John E. L. Hunter

Captain John Ellis Langford Hunter (31 January 1897 - 18 June 1971) was a World War I flying ace credited with 12 confirmed aerial victories.

Hunter joined 4 Squadron of the Royal Naval Air Service as a Sopwith Camel pilot in July 1917. On 3 September, he teamed with another British pilot to drive down a German observation plane out of control. On the 22nd, he shared one of his two victories when he shot down two seaplanes northeast of Ostend. There was a six month lull; then he destroyed a Pfalz D.III on 21 March 1918, and continued to score sporadically until 12 August 1918. On the latter day, he flamed one Fokker D.VII, destroyed another, and drove a third down out of control, to bring his total to 12. He suffered a leg wound in the process. His final tally was eight destroyed, four brought down out of control.

Ellis died in South Africa in 1971.

Honours and awards
Distinguished Service Cross (DSC)

Flt. Sub-Lieut. John Ellis Langford Hunter, R.N.A.S. In recognition of his services with a Wing of the R.N.A.S. at Dunkirk between July and September, 1917, during which time he has carried out continuous work on offensive patrols. On 22 September 1917, he destroyed two enemy aircraft which were attempting to interfere with our spotting machines. Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)

Lieut. (T./Capt.) John Ellis Langford Hunter, D.S.C. (Sea Patrol). A fine fighting pilot and flight leader. On 12 September, whilst leading his formation on escort duty, he engaged nine Fokker biplanes. He destroyed two and drove a third down out of control. In this combat he was severely wounded in the leg.