Frank Hobson
Encyclopedia
Captain Frank Harold Hobson (born 8 October 1894, date of death unknown) was a World War I flying ace
credited with 15 aerial victories.
Hobson was born in West Bridgford
, Nottingham on 8 October 1894. He originally served in the Royal Engineers
, but transferred to the Royal Flying Corps
. In September 1917, he scored his first victory while he was assigned to No. 65 Squadron RFC
. Flying Sopwith Camel No. B2305, he drove down an Albatros D.V
out of control. He then scored triumphs in every month between then and March 1918, except for February. A summary of his record shows ten enemy aircraft destroyed and five driven down out of control.
Following his last victory on 25 March 1918, he was removed from combat duty and assigned to No. 72 Training Squadron
in the Home Establishment in England. He ended his duty and left the service in February 1919.
T./2nd Lt. Frank Hobson, Gen. List and R.F.C.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He has destroyed several enemy aeroplanes and driven others down out of control. On one occasion he descended to a height of 100 feet and attacked a party of the enemy with his machine gun, inflicting several casualties on them. He has shown splendid resource and determination on all occasions.
Flying ace
A flying ace or fighter ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down several enemy aircraft during aerial combat. The actual number of aerial victories required to officially qualify as an "ace" has varied, but is usually considered to be five or more...
credited with 15 aerial victories.
Hobson was born in West Bridgford
West Bridgford
West Bridgford is a town in the Rushcliffe borough of Nottinghamshire, England. It lies immediately south of the city of Nottingham, delimited by the River Trent; this proximity means that it forms a continuous urban area with Nottingham, effectively makes West Bridgford a suburb of the city, and...
, Nottingham on 8 October 1894. He originally served in the Royal Engineers
Royal Engineers
The Corps of Royal Engineers, usually just called the Royal Engineers , and commonly known as the Sappers, is one of the corps of the British Army....
, but transferred to the Royal Flying Corps
Royal Flying Corps
The Royal Flying Corps was the over-land air arm of the British military during most of the First World War. During the early part of the war, the RFC's responsibilities were centred on support of the British Army, via artillery co-operation and photographic reconnaissance...
. In September 1917, he scored his first victory while he was assigned to No. 65 Squadron RFC
No. 65 Squadron RAF
No. 65 Squadron was a squadron of the Royal Air Force.-World War I:The squadron was first formed at Wyton on 1 August 1916 as a squadron of the Royal Flying Corps with a core provided from the training ground at Norwich. By the end of World War I, it had claimed over 200 victories...
. Flying Sopwith Camel No. B2305, he drove down an Albatros D.V
Albatros D.V
|-See also:-Bibliography:*Bennett, Leon. Gunning for the Red Baron. College Station, TX: Texas A&M University Press, 2006. ISBN 1-58544-507-X....
out of control. He then scored triumphs in every month between then and March 1918, except for February. A summary of his record shows ten enemy aircraft destroyed and five driven down out of control.
Following his last victory on 25 March 1918, he was removed from combat duty and assigned to No. 72 Training Squadron
No. 72 Squadron RAF
No. 72 Squadron Royal Air Force started its service life supporting the army during World War I on operations in Middle East and afterwards was quickly disbanded. In its second incarnation the squadron was a real fighter unit, transitioning from Gloster Gladiator biplanes to Gloster Javelin...
in the Home Establishment in England. He ended his duty and left the service in February 1919.
Honors and awards
Military Cross (MC)T./2nd Lt. Frank Hobson, Gen. List and R.F.C.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He has destroyed several enemy aeroplanes and driven others down out of control. On one occasion he descended to a height of 100 feet and attacked a party of the enemy with his machine gun, inflicting several casualties on them. He has shown splendid resource and determination on all occasions.