Herbert George Hegarty

Captain Herbert George Hegarty MC (31 October 1885 – 1953) was an Irish World War I flying ace credited with eight aerial victories.[1]

Herbert George Hegarty
Born(1885-10-31)31 October 1885
Clonbur, County Galway, Ireland
Died1953 (aged 67–68)
Somerset, England
AllegianceUnited Kingdom
Service/branchBritish Army
Royal Air Force
Years of service1911–1919
RankCaptain
UnitHong Kong Artillery and Rifle Volunteer Corps
No. 60 Squadron RFC/RAF
Battles/warsWorld War I
 • Western Front
AwardsMilitary Cross
Other workBanker

Early life and education

Hegarty was born in Clonbur, County Galway, and was educated at Portora Royal School, Enniskillen. He then gained a position at the Hongkong and Shanghai Bank, based in Hong Kong. He also served as a second lieutenant in the Hong Kong Artillery and Rifle Volunteer Corps from October 1911.[2]

World War I

In 1917 Hegarty travelled from Hong Kong to England via North America.[1] He was commissioned as a second lieutenant (on probation) to serve in the Royal Flying Corps on 8 June,[3] and was posted to No. 5 and No. 28 Training Squadrons between July and September,[4] being confirmed in his rank on 8 September.[5]

In November 1917 Hegarty was posted to No. 60 Squadron RFC based at Sainte-Marie-Cappel, France, to fly a S.E.5a single-seat fighter.[2] He gained his first aerial victory on 28 January 1918, driving down out of control an Albatros D.V fighter over Kortemark. On 4 February he shared in the shooting down in flames of another D.V over Zonnebeke, and destroyed two more on 18 and 30 March. On 14 May he destroyed an Albatros two-seater to gain his fifth victory and ace status. Early on 16 May 1918 he shared in the destruction of an LVG two-seater over Fampoux with American ace Lieutenant John Griffith,[1] and later that day was recommended for the Military Cross, which cited his six confirmed victories and mentions several other unconfirmed ones.[2] His award was gazetted on 13 September, the citation reading:

Second Lieutenant Herbert George Hegarty, RAF.
"For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty on offensive patrols. During recent operations he destroyed four enemy machines and drove down two. He is a bold and fearless pilot, and has done splendid work."[6]

Hegarty was appointed a flight commander with the temporary rank of captain on 13 June,[7] and gained two more aerial victories on 30 June and 1 July.[1] He was posted to the Home Establishment on 15 July 1918 to serve as an instructor at the No. 4 Fighting School at RAF Freiston, Lincolnshire.[2] Hegarty was transferred to the RAF's unemployed list on 6 February 1919.[8]

List of aerial victories
Combat record[1]
No. Date/Time Aircraft/
Serial No.		 Opponent Result Location Notes
128 January 1918
@ 1320		S.E.5a
(B626)		Albatros D.VOut of controlKortemark, Belgium
24 February 1918
@ 1125		S.E.5a
(B626)		Albatros D.VDestroyed in flamesZonnebeke, BelgiumShared with Lieutenant H. D. Crompton.
318 February 1918
@ 1230		S.E.5a
(C9536)		Albatros D.VOut of controlStaden, Belgium
430 March 1918
@ 1110		S.E.5a
(C5381)		Albatros D.VDestroyedSouth of Albert, France
514 May 1918
@ 0730		S.E.5a
(B190)		Albatros CDestroyedMoreuil, France
616 May 1918
@ 0845		S.E.5a
(B190)		LVG CDestroyedFampoux, FranceShared with Lieutenant John Griffith.
730 June 1918
@ 0510		S.E.5a
(D5992)		Albatros D.VDestroyedRainecourt, France
81 July 1918
@ 0840		S.E.5a
(D5992)		Halberstadt CDestroyedBray, France

References
  1. "Herbert George Hegarty". The Aerodrome. 2016.
  2. "Auction Catalogue of Orders, Decorations, Campaign Medals & Militaria". Spink & Son. 22 November 2012. pp. 222–223.
  3. "No. 30158". The London Gazette (Supplement). 29 June 1917. p. 6511.
  4. "RFC and RAF men in Warwickshire (F–L)". Midland Aircraft Recovery Group. 2016.
  5. "No. 30320". The London Gazette (Supplement). 2 October 1917. p. 10233.
  6. "No. 30901". The London Gazette (Supplement). 13 September 1918. p. 10963.
  7. "No. 30781". The London Gazette. 5 July 1918. p. 7945.
  8. "No. 31255". The London Gazette. 28 March 1919. pp. 4034–4035.
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