Lanoe George Hawker
Captain, No. 6 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps
- Register No.
- 547 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Captain all Captains →
- Unit
- No. 6 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps (register: No. 6 Squadron RFC) all No. 6 Squadron RFC VCs →
- Date of action
- 25 July 1915 on this day → all of 1915 →
- Conflict / campaign
- First World War
- London Gazette
- 24th August, 1915 on this day → all of 1915 →
- Born
- 30th December, 1890 at Longparish, Hampshire
- Died
- 23rd November, 1916 near Bapaume, France. (killed in action)
- Memorial / grave
- , his name on appears on the Arras Memorial, France and in Longparish Church, Hampshire
- Medal held by
- the RAF Museum, Hendon, London
Digest of citation
On 25th July 1915 when on patrol over France, Captain Hawker attacked three German aircraft in succession. The first, after he had emptied a complete drum of bullets into it, went spinning down, the second was driven to the ground damaged, and the third which he attacked at a height of about 10,000 ft burst into flames and crashed. This particular sortie was just one of the many courageous exploits which Captain Walker had undertaken during almost a year of constant operational flying and fighting
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
HAWKER, Lanoe George, (reg No. 547).
Captain. No. 6 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps.
London Gazetted on 24th August, 1915.
Born on 30th December, 1890 at Longparish, Hampshire.
Died on 23rd November, 1916 near Bapaume, France. (killed in action).
Memorials, his name on appears on the Arras Memorial, France and in Longparish Church, Hampshire. VCs Medal's Custodian is the RAF Museum, Hendon, London.
Digest of Citation reads: On 25th July 1915 when on patrol over France, Captain Hawker attacked three German aircraft in succession. The first, after he had emptied a complete drum of bullets into it, went spinning down, the second was driven to the ground damaged, and the third which he attacked at a height of about 10,000 ft burst into flames and crashed. This particular sortie was just one of the many courageous exploits which Captain Walker had undertaken during almost a year of constant operational flying and fighting.
Additional information:. Captain Hawker also held the Distinguished Service Order (DSO). He was the son of Lieutenant H C Hawker RN., of Home Croft, Longparish, Hampshire. He was educated at the Royal Naval College at Dartmouth and at the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich. In July 1911 he joined the Royal Corps of Engineers and was promoted to lieutenant in October 1913, transferring to the Royal Flying Corps in October 1914. He served in the European War (WWI) as a Flight Commander. This was followed by promotion, in February 1916, to Squadron Commander with the rank of Major. For attacking the German airship sheds at Gontrode with bombs, from an altitude of only 200 ft, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order. Lieutenant Hawker was presented with this decoration by King George V. He was also presented with the Victoria Cross by his Majesty at a later date. At first, in November 1916, he was reported missing, but later was recorded as being killed in action. His obituary appeared in the 'Times' on the 26th July 1917.
Additional information
Captain Hawker also held the Distinguished Service Order (DSO). He was the son of Lieutenant H C Hawker RN., of Home Croft, Longparish, Hampshire. He was educated at the Royal Naval College at Dartmouth and at the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich. In July 1911 he joined the Royal Corps of Engineers and was promoted to lieutenant in October 1913, transferring to the Royal Flying Corps in October 1914. He served in the European War (WWI) as a Flight Commander. This was followed by promotion, in February 1916, to Squadron Commander with the rank of Major. For attacking the German airship sheds at Gontrode with bombs, from an altitude of only 200 ft, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order. Lieutenant Hawker was presented with this decoration by King George V. He was also presented with the Victoria Cross by his Majesty at a later date. At first, in November 1916, he was reported missing, but later was recorded as being killed in action. His obituary appeared in the 'Times' on the 26th July 1917.
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: , his name on appears on the Arras Memorial, France and in Longparish Church, Hampshire
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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