| Geoffrey William Hemming | |
|---|---|
| Born | 3 April 1898 Worcester, England |
| Died | 26 February 1926 RAF Calshot, England |
| Allegiance | UK |
| Service/branch | Aviation |
| Rank | Flight Sub Lieutenant |
| Unit | No. 4 Squadron RNAS |
| Awards | Distinguished Service Cross, Belgian Order of the Crown and Croix de Guerre, French Croix de Guerre |
Flight Sub Lieutenant Geoffrey William Hemming, DSC, RAF (3 April 1898–26 February 1926) was a British World War I flying ace credited with six aerial victories.[1]
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Hemming joined 4 Naval Squadron just after its foundation. It was equipped with Sopwith Pups, and based at Ostend, Belgium. Hemming piloted Pup No. N6177 to victory over a Siemens-Schuckert D.I, destroying it on 12 May 1917. He switched to No. N6199 for his victories on 6 June, when he destroyed another Siemens Schuckert D.I, and drove a third one down out of control. He then upgraded to Sopwith Camel No. B3841 for his triple win on 22 August 1917, when he drove down three Albatros D.Vs out of control.[2]
Geoffrey Hemming married Dorothy May Woods, daughter of Mr. and Mrs R. J. Woods, of Princetown Lodge, Bangor, County Down, on 7 February 1923 at St. Comgall's Parish Church, Bangor, County Down. Dorothy Hemmings' son, Desmond Wettern, was Naval Correspondent of The Daily Telegraph.
Geoffrey William Hemming perished in a flying accident with a Fairey III.D at RAF Calshot on 26 February 1926.[3]
Distinguished Service Cross (DSC)
Flt. Sub-Lieut. Geoffrey William Hemming, R.N.A.S.
In recognition of his services with a Wing of the R.N.A.S. at Dunkirk between March and September, 1917, during which period he has been continuously employed on the Belgian coast, and on many occasions has been in charge of a flight. On the 22nd September, 1917, he led his flight against a formation of twenty enemy aircraft, and engaging three consecutively, brought them all down.[4]
Above the Trenches: a Complete Record of the Fighter Aces and Units of the British Empire Air Forces 1915-1920. Christopher F. Shores, Norman L. R. Franks, Russell Guest. Grub Street, 1990. ISBN 0-948817-19-4, 9780948817199.