{{Short description|Flying Ace and Royal Air Force Squadron Leader (1892-1946)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=October 2021}} {{Use British English|date=March 2015}} <!-- This article is a part of [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft]] and [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Biography/Military]]. --> {{Infobox military person |name = Thomas Falcon Hazell |image = |image_size = |alt = |caption = |birth_date = {{Birth date|1892|8|7|df=y}} |death_date = {{Death date and age|1946|9|4|1892|8|7|df=y}} |birth_place = [[Roundstone, County Galway]], Ireland |death_place = [[Newport, County Mayo]], Ireland |burial_place = Burrishoole Church of Ireland Cemetery, Newport, County Mayo, Ireland |allegiance = United Kingdom |branch = [[British Army]]<br/>[[Royal Air Force]] |service_years = 1914–1927 |rank = [[Squadron leader]] |unit = {{Plainlist| * [[South Irish Horse]] * [[Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers]] * [[No. 1 Squadron RFC]] * [[No. 24 Squadron RAF]] }} |commands = {{Plainlist| * [[No. 203 Squadron RAF]] * [[No. 55 Squadron RAF]] * [[No. 45 Squadron RAF]] * [[No. 111 Squadron RAF]] }} |battles = {{tree list}} * [[World War I]] ** [[Western Front (World War I)|Western Front]] * [[World War II]] {{tree list/end}} |awards = [[Distinguished Service Order]]<br/>[[Military Cross]]<br/>[[Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)|Distinguished Flying Cross]] & [[Medal bar|Bar]] |relations = |other_work = }}
'''Thomas Falcon Hazell''' {{post-nominals|country=GBR|size=100%|sep=,|DSO|MC|DFC}} & [[Medal bar|Bar]] (7 August 1892 – 4 September 1946) was a fighter pilot with the [[Royal Flying Corps]], and later, the [[Royal Air Force]] during the [[First World War]]. Hazell scored 43 victories in 1917–18 making him the fifth most successful British "[[flying ace]]" of the war,<ref name="theaerodrome">{{cite web |url=http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/ireland/hazell.php |title=Tom Falcon Hazell |work=The Aerodrome |year=2015 |accessdate=21 March 2015 }}</ref> and the third most successful Irish-born pilot, behind [[Edward Mannock]] and [[George McElroy]], as well the only pilot to survive the war from both groups.<ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.castlebar.ie/Nostalgia_and_History/World-War-One-Commemorations.shtml |title=Mayo World War One Commemorations |first=Michael |last=Baynes |work=Castlebar News |date=27 July 2014 |accessdate=21 March 2015}}</ref>
==Early life== Hazell was born in [[Roundstone, County Galway]], on the west coast of Ireland, to Thomas Hazell and Cecile Buckley (daughter of VC recipient [[Cecil Buckley]]). He attended [[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]]. On 10 October he was commissioned as second lieutenant<ref>{{London Gazette |date=27 October 1914 |issue=28953 |page=8645 |nolink=yes}}</ref> in the 7th Battalion, [[Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers]]. As part of the [[49th Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom)|49th Brigade]] in the [[16th (Irish) Division]], the 7th Inniskillings were initially based at Tipperary,<ref name="Inniskillings">{{cite web |url= http://www.1914-1918.net/skins.htm |title=The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers in 1914–1918 |first=Chris |last=Baker |work=The Long, Long Trail: the British Army in the Great War of 1914–1918 |year=2015 |accessdate=21 March 2015}}</ref> where Hazell was promoted to lieutenant on 4 June 1915.<ref>{{London Gazette |date=20 July 1915 |supp=y |issue=29238 |page=7179 |nolink=yes}}</ref> His regiment moved to [[Finner Camp]] in August 1915, and moved to Woking in England in September. The regiment landed in France in February 1916.<ref name="Inniskillings"/>
Soon after Hazell transferred to the [[Royal Flying Corps]]. In April and May he was assigned to No. 5 Reserve Squadron, based at Castle Bromwich.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.aviationarchaeology.org.uk/marg/officersf-l.htm |title=RFC and RAF men in Warwickshire |work=Midland Aircraft Recovery Group |year=2015 |accessdate=21 March 2015}}</ref> He was appointed a flying officer on 5 June,<ref>{{London Gazette |date=27 June 1916 |supp=y |issue=29643 |page=6414 |nolink=yes}}</ref> and survived a severe crash before completing his training, and eventually joined No. 1 Squadron on the [[Western Front (World War I)|Western Front]]. Flying [[Nieuport 17]] Scouts, he shot down 20 enemy aircraft between March and August 1917,<ref name="theaerodrome"/> being appointed a [[flight commander]] with the acting rank of captain on 25 May,<ref>{{London Gazette |date=12 June 1917 |supp=y |issue=30127 |page=5817 |nolink=yes}}</ref> and was awarded the [[Military Cross]] on 26 July. His citation read:
{{quote|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.<ref>{{London Gazette |date=24 July 1917 |supp=y |issue=30204 |page=7630 |nolink=yes}}</ref>}}
Between 25 May and 25 June 1918 he served as an instructor at the [[Central Flying School]], with the acting rank of major.<ref>{{London Gazette |date=16 August 1918 |issue=30846 |page=9581 |nolink=yes}}</ref> He then took command of "A" Flight, No. 24 Squadron, flying the [[Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5|S.E.5a]]. On 22 August 1918, Hazell shot down an observation balloon despite its escort of seven [[Fokker D.VII]]s. The escort was led by German ace [[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 [[Balloon buster|balloons destroyed]] (two of which were shared); 18 enemy aircraft destroyed (including one shared); and fourteen aircraft driven down 'out of control' (including three shared).<ref>{{cite book |first1=Christopher F. |last1=Shores |first2=Norman |last2=Franks |authorlink2=Norman Franks |first3=Russell F. |last3=Guest |title=Above the Trenches: a Complete Record of the Fighter Aces and Units of the British Empire Air Forces 1915–1920 |url=https://archive.org/details/abovetrenchescom00shor |url-access=limited |location=London, UK |publisher=Grub Street |year=1990 |isbn=978-0-948817-19-9 |name-list-style=amp |page=[https://archive.org/details/abovetrenchescom00shor/page/n104 190]}}</ref>
Hazell was twice awarded the [[Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)|Distinguished Flying Cross]], and both were [[gazetted]] on 2 November 1918. His citations read:
{{quote|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.<ref>{{London Gazette |date=1 November 1918 |supp=y |issue=30989 |page=12966 |nolink=yes}}</ref>}}
{{quote|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.<ref>{{London Gazette |date=1 November 1918 |supp=y |issue=30989 |page=12960 |nolink=yes}}</ref>}}
On 22 October he was appointed a squadron commander with the acting rank of major,<ref>{{London Gazette |date=5 November 1918 |issue=30992 |pages=13002–13003 |nolink=yes}}</ref> taking command of [[No. 203 Squadron RAF|No. 203 Squadron]], flying [[Sopwith Camel]]s, remaining there until 2 April 1919.<ref>{{London Gazette |date=13 May 1919 |issue=31336 |page=5918 |nolink=yes}}</ref>
On 8 February 1919 he was awarded the [[Distinguished Service Order]]. His citation read: {{quote|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.<ref>{{London Gazette |date=7 February 1919 |issue=31170 |pages=2031–2032 |nolink=yes}}</ref>}}
==Post-war career== On 1 August 1919 Hazell was granted a permanent commission in the Royal Air Force as a captain,<ref>{{London Gazette |date=1 August 1919 |issue=31486 |page=9867 |nolink=yes}}</ref> returning to No. 24 Squadron.<ref>{{London Gazette |date=8 July 1919 |supp=y |issue=31448 |page=8840 |nolink=yes}}</ref> In June 1920 he took part in the RAF's Aerial Pageant at [[Hendon Aerodrome|Hendon]], in which he shot down a [[kite balloon]] from a [[Sopwith Snipe]].<ref>{{cite journal |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1920/1920%20-%200710.html |title=The Royal Air Force Aerial Pageant |issue=602 |volume=XII |page=710 |journal=[[Flight International|Flight]] |date=8 July 1920 |accessdate=21 March 2015 }}</ref>
He was promoted from [[flight lieutenant]] to [[squadron leader]] on 30 June 1922,<ref>{{London Gazette |date=30 June 1922 |issue=32725 |page=4942 |nolink=yes}}</ref> and commanded [[No. 55 Squadron RAF|No. 55 Squadron]], and briefly [[No. 45 Squadron RAF|No. 45 Squadron]], as part of [[RAF Iraq Command|Iraq Command]].<ref>{{cite journal |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1922/1922%20-%200791.html |title=Royal Air Force: Appointments |issue=731 |volume=XIV |page=791 |journal=[[Flight International|Flight]] |date=28 December 1922 |accessdate=21 March 2015 }}</ref> On 22 July 1923 he was posted to the RAF Depot, on his return to the Home Establishment.<ref>{{cite journal |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1923/1923%20-%200523.html |title=Royal Air Force: Appointments |issue=766 |volume=XV |page=523 |journal=[[Flight International|Flight]] |date=30 August 1923 |accessdate=21 March 2015 }}</ref> On 1 December 1923 he was appointed to command of [[No. 111 Squadron RAF|No. 111 Squadron]], based at [[RAF Duxford|Duxford]].<ref>{{cite journal |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1923/1923%20-%200731.html |title=Royal Air Force: Appointments |issue=779 |volume=XV |page=731 |journal=[[Flight International|Flight]] |date=29 November 1923 |accessdate=21 March 2015 }}</ref> On 11 June 1927 he returned to the RAF Depot at [[RAF Uxbridge|Uxbridge]],<ref>{{cite journal |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1927/1927%20-%200547.html |title=Royal Air Force: Appointments |issue=969 |volume=XIX |page=505 |journal=[[Flight International|Flight]] |date=21 July 1927 |accessdate=21 March 2015 }}</ref> and on 20 July was placed on the retired list at his own request.<ref>{{London Gazette |date=19 July 1927 |supp=y |issue=33295 |page=4649 |nolink=yes}}</ref>
==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 (United Kingdom)|Home Guard]] during the later part of the [[Second World War]].<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.staffshomeguard.co.uk/DotherReminiscences10staffshg.htm |title=The Pattingham Home Guard |work=Staffordshire Home Guard |year=2009 |accessdate=22 March 2015}}</ref>
Hazell died in [[Newport, 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.<ref>{{cite web |url= 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 |title=Major Thomas Falcon Hazell DSO, MC, DFC & Bar |work=[[Mayo Peace Park]] |year=2015 |accessdate=21 March 2015}}</ref>
==See also== * [[List of World War I aces credited with 20 or more victories]]
==References== {{Reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Hazell, Tom F.}} [[Category:1892 births]] [[Category:1946 deaths]] [[Category:Military personnel from County Galway]] [[Category:Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers officers]] [[Category:Royal Flying Corps officers]] [[Category:Royal Air Force personnel of World War I]] [[Category:Royal Air Force squadron leaders]] [[Category:British Home Guard officers]] [[Category:British Army personnel of World War I]] [[Category:British World War I flying aces]] [[Category:Recipients of the Military Cross]] [[Category:Companions of the Distinguished Service Order]] [[Category:Recipients of the Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)]]