Maj. Lanoe George Hawker, VC, DSO

Major LANOE GEORGE HAWKER, V.C., D.S.O., R.E., attached R.F.C., who was reported missing last November, is to-day officially reported killed. Born in 1890, he was the second son of the late Lieut. Henry Colley Hawker, R.N., and Mrs. Hawker, and a grandson of the late Peter William Lanoe Hawker, of Longparish House, Hants. He obtained his commission in the Royal Engineers in July, 1911, was promoted lieutenant in October, 1913, Snd joined the R.F.C in October, 1914. He was awarded the D.S.O. for conspicuous gallantry on April 19th, 1915, when he succeeded in dropping bombs on the German airship shed at Gontrode from a height of 200 ft., in perilous circumstances. He displayed remarkable ingenuity in using an occupied German captive balloon to shield him from fire while manoeuvring to drop the bombs. In the following July he won the V.C. On the 25th of that month, when flying alone, he attacked three German aeroplanes in succession. The first managed eventually to escape, the second was driven to ground damaged, and the third, which he attacked at a height of 10,000 ft., was driven to earth in our lines, the pilot and observer being killed.

Source: http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1917/1917%20-%200711.html

HAWKER, LANOE GEORGE

• Rank: Major
• Date of Death: 23/11/1916
• Age: 25
• Regiment/Service: Royal Flying Corps 24th Sqdn. and Royal Engineers
• Awards: V C, D S O, Mentioned in Despatches
• Panel Reference:
• Memorial: ARRAS FLYING SERVICES MEMORIAL
• Additional Information: Son of Mrs Julia Hawker, of 5, Victoria Terrace, Eastbourne and the late Lieut. Henry Colley Hawker, R.N.

Citation: An extract from The London Gazette, dated 24th Aug., 1915, records the following:-"For most conspicuous bravery and very great ability on 25th July, 1915. When flying alone he attacked three German aeroplanes in succession. The first managed eventually to escape, the second was driven to ground damaged, and the third, which he attacked at a height of about 10,000 feet, was driven to earth in our lines, the pilot and observer being killed. The personal bravery shown by this Officer was of the very highest order, as the enemy's aircraft were armed with machine guns, and all carried a passenger as well as the pilot."

Source: http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/785816/HAWKER,%20LANOE%2...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lanoe_Hawker

http://oa.anu.edu.au/obituary/hawker-lanoe-george-16012

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=9485851