Major Hugh Allport Hay MC ED (24 November 1889 – 13 October 1965) was a British World War I flying ace credited with five aerial victories.[2]
Hugh Allport Hay | |
---|---|
Born | Newchurch, Rossendale, Lancashire, England | 24 November 1889
Died | 13 October 1965[1] Middleton Hall, Middleton St. George, Darlington, County Durham, England[1] | (aged 75)
Allegiance | United Kingdom |
Service/ | British Army Royal Air Force |
Years of service | 1914–1919 1939–1945 |
Rank | Major |
Unit | West Yorkshire Regiment No. 11 Squadron RAF Durham Light Infantry Royal Artillery |
Battles/wars | World War I • Western Front World War II |
Awards | Military Cross Efficiency Decoration |
Relations | Roger Hay (brother) |
He was the eldest of three sons born to The Reverend Reynell Wreford Hay and his wife Margaret Alice (née Bolton). His grandfather William Hay was a merchant and ship owner from Bishopwearmouth,[3] while his uncle, William Delisle Hay, was a novelist and mycologist.[4]
At the time of his birth his father was teaching at Newchurch Grammar School, Lancashire,[5] but in 1892 was appointed the rector of Garsdon and Lea in Wiltshire.[6] He was educated at Armstrong College, Newcastle (then part of Durham University, now part of Newcastle University).[2]
After serving as a cadet in the Officers' Training Corps, on 27 January 1915 Hay was commissioned as a second lieutenant (on probation) in the 3rd Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment, alongside his brothers Guy Baldwin Hay (1890–1951[7]) and Roger Bolton Hay (1895–1917).[8]
On 2 February 1916 he was appointed a temporary supernumerary lieutenant,[9] and on 24 June, while attached to the 1st Battalion of the West Yorkshires, was awarded the Military Cross.[10] His citation read:
He relinquished his temporary rank on 4 July,[12] but was promoted to full lieutenant on 26 September.[13]
In mid-1917 Hay was seconded to the Royal Flying Corps, receiving Royal Aero Club Aviator's Certificate No. 5481 and being appointed a flying officer on 29 November.[2][14]
Hay was posted to No. 11 Squadron RFC in early 1918 to fly the Bristol F.2 Fighter.[15] On 1 April, the Army's Royal Flying Corps (RFC) and the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) were merged to form the Royal Air Force, and a week later, on the 7th, Hay gained his first victory when he and observer/gunner Sergeant P. A. Sherlock drove down an Albatros C 'out of control' over Grévillers. On 4 May he and Sherlock shot a Pfalz D.III down in flames over Marquion, and on 11 August, with 2nd Lieutenant E. J. Norris, he did the same to an Albatros D.V south of Péronne.[2] On 26 August Hay was appointed a temporary captain while serving as a flight commander,[16] and on 6 September, Hay and Lieutenant A. H. Craig destroyed and drove down two Fokker D.VIIs west of Cambrai.[2]
Hay left the RAF after the war, being transferred to the unemployed list on 2 June 1919.[17]
Hay returned to military service just prior to World War II, serving in an anti-aircraft unit of the Territorial Army. He was commissioned as a captain, and appointed administration officer of the 1/5th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry, on 23 March 1939.[18] Hay relinquished his post of administration officer on 2 September,[19] and on 1 August 1940 his unit was transferred and renamed, becoming the 54th Searchlight Regiment, Royal Artillery.[20][21] He served throughout the war, finally relinquishing his commission, having exceeded the age limit, on 22 August 1945, and was granted the honorary rank of major.[22] On 13 April 1951 he was awarded the Efficiency Decoration.[23]