Harold B. Hudson
Encyclopedia
Lieutenant Harold Byron Hudson MC
(8 December 1898 –February 1982) was a Canadian
First World War
flying ace
, officially credited with 13 victories. As wingman to William George Barker
, he scored a record five victories over observation balloons in a single day.
, being commissioned a Probationary Temporary Second Lieutenant on 24 May 1917. He was assigned to 28 Squadron in Italy. There Hudson often flew with Captain William George Barker. Indeed, Hudson's first victories were two observation balloons shared with Barker on 24 January 1918. Hudson went on to destroy an Albatros D.V
on 5 February. Then, a week later, Barker and Hudson pulled off the unprecedented feat of destroying five kite balloons on a single sortie. By 26 May 1918, Hudson's win total reached seven balloons and six airplanes; besides the mass victories over balloons with Barker, Hudson had destroyed four airplanes and driven two down out of control. He was posted briefly, without success, to 45 Squadron.
Postwar, Hudson returned to Canada to work in pulp mills making paper.
Military Cross
The Military Cross is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers and other ranks of the British Armed Forces; and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries....
(8 December 1898 –February 1982) was a Canadian
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
First World War
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
flying ace
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...
, officially credited with 13 victories. As wingman to William George Barker
William George Barker
William George Barker VC, DSO & Bar, MC & Two Bars was a Canadian First World War fighter ace and Victoria Cross recipient...
, he scored a record five victories over observation balloons in a single day.
Biography
Hudson was British-born, but his family relocated to British Columbia in 1912. He joined the Royal Flying CorpsRoyal 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...
, being commissioned a Probationary Temporary Second Lieutenant on 24 May 1917. He was assigned to 28 Squadron in Italy. There Hudson often flew with Captain William George Barker. Indeed, Hudson's first victories were two observation balloons shared with Barker on 24 January 1918. Hudson went on to destroy 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....
on 5 February. Then, a week later, Barker and Hudson pulled off the unprecedented feat of destroying five kite balloons on a single sortie. By 26 May 1918, Hudson's win total reached seven balloons and six airplanes; besides the mass victories over balloons with Barker, Hudson had destroyed four airplanes and driven two down out of control. He was posted briefly, without success, to 45 Squadron.
Postwar, Hudson returned to Canada to work in pulp mills making paper.
Honours and awards
- 16 September 1918 - T./Lt. Harold Byrn Hudson, R.A.F. is awarded the Military CrossMilitary CrossThe Military Cross is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers and other ranks of the British Armed Forces; and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries....
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