Lieutenant D'Arcy Fowlis Hilton was a Canadian-born American World War I flying ace credited with eight aerial victories.[1]
D'Arcy Fowlis Hilton | |
---|---|
Born | 17 October 1889 Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
Died | October 1973 (aged 83-84) St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada |
Allegiance | Canada United Kingdom |
Service/ | Royal Flying Corps |
Years of service | 1917–c.1918 |
Rank | Lieutenant |
Unit | No. 29 Squadron RAF |
Awards | Military Cross, Air Force Cross |
D'Arcy Fowlis Hilton was the son of Francis Alfred and Isabel Grace Milligan Hilton.[2] Though born in Canada, he called Michigan home; he also lived in Youngstown, New York.[3]
On 28 January 1914, he married Gladys Caroline Woodruff in St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada.[2][4] They separated in 1916, after a son was born, and he went to England and joined the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) in November. He was commissioned a second lieutenant on 21 November 1916.[2]
Hilton earned his Royal Aero Club Certificate No. 4717 on 17 May 1917. He was then assigned to fly a Nieuport 17 with No. 29 Squadron RFC. On 31 July 1917, he destroyed an Albatros D.V fighter and an observation balloon. Over the next three and a half months, he proceeded to drive down out of control five more Albatros D.Vs and an observation plane, with the last victory coming on 13 November 1917.[1] He was gazetted the Military Cross on 17 December 1917.[5][6] Following his tour of combat, Fowler became a flight instructor in both England and Canada, and earned the Air Force Cross in the process.[7]
Gladys Caroline Woodruff sued him for divorce via act of legislature in 1922.[8] He was then estranged from his family until early in World War II when his son was killed in aerial combat.[1]
D'Arcy Fowlis Hilton died in October 1973 in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada.[2]
Military Cross (MC)
2nd/Lt. D'Arcy Fowlis Hilton, R.F.C., Spec. Res.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in attacking enemy aircraft and engaging troops on the ground. While on patrol he attacked single-handed six two-seater machines, forcing one down and driving the rest back. He has driven down five other machines.[1][9]