Lanoe George Hawker | |
---|---|
Born | Longparish, Hampshire, England, United Kingdom | 30 December 1890
Died | 23 November 1916 near Bapaume, France | (aged 25)
Allegiance | United Kingdom |
Service | British Army |
Years of service | 1910–1916 |
Rank | Major |
Unit | Royal Engineers Royal Flying Corps |
Commands | No. 24 Squadron RFC |
Battles / wars | First World War |
Awards | Victoria Cross Distinguished Service Order Mentioned in Despatches |
Lanoe George Hawker, VC, DSO (30 December 1890 – 23 November 1916) was a British flying ace of the First World War. Having seven credited victories, he was the third pilot to receive the Victoria Cross, the highest decoration for gallantry awarded to British and Commonwealth servicemen.
He was killed in a dogfight with the famous German flying ace Manfred von Richthofen ("The Red Baron"), who described him as "the British Boelcke".[1]