Geoffrey H. Hooper

Captain Geoffrey Herbert Hooper was an Australian World War I flying ace credited with eleven aerial victories, all against German fighter planes.

Geoffrey Herbert Hooper
Born15 April 1891
Sydney, Australia
DiedPost 13 June 1927
AllegianceAustralia
Service/branchEngineers; aviation
RankCaptain
UnitRoyal Engineers, No. 11 Squadron RFC, No. 20 Squadron RAF
AwardsMilitary Cross, Distinguished Flying Cross

World War I
See also: Aerial victory standards of World War I

Hooper enlisted in the Royal Engineers on 1 November 1915. He transferred to the Royal Flying Corps in August 1916. He joined No. 11 Squadron RFC as pilot of a Bristol F.2 Fighter on 12 April 1917, three days before his 26th birthday.[1] He scored his first victory on 26 June 1917.[2] On 1 July 1917, Hooper was promoted to lieutenant.[3] Only eight days later, on 9 July 1917, he was raised to flight commander and temporary captain.[4] He scored twice more while with 11 Squadron, the last being on 11 September 1917, with Leslie Powell in the gunner's pit. Hooper then collected a Military Cross and transferred to No. 38 Squadron RFC on training duty for a rest.[2][5]

He returned to combat with No. 20 Squadron RAF, and took up his winning ways there on 24 September 1918. With Harold Leslie Edwards manning the guns, he scored triple wins on the 25 and 29 September, to become a double ace. On 10 November, he racked up his last victory. His final tally was six German fighters destroyed and five driven down out of control.[2] He had also participated in many bombing raids, by both day and night.[5]

Post World War I

On 8 May 1919, Hooper relinquished his commission upon completion of service but retained the rank of lieutenant.[6] On 24 May, he was transferred to the unemployed list of the Royal Air Force.[7] He was awarded a Distinguished Flying Cross on 3 June.[8]

On 12 December 1919, he gave up his commission in the Territorial Force Kent Fortress Engineers for a permanent commission in the Royal Air Force.[9]

On 13 June 1923, he resigned his commission as a flight lieutenant.[10] Also in 1923, he was commissioned as a captain in the Royal Australian Air Force.[1]

On 13 June 1927, Hooper completed his service in the reserves.[11]

Honors and awards

Military Cross (MC)

2nd Lt. (T./Capt.) Geoffrey Herbert Hooper, R.E., attd. R.F.C.

For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. When leading a patrol of four machines, he attacked ten enemy aircraft; during the engagement five of them were destroyed, two by himself. He had previously led a very successful night bombing attack on an aerodrome, in unfavourable weather, dropping bombs from a very low altitude, and doing a great amount of damage. He has invariably displayed great gallantry and skill when engaged in aerial combats.[12]

Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) awarded 3 June 1919.[13]

References
  1. Bristol F2 Fighter Aces of World War I. p. 26.
  2. "Geoffrey Hooper". The Aerodrome. Retrieved 17 March 2010.
  3. "No. 30912". The London Gazette (Supplement). 21 September 1918. p. 11240.
  4. "No. 30193". The London Gazette (Supplement). 20 July 1917. p. 7406.
  5. Above the Trenches: a Complete Record of the Fighter Aces and Units of the British Empire Air Forces 1915–1920, pp. 198—199
  6. "No. 31399". The London Gazette (Supplement). 11 June 1919. p. 7522.
  7. "No. 32833". The London Gazette. 11 July 1919. p. 4143.
  8. "No. 31378". The London Gazette (Supplement). 3 June 1919. p. 7031.
  9. "No. 30287". The London Gazette (Supplement). 7 January 1921. p. 9573.
  10. "No. 32833". The London Gazette. 12 June 1923. p. 4143.
  11. "No. 33289". The London Gazette. 28 June 1927. p. 4143.
  12. "No. 30287". The London Gazette (Supplement). 17 September 1917. p. 9573.
  13. "No. 31378". The London Gazette (Supplement). 3 June 1919. p. 7031.
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