# Tom F. Hazell

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Flying Ace and Royal Air Force Squadron Leader (1892-1946)

Thomas Falcon Hazell Born (1892-08-07)7 August 1892 Roundstone, County Galway, Ireland Died 4 September 1946(1946-09-04) (aged 54) Newport, County Mayo, Ireland Buried Burrishoole Church of Ireland Cemetery, Newport, County Mayo, Ireland Allegiance United Kingdom Branch British Army Royal Air Force Service years 1914–1927 Rank Squadron leader Unit South Irish Horse Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers No. 1 Squadron RFC No. 24 Squadron RAF Commands No. 203 Squadron RAF No. 55 Squadron RAF No. 45 Squadron RAF No. 111 Squadron RAF Conflicts World War I Western Front World War II Awards Distinguished Service Order Military Cross Distinguished Flying Cross & Bar

**Thomas Falcon Hazell** [DSO](/source/Distinguished_Service_Order), [MC](/source/Military_Cross), [DFC](/source/Distinguished_Flying_Cross_(United_Kingdom)) & [Bar](/source/Medal_bar) (7 August 1892 – 4 September 1946) was a fighter pilot with the [Royal Flying Corps](/source/Royal_Flying_Corps), and later, the [Royal Air Force](/source/Royal_Air_Force) during the [First World War](/source/First_World_War). Hazell scored 43 victories in 1917–18 making him the fifth most successful British "[flying ace](/source/Flying_ace)" of the war,[1] and the third most successful Irish-born pilot, behind [Edward Mannock](/source/Edward_Mannock) and [George McElroy](/source/George_McElroy), as well the only pilot to survive the war from both groups.[2]

## Early life

Hazell was born in [Roundstone, County Galway](/source/Roundstone%2C_County_Galway), on the west coast of Ireland, to Thomas Hazell and Cecile Buckley (daughter of VC recipient [Cecil Buckley](/source/Cecil_Buckley)). He attended [Tonbridge School](/source/Tonbridge_School) until 1911.

## First World War

Upon the outbreak of the war in August 1914, Hazell volunteered for service as a private with the [South Irish Horse](/source/South_Irish_Horse). On 10 October he was commissioned as second lieutenant[3] in the 7th Battalion, [Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers](/source/Royal_Inniskilling_Fusiliers). As part of the [49th Brigade](/source/49th_Infantry_Brigade_(United_Kingdom)) in the [16th (Irish) Division](/source/16th_(Irish)_Division), the 7th Inniskillings were initially based at Tipperary,[4] where Hazell was promoted to lieutenant on 4 June 1915.[5] His regiment moved to [Finner Camp](/source/Finner_Camp) in August 1915, and moved to Woking in England in September. The regiment landed in France in February 1916.[4]

Soon after Hazell transferred to the [Royal Flying Corps](/source/Royal_Flying_Corps). In April and May he was assigned to No. 5 Reserve Squadron, based at Castle Bromwich.[6] He was appointed a flying officer on 5 June,[7] and survived a severe crash before completing his training, and eventually joined No. 1 Squadron on the [Western Front](/source/Western_Front_(World_War_I)). Flying [Nieuport 17](/source/Nieuport_17) Scouts, he shot down 20 enemy aircraft between March and August 1917,[1] being appointed a [flight commander](/source/Flight_commander) with the acting rank of captain on 25 May,[8] and was awarded the [Military Cross](/source/Military_Cross) on 26 July. His citation read:

Temporary Lieutenant Thomas Falcon Hazell, General List and Royal Flying Corps. For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. On several occasions he displayed marked courage and determination in attacking and destroying hostile aircraft.[9]

Between 25 May and 25 June 1918 he served as an instructor at the [Central Flying School](/source/Central_Flying_School), with the acting rank of major.[10] He then took command of "A" Flight, No. 24 Squadron, flying the [S.E.5a](/source/Royal_Aircraft_Factory_S.E.5). On 22 August 1918, Hazell shot down an observation balloon despite its escort of seven [Fokker D.VIIs](/source/Fokker_D.VII). The escort was led by German ace [Ernst Udet](/source/Ernst_Udet), who attacked and riddled Hazell's petrol tank, propeller, and two longerons with bullets. In spite of this Hazell fought his way back, eyes full of petrol, and landed safely. Udet thought that he had forced the British pilot to crash, and actually claimed him as his 60th victory. Hazell finished the war with 43 confirmed kills, the top British surviving ace of the 1914–18 war (excluding Dominion airmen).

His claims tally consisted of one captured enemy aircraft; ten enemy observation [balloons destroyed](/source/Balloon_buster) (two of which were shared); 18 enemy aircraft destroyed (including one shared); and fourteen aircraft driven down 'out of control' (including three shared).[11]

Hazell was twice awarded the [Distinguished Flying Cross](/source/Distinguished_Flying_Cross_(United_Kingdom)), and both were [gazetted](/source/Gazetted) on 2 November 1918. His citations read:

Lieutenant (Temporary Captain) Tom Falcon Hazell, MC. This officer is conspicuous for his bravery and skill, having destroyed twenty enemy machines and four kite balloons. On one occasion, while attacking troops on the ground, he observed seven enemy scouts above him; he at once engaged them, shooting down one out of control. Some days later he, with another pilot, attacked a kite balloon, driving it down in flames; they then attacked a second balloon, driving it down in a deflated condition.[12]

Lieutenant (Temporary Captain) Tom Falcon Hazell, MC, DFC. This officer has accounted for twenty-seven enemy machines and four kite balloons. On the 8th August he shot down two machines out of control, and destroyed a third in the air. In these combats he was so heavily engaged that all his instruments were wrecked, and only one strand of his elevator control cable was intact. Relentless in attack, Capt. Hazell displays disregard of personal danger in a marked degree.[13]

On 22 October he was appointed a squadron commander with the acting rank of major,[14] taking command of [No. 203 Squadron](/source/No._203_Squadron_RAF), flying [Sopwith Camels](/source/Sopwith_Camel), remaining there until 2 April 1919.[15]

On 8 February 1919 he was awarded the [Distinguished Service Order](/source/Distinguished_Service_Order). His citation read:

Captain (Acting Major) Tom Falcon Hazell, MC, DFC. A brilliant fighter, distinguished for his bold determination and rare courage, he has accounted for twenty-nine enemy machines, twenty being destroyed and nine driven down out of control; he has also destroyed ten balloons. On 4th September he rendered exceptionally valuable service in leading his flight to attack hostile balloons that were making a certain road impassable. Within an hour three of these balloons were destroyed, Major Hazell accounting for two.[16]

## Post-war career

On 1 August 1919 Hazell was granted a permanent commission in the Royal Air Force as a captain,[17] returning to No. 24 Squadron.[18] In June 1920 he took part in the RAF's Aerial Pageant at [Hendon](/source/Hendon_Aerodrome), in which he shot down a [kite balloon](/source/Kite_balloon) from a [Sopwith Snipe](/source/Sopwith_Snipe).[19]

He was promoted from [flight lieutenant](/source/Flight_lieutenant) to [squadron leader](/source/Squadron_leader) on 30 June 1922,[20] and commanded [No. 55 Squadron](/source/No._55_Squadron_RAF), and briefly [No. 45 Squadron](/source/No._45_Squadron_RAF), as part of [Iraq Command](/source/RAF_Iraq_Command).[21] On 22 July 1923 he was posted to the RAF Depot, on his return to the Home Establishment.[22] On 1 December 1923 he was appointed to command of [No. 111 Squadron](/source/No._111_Squadron_RAF), based at [Duxford](/source/RAF_Duxford).[23] On 11 June 1927 he returned to the RAF Depot at [Uxbridge](/source/RAF_Uxbridge),[24] and on 20 July was placed on the retired list at his own request.[25]

## Later life and death

In 1944, at the age of 52, Hazell became the commander of "D" Company, 24th (Tettenhall) Battalion, South Staffordshire [Home Guard](/source/Home_Guard_(United_Kingdom)) during the later part of the [Second World War](/source/Second_World_War).[26]

Hazell died in [Newport, County Mayo](/source/Newport%2C_County_Mayo), Ireland, on 4 September 1946, and is buried at the Burrishoole Church of Ireland Cemetery there. In 2014 his grave, which had been largely forgotten and neglected, was restored, repaired, and re-dedicated in a ceremony which was held on 4 August 2014, the 100th anniversary of the declaration of the First World War.[27]

## See also

- [List of World War I aces credited with 20 or more victories](/source/List_of_World_War_I_aces_credited_with_20_or_more_victories)

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-theaerodrome_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-theaerodrome_1-1) ["Tom Falcon Hazell"](http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/ireland/hazell.php). *The Aerodrome*. 2015. Retrieved 21 March 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** Baynes, Michael (27 July 2014). ["Mayo World War One Commemorations"](http://www.castlebar.ie/Nostalgia_and_History/World-War-One-Commemorations.shtml). *Castlebar News*. Retrieved 21 March 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["No. 28953"](https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/28953/page/8645). *The London Gazette*. 27 October 1914. p. 8645.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Inniskillings_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Inniskillings_4-1) Baker, Chris (2015). ["The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers in 1914–1918"](http://www.1914-1918.net/skins.htm). *The Long, Long Trail: the British Army in the Great War of 1914–1918*. Retrieved 21 March 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["No. 29238"](https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/29238/supplement/7179). *The London Gazette* (Supplement). 20 July 1915. p. 7179.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["RFC and RAF men in Warwickshire"](http://www.aviationarchaeology.org.uk/marg/officersf-l.htm). *Midland Aircraft Recovery Group*. 2015. Retrieved 21 March 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["No. 29643"](https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/29643/supplement/6414). *The London Gazette* (Supplement). 27 June 1916. p. 6414.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["No. 30127"](https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/30127/supplement/5817). *The London Gazette* (Supplement). 12 June 1917. p. 5817.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["No. 30204"](https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/30204/supplement/7630). *The London Gazette* (Supplement). 24 July 1917. p. 7630.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["No. 30846"](https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/30846/page/9581). *The London Gazette*. 16 August 1918. p. 9581.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** Shores, Christopher F.; [Franks, Norman](/source/Norman_Franks) & Guest, Russell F. (1990). [*Above the Trenches: a Complete Record of the Fighter Aces and Units of the British Empire Air Forces 1915–1920*](https://archive.org/details/abovetrenchescom00shor). London, UK: Grub Street. p. [190](https://archive.org/details/abovetrenchescom00shor/page/n104). [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-948817-19-9](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-948817-19-9).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["No. 30989"](https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/30989/supplement/12966). *The London Gazette* (Supplement). 1 November 1918. p. 12966.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["No. 30989"](https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/30989/supplement/12960). *The London Gazette* (Supplement). 1 November 1918. p. 12960.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** ["No. 30992"](https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/30992/page/13002). *The London Gazette*. 5 November 1918. pp. 13002–13003.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** ["No. 31336"](https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/31336/page/5918). *The London Gazette*. 13 May 1919. p. 5918.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** ["No. 31170"](https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/31170/page/2031). *The London Gazette*. 7 February 1919. pp. 2031–2032.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** ["No. 31486"](https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/31486/page/9867). *The London Gazette*. 1 August 1919. p. 9867.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** ["No. 31448"](https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/31448/supplement/8840). *The London Gazette* (Supplement). 8 July 1919. p. 8840.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** ["The Royal Air Force Aerial Pageant"](http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1920/1920%20-%200710.html). *[Flight](/source/Flight_International)*. **XII** (602): 710. 8 July 1920. Retrieved 21 March 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** ["No. 32725"](https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/32725/page/4942). *The London Gazette*. 30 June 1922. p. 4942.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** ["Royal Air Force: Appointments"](http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1922/1922%20-%200791.html). *[Flight](/source/Flight_International)*. **XIV** (731): 791. 28 December 1922. Retrieved 21 March 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-22)** ["Royal Air Force: Appointments"](http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1923/1923%20-%200523.html). *[Flight](/source/Flight_International)*. **XV** (766): 523. 30 August 1923. Retrieved 21 March 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-23)** ["Royal Air Force: Appointments"](http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1923/1923%20-%200731.html). *[Flight](/source/Flight_International)*. **XV** (779): 731. 29 November 1923. Retrieved 21 March 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-24)** ["Royal Air Force: Appointments"](http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1927/1927%20-%200547.html). *[Flight](/source/Flight_International)*. **XIX** (969): 505. 21 July 1927. Retrieved 21 March 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-25)** ["No. 33295"](https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/33295/supplement/4649). *The London Gazette* (Supplement). 19 July 1927. p. 4649.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-26)** ["The Pattingham Home Guard"](http://www.staffshomeguard.co.uk/DotherReminiscences10staffshg.htm). *Staffordshire Home Guard*. 2009. Retrieved 22 March 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-27)** ["Major Thomas Falcon Hazell DSO, MC, DFC & Bar"](http://www.mayopeacepark.ie/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=505:major-thomas-falcon-hazell-dso-mc-dfc-a-bar&catid=1:articles-and-stories&Itemid=73). *[Mayo Peace Park](/source/Mayo_Peace_Park)*. 2015. Retrieved 21 March 2015.

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Tom F. Hazell](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_F._Hazell) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_F._Hazell?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.