Geoffrey Hemming

Flight Lieutenant Geoffrey William Hemming DSC (3 April 1898 – 26 February 1926) was a British World War I flying ace credited with six aerial victories.[1]

Geoffrey William Hemming
Born(1898-04-03)3 April 1898
Droitwich, Worcestershire, England
Died26 February 1926(1926-02-26) (aged 27)
RAF Calshot, Southampton Water, Hampshire, England
AllegianceUnited Kingdom
Service/branchRoyal Navy
Royal Air Force
Years of service1916–1926
RankFlight lieutenant
UnitNo. 4 Squadron RNAS
No. 480 Flight RAF
Battles/warsWorld War I
Awards

World War I service

Hemming was commissioned as probationary flight sub-lieutenant in the Royal Naval Air Service on 5 July 1916, and posted to HMS President.[2]

He joined No. 4 Naval Squadron just after its second formation in December 1916. It was equipped with Sopwith Pups, and based at Ostend, Belgium. On 12 May 1917 Hemming piloted Pup No. N6177 to victory over a Siemens-Schuckert D.I, destroying it. He switched to No. N6199 for his victories on 6 June, when he destroyed another Siemens Schuckert D.I, and drove a third one down out of control. He then upgraded to Sopwith Camel No. B3841 for his triple win on 22 August 1917, when he drove down three Albatros D.Vs out of control.[3]

Hemming was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, which was gazetted in November 1917. His citation read:

Flight Sub-Lieutenant Geoffrey William Hemming, R.N.A.S.
"In recognition of his services with a Wing of the R.N.A.S. at Dunkirk between March and September, 1917, during which period he has been continuously employed on the Belgian coast, and on many occasions has been in charge of a flight. On the 22nd September, 1917, he led his flight against a formation of twenty enemy aircraft, and engaging three consecutively, brought them all down".[4]

He was promoted to flight lieutenant on 1 January 1918,[5] and on 22 February he was granted permission to wear the insignia of the Croix de guerre and of a commander of the Order of the Crown, which had been conferred by the King of the Belgians.[6]

On 12 September 1919 Hemming was granted a short service commission in the Royal Air Force with the rank of flying officer.[7]

On 7 August 1924 he was posted to the Marine Aircraft Experimental Establishment at Felixstowe.[8] On 1 January 1925 he was promoted to flight lieutenant,[9] and on 16 February 1925 posted to No. 480 Flight, based at RAF Calshot.[10] Hemming died following a flying accident in a Fairey IIID at Calshot on 26 February 1926. His passenger Flying Officer Robert Collins was seriously injured, and died two days later.[11]

Personal life

Geoffrey Hemming married Dorothy May Woods, daughter of Mr. and Mrs R. J. Woods, of Princetown Lodge, Bangor, County Down, on 7 February 1923 at St. Comgall's Parish Church, Bangor, County Down.[12]

References
  1. "Geoffrey William Hemming". The Aerodrome. 2015. Retrieved 21 March 2015.
  2. "Admiralty Announcements". Flight. VIII (894): 581. 13 July 1916. Retrieved 21 March 2015.
  3. Shores, Christopher F.; Franks, Norman & Guest, Russell F. (1990). Above the Trenches: a Complete Record of the Fighter Aces and Units of the British Empire Air Forces 1915–1920. London, UK: Grub Street. p. 191. ISBN 978-0-948817-19-9.
  4. "No. 30408". The London Gazette (Supplement). 27 November 1917. p. 12548.
  5. "New Year Honours". Flight. X (471): 6. 3 January 1918. Retrieved 21 March 2015.
  6. "No. 30536". The London Gazette (Supplement). 19 February 1918. p. 2306.
  7. "No. 31548". The London Gazette. 12 September 1919. p. 11468.
  8. "Royal Air Force Appointments". Flight. XVI (813): 469. 24 July 1924. Retrieved 21 March 2015.
  9. "No. 33007". The London Gazette (Supplement). 30 December 1924. p. 8.
  10. "Royal Air Force Appointments". Flight. XVII (844): 121. 26 February 1925. Retrieved 21 March 2015.
  11. "Air Force Flying Accidents". Flight. XVIII (898): 149. 11 March 1926. Retrieved 21 March 2015.
  12. "Personals: Married". Flight. XV (739): 112. 22 February 1923. Retrieved 21 March 2015.
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