George Hackwill

Captain George Henry Hackwill MC was an English World War I flying ace credited with nine aerial victories. His most notable victory was his role in capturing a German Gotha G.V bomber that was attacking Britain.

Early life
George Henry Hackwill was born in Langtree, North Devon, England. After service in the Somerset Light Infantry at the start of World War I, he transferred to the Royal Flying Corps in 1915.

World War I
On 21 April 1916, he was appointed a Flying Officer as a temporary second lieutenant in the Somerset Light Infantry and transferred to the General List of the Royal Flying Corps, indicating he had completed training. Hackwill was initially assigned to 22 Squadron, and scored his first two victories in 1916. He then served as an instructor for a while in 1917 before he was assigned to 44 (Home Defence) Squadron. On 1 October 1917 he was serving as a temporary lieutenant when he was appointed temporary captain while assigned as a Flight Commander. His next aerial victory was a spectacular one; on 25 January 1918, he and Charles C. Banks shot down a gigantic Gotha V bomber for the first victory over German night intruders attacking Britain. On 9 February 1918, he was awarded the Military Cross for this feat, the Cross being presented by his sovereign, King George V.

""For conspicuous gallantry displayed when they engaged and shot down a Gotha raiding London. During the engagement, which lasted a considerable time, they were continually under fire from the enemy machine.""

Hackwill went on to score six more victories after being reassigned to 54 Squadron in France. Not reflected in his victory list is the LVG he bombed and destroyed on 30 October 1918 while it sat on a German airfield he was raiding.

After World War I
On 15 April 1919, Hackwill was moved to the unemployed list of the Royal Air Force.

Hackwill moved to Southern Rhodesia and became Member of Parliament for Lomagundi.