Peter Hall (flying ace)
Encyclopedia
Flight Lieutenant
Peter Francis Locker Hall, DFC & Bar
(16 May 1922 – 22 May 2010) was a New Zealand
flying ace
during World War II
. He had become infatuated with flight in 1928, when his father bought him a plane ride with Australian aviation pioneer Charles Kingsford Smith
.
Hall joined RNZAF No. 488 Squadron
in 1943, and along with his RAF navigator R. D. Marriott, is credited with eight confirmed kills being five Junkers 88s, a Messerschmitt Me 410
, and two Dornier 217s. After the war he chose to stay in England with his wife Mary, living in Cumbria
, and became an aircraft salesman for de Havilland
. Hall regularly returned to New Zealand He left de Havilland in 1972 and established an award-winning woodcraft
and furniture business. He enjoyed such a good reputation that at one point he was commissioned to create bowls for Diana, Princess of Wales
.
On 22 May 2010, a few days after turning 88, Peter Hall died. His wife had died in 2009. They were survived by three children.
Flight Lieutenant
Flight lieutenant is a junior commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many Commonwealth countries. It ranks above flying officer and immediately below squadron leader. The name of the rank is the complete phrase; it is never shortened to "lieutenant"...
Peter Francis Locker Hall, DFC & Bar
Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)
The Distinguished Flying Cross is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force and other services, and formerly to officers of other Commonwealth countries, for "an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying in active operations against...
(16 May 1922 – 22 May 2010) was a New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
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...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. He had become infatuated with flight in 1928, when his father bought him a plane ride with Australian aviation pioneer Charles Kingsford Smith
Charles Kingsford Smith
Sir Charles Edward Kingsford Smith MC, AFC , often called by his nickname Smithy, was an early Australian aviator. In 1928, he earned global fame when he made the first trans-Pacific flight from the United States to Australia...
.
Hall joined RNZAF No. 488 Squadron
No. 488 Squadron RNZAF
488 Squadron was the name given to two distinct Royal New Zealand Air Force squadrons during the Second World War. Both were formed under Article XV of the Empire Air Training Scheme and served under the operational command of the Royal Air Force....
in 1943, and along with his RAF navigator R. D. Marriott, is credited with eight confirmed kills being five Junkers 88s, a Messerschmitt Me 410
Messerschmitt Me 410
The Messerschmitt Me 410 Hornisse was a German heavy fighter and Schnellbomber used by Luftwaffe during World War II. Though essentially a straightforward modification of the Me 210, it was designated the Me 410 to avoid association with its notoriously flawed predecessor.-Design and...
, and two Dornier 217s. After the war he chose to stay in England with his wife Mary, living in Cumbria
Cumbria
Cumbria , is a non-metropolitan county in North West England. The county and Cumbria County Council, its local authority, came into existence in 1974 after the passage of the Local Government Act 1972. Cumbria's largest settlement and county town is Carlisle. It consists of six districts, and in...
, and became an aircraft salesman for de Havilland
De Havilland
The de Havilland Aircraft Company was a British aviation manufacturer founded in 1920 when Airco, of which Geoffrey de Havilland had been chief designer, was sold to BSA by the owner George Holt Thomas. De Havilland then set up a company under his name in September of that year at Stag Lane...
. Hall regularly returned to New Zealand He left de Havilland in 1972 and established an award-winning woodcraft
Woodcraft
Woodcraft is a recreational/educational program devised by Ernest Thompson Seton in 1902, for young people based on camping, outdoor skills and woodcrafts. Thompson Seton's Woodcraft ideas were incorporated into the early Scout movement, but also in many other organisations in many countries.In the...
and furniture business. He enjoyed such a good reputation that at one point he was commissioned to create bowls for Diana, Princess of Wales
Diana, Princess of Wales
Diana, Princess of Wales was the first wife of Charles, Prince of Wales, whom she married on 29 July 1981, and an international charity and fundraising figure, as well as a preeminent celebrity of the late 20th century...
.
On 22 May 2010, a few days after turning 88, Peter Hall died. His wife had died in 2009. They were survived by three children.