George Stacey Hodson

Air Vice Marshal George Stacey Hodson began his military career as an English World War I flying ace credited with 10 aerial victories. In the course of his 34 years service to his nation, he rose to become a major commander during World War II.

Personal life
George Stacey Hodson was born on 2 May 1899. He was educated at Dulwich School. He died on 1 October 1976 at Bognor Regis.

Promotions and appointments
9 September 1917: commissioned as a probationary temporary second lieutenant in the British Army; advanced to temporary second lieutenant on 28 October 1917. Later promoted to lieutenant.

1 April 1918: became lieutenant in the Royal Air Force on its first day in existence.

Duty assignments
9 September 1917: began pilot training in the Royal Flying Corps. Upon completion of training, on 28 October 1917 he was posted to 73 Squadron as a pilot.

April 1918: assigned to instructor duty.

August 1918: transferred to 213 Squadron as a pilot.

Promotions and appointments
1 August 1919: appointed Flying Officer

24 October 1919: granted short service commission as Flying Officer.

17 December 1920: granted permanent commission as Flying Officer; seniority 24 October 1919.

1 July 1925: promoted to Flight Lieutenant

1 August 1935: promoted to Squadron Leader.

1 July 1938: promoted to Wing Commander

Duty assignments
March 1919: pilot at No. 11 Aircraft Park

Assigned to the Care and Maintenance Party, RAF Norwich. 1 April 1920: assigned to same duty at RAF Lincoln.

15 March 1921: posted to No. 1 Flying Training School.

14 September 1923: assigned to 55 Squadron.

17 October 1925: posted to No. 4 Flying Training School.

14 February 1928: supernumerary to RAF Depot.

30 July 1928: assigned to No. 5 Flying Training School.

21 February 1931: assigned as Flight Commander in 58 Squadron. 7 October: became Adjutant and Instructor.

1 October 1935: assigned as Squadron Commander of No. 11 Flying Training School.

24 February 1938: began an exchange posting with the Royal New Zealand Air Force. April 1938: took command of RNZAF Wigram near Christchurch, New Zealand.

Promotions and appointments
1 December 1940: appointed temporary Group Captain

June 1942: surrendered command of RNZAF Wigram.

1 November 1942: appointed acting Air Commodore.

1 May 1943: promoted to War Substantive Wing Commander.

1 December 1943: appointed temporary Air Commodore

9 August 1944: appointed acting Air Vice Marshal

23 January 1945: confirmed as Group Captain with seniority of 1 June 1944.

9 August 1945: appointed War Substantive Air Commodore.

1 September 1945: relinquished appointment as acting Air Vice Marshal.

Duty assignments
6 April 1940: exchange posting with the Royal New Zealand Air Force altered to special duty.

1 May 1943: became Air Officer Commanding, No. 44 Base RAF, RAF Holme-on-Spalding Moor.

9 August 1944: assigned as Air Officer Commanding, No. 93 Group RAF.

23 February 1945: assigned as AOC No. 92 Group RAF.

August 1945: Air Officer Training, Headquarters RAF Bomber Command

Promotions and appointments
19 January 1947: again appointed acting Air Vice Marshal.

1 July 1947: promoted to Air Commodore.

1 January 1950: promoted to Air Vice Marshal.

Duty assignments
1 April 1946 assigned as Air Officer in Charge of Administration at HQs, RAF Coastal Command.

1 February 1947: posted as AOC No. 205 Group RAF. During this posting, he was in charge of relocating airfields in Egypt from the Nile Delta south along the shores of the Suez Canal. His headquarters switched from Heliopolis to RAF Fayid, even as 205 Squadron was stripped of its Lancasters. They were replaced by rotating detachments of Lincolns from RAF Bomber Command.

30 December 1949: Senior Air Staff Officer, HQ RAF Reserve Command

1 August 1950: SASO HQ RAF Home Command.

7 September 1951: retired from Royal Air Force.

Honors and awards

 * On 3 June 1919 Hodson was awarded the Air Force Cross.
 * On 15 July 1919 Hodson was awarded the Croix de guerre by the Kingdom of Belgium.
 * In the King's Birthday Honours 1942 Hodson was appointed as a Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire.
 * In the New Year Honours 1946, Hodson was appointed as a Companion of The Most Honourable Order of the Bath.

List of aerial victories
First four victories scored while with No. 73 Squadron RAF; remainder scored with No. 213 Squadron RAF.