David Ernest Hornell
Flight Lieutenant, 162 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
- Register No.
- 596 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Flight Lieutenant all Flight Lieutenants →
- Unit
- 162 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force (register: No. 162 Squadron RCAF) all No. 162 Squadron RCAF VCs →
- Date of action
- 24 June 1944 on this day → all of 1944 →
- Conflict / campaign
- Second World War
- London Gazette
- 28th July, 1944 on this day → all of 1944 →
- Born
- 26th January, 1910 at Mimico, Ontario, Canada
- Died
- 25th June 1944 near at the Faroes, North Atlantic
- Award
- Posthumous all posthumous VCs →
- Memorial / grave
- at Lerwick New Cemetery, Mainland, Shetland Isles
Digest of citation
On 24th June, 1944 on sea patrol in the North Atlantic, Flight Lieutenant Hornell's twin engined amphibian aircraft was attacked and badly damaged by an enemy submarine, nevertheless he succeeded in sinking it and then with superhuman effort managed to bring his aircraft down on the heavy swell, blazing furiously. There was only one serviceable dingy which could not hold all the crew so they took it in turns in the water. By the time the survivors were rescued after 21 hours, Flight Lieutenant Hornell was blinded and weak from exposure and cold. He died shortly after being picked up
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
HORNELL, David Ernest. (reg No. 596)
Flight Lieutenant. 162 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force.
London Gazetted on 28th July, 1944.
Born on 26th January, 1910 at Mimico, Ontario, Canada.
Died on 25th June 1944 near at the Faroes, North Atlantic.
Memorial on grave at Lerwick New Cemetery, Mainland, Shetland Isles.
Digest of Citation reads: On 24th June, 1944 on sea patrol in the North Atlantic, Flight Lieutenant Hornell's twin engined amphibian aircraft was attacked and badly damaged by an enemy submarine, nevertheless he succeeded in sinking it and then with superhuman effort managed to bring his aircraft down on the heavy swell, blazing furiously. There was only one serviceable dingy which could not hold all the crew so they took it in turns in the water. By the time the survivors were rescued after 21 hours, Flight Lieutenant Hornell was blinded and weak from exposure and cold. He died shortly after being picked up.
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: at Lerwick New Cemetery, Mainland, Shetland Isles
Map links open a search for the place name Alf recorded; please check opening times and exact locations before travelling. Many VC graves have since been restored by the Victoria Cross Trust.
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