Campbell Hoy
Encyclopedia
Group Captain Campbell Alexander Hoy (13 February 1893 - 9 March 1985) began his military career as a 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 I, with eleven aerial victories. He served through the end of World War II.

Early life

Campbell Alexander Hoy was born to Henry Hoy, a chemist, and Margaret Anne Reid in Newbiggin-by-the-Sea
Newbiggin-by-the-Sea
Newbiggin-by-the-Sea is a small town in Northumberland, England, lying on the North Sea coast. Once an important port for shipping grain and a coal mining town, it is still a small fishing port making use of traditional coble boats.- History :...

. He was living there in Campbell House during 1901. He attended Armstrong College at the University of Durham from 1913 onwards. On 15 January 1915, Cadet Lance Corporal Campbell Alexander Hoy from the Durham University Contingent of Officers Training Corps was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Northern Cyclist Battalion.

Aerial service in World War I

On 16 May 1917, he was seconded to the Royal Flying Corps
Royal Flying Corps
The Royal Flying Corps was the over-land air arm of the British military during most of the First World War. During the early part of the war, the RFC's responsibilities were centred on support of the British Army, via artillery co-operation and photographic reconnaissance...

 as a Flying Officer Observer
Flying Officer
Flying officer is a junior commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many countries which have historical British influence...

. Both he and his pilot were injured when their airplane, Royal Aircraft Factory FE.2d s/n A6366 was shot down by German ace August Hanko
August Hanko
Leutnant August Hanko was a World War I flying ace credited with five aerial victories.-References:...

 of Jasta 28 on 25 May 1917. Hoy began his victory string over German Albatros D.V
Albatros D.V
|-See also:-Bibliography:*Bennett, Leon. Gunning for the Red Baron. College Station, TX: Texas A&M University Press, 2006. ISBN 1-58544-507-X....

 fighters on 29 June 1917. His next nine wins manning the guns in a Royal Aircraft Factory FE.2d came while he was teamed with Richard M. Trevethan
Richard M. Trevethan
Captain Richard Michael Trevethan was a World War I flying ace credited with twelve aerial victories.-Early life:...

. His last win was scored with Arthur Solly as his pilot, on the evening of 9 July 1918. Hoy's final tally was five Albatros D.V fighters destroyed and six driven down out of control.

On 25 August 1917, Hoy was promoted to Lieutenant, with seniority from 1 June 1916. As of 14 December 1917, he was appointed an Assistant Instructor in Gunnery and classified as Third Class Equipment Officer. On 23 January 1918 he was reclassified as 2nd Class Equipment Officer.

Between the World Wars

On 7 January 1919, he was appointed Temporary Captain, effective 25 October 1918, within the Technical Branch. On 19 May 1919, he was selected to remain seconded as Captain to the RFC, with seniority of 6 November 1918. On 1 August 1919, he surrendered his commission in the Cyclist Battalion and gained a permanent commission as Captain in the Royal Air Force.

On 2 September 1920, Hoy married Ena Olive Ball in Ickenham
Ickenham
Ickenham is a suburban area centred on an old village in Greater London, part of the London Borough of Hillingdon.While no major historical events have taken place in Ickenham, settlements dating back to the Roman occupation of Britain have been discovered during archaeological surveys, and the...

. The union would produce two children—Ena Bertha Margaret Hoy and Campbell Henry Alfred Hoy.

On 1 January 1926, Hoy was promoted from Flying Officer
Flying Officer
Flying officer is a junior commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many countries which have historical British influence...

 to Flight Lieutenant
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"...

. On 7 February 1935, he was selected for retention through age 45.

On 1 January 1936, he was again promoted, to Squadron Leader
Squadron Leader
Squadron Leader is a commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many countries which have historical British influence. It is also sometimes used as the English translation of an equivalent rank in countries which have a non-English air force-specific rank structure. In these...

. A further promotion to Wing Commander
Wing Commander (rank)
Wing commander is a commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many other Commonwealth countries...

 followed on 1 January 1939.

World War II and beyond

On 24 April 1940, Wing Commander Hoy was transferred to the Technical Branch. with a promotion to Group Captain
Group Captain
Group captain is a senior commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many other Commonwealth countries. It ranks above wing commander and immediately below air commodore...

.

On 13 February 1946, Hoy retired.

Honors and awards

Military Cross (MC)

2/Lt. (T./Lt.) Campbell Alexander Hoy, R.F.C.

For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when acting as observer on offensive patrols. On four occasions he has shot down hostile scouts, displaying in every instance splendid determination and a very fine offensive spirit.

Endnotes

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