Herbert George Hegarty

Captain Herbert George Hegarty was a World War I flying ace credited with eight aerial victories.

George Hegarty was born in Clonbur, Co. Galway on 31st October 1885. He joined the Hongkong and Shanghai Bank and worked in Hong Kong. He served in the Hong Kong Volunteers from October 1911 - 1917 when he returned to the United Kingdom and joined the Royal Flying Corps in June 1917 as a 2nd Lieutenant. After pilot training he was posted to No. 60 Squadron in November 1917 flying an S.E.5. He was awarded the Military Cross after defeating six enemy aircraft and later shot down two more. In July 1918, he returned to the United Kingdom as an Instructor. He was discharged from service in 1919 and returned to his job in Hong Kong.