| D'Arcy Fowlis Hilton | |
|---|---|
| Born | 17 October 1889 Toronto, Canada |
| Died | October 1973 (aged 83-84) St Catharines, Ontario, Canada |
| Allegiance | George V of the British Empire |
| Service/branch | Aviation |
| Years of service | 1917 - ca 1918 |
| Rank | Lieutenant |
| Unit | No. 29 Squadron RAF |
| Awards | Military Cross, Air Force Cross |
Lieutenant D'Arcy Fowlis Hilton was an American World War I flying ace credited with eight aerial victories.[1]
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D'Arcy Fowlis Hilton was the son of Francis Alfred and Isabel Grace Milligan Hilton.[2] Though born in Canada, he called Michigan home; he also lived in Youngstown, New York.[3]
On 28 January 1914, he married Gladys Caroline Woodruff in St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada.[4][5] They separated in 1916, after a son was born, and he went to England and joined the Royal Flying Corps in November. He was commissioned a second lieutenant on 21 November 1916.[6]
Hilton earned his Royal Aero Club Certificate No. 4717 on 17 May 1917. He was then assigned to fly a Nieuport 17 with 29 Squadron. On 31 July 1917, he destroyed an Albatros D.V fighter and an observation balloon. Over the next three and a half months, he proceeded to drive down out of control five more D.Vs and an observation plane, with the last victory coming on 13 November 1917.[7] He was gazetted the Military Cross on 17 December 1917.[8][9] Following his tour of combat, Fowler became a flight instructor in both England and Canada, and earned the Air Force Cross in the process.[10]
Gladys Caroline Woodruff sued him for divorce via act of legislature in 1922.[11] He was then estranged from his family until early in World War II when his son was killed in aerial combat.[12]
Military Cross (MC)
2nd/Lt. D'Arcy Fowlis Hilton, R.F.C., Spec. Res.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in attacking enemy aircraft and engaging troops on the ground. While on patrol he attacked single-handed six two-seater machines, forcing one down and driving the rest back. He has driven down five other machines. Supplement to the London Gazette, 23 April 1918 (30645/4871)[13][14]