Geoffrey H. Hooper
Encyclopedia
Captain Geoffrey Herbert Hooper was an Australian World War I flying ace
credited with eleven aerial victories, all against the deadly Fokker D.VII
.
on 1 August 1915. He transferred to the Royal Flying Corps
in August 1916. He joined 11 Squadron as pilot of a Bristol F.2 Fighter
two-seater pilot on 12 April 1917, three days before his 26th birthday. He scored his first victory on 26 June 1917. On 1 July 1917, Hooper was promoted to Lieutenant. Only eight days later, on 9 July 1917, he was raised to Flight Commander and Temporary Captain. He scored twice more while with 11 Squadron, the last being on 11 September 1917, with Leslie Powell
in the gunner's pit. Hooper then collected a Military Cross and transferred to 38 Squadron on training duty for a rest.
He returned to combat with 20 Squadron, and took up his winning ways there on 24 September 1918. With Harold Leslie Edwards
manning the guns, he scored triple wins on the 25th and 29 September, to become a double ace. On 10 November, he racked up his last win. His final tally was six Fokker D.VII fighters destroyed and five driven down out of control.
On 12 December 1919, he gave up his commission in the Territorial Force Kent Fortress Engineers for a permanent commission in the Royal Air Force.
On 13 June 1923, he resigned his commission as a Flight Lieutenant
.
On 13 June 1927, Hooper completed his service in the reserves.
2nd Lt. (T./Capt.) Geoffrey Herbert Hooper, R.E., attd. R.F.C.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. When leading a patrol of four machines, he attacked ten enemy aircraft; during the engagement five of them were destroyed, two by himself. He had previously led a very successful night bombing attack on an aerodrome, in unfavourable weather, dropping bombs from a very low altitude, and doing a great amount of damage. He has invariably displayed great gallantry and skill when engaged in aerial combats
Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) awarded 3 June 1919.
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...
credited with eleven aerial victories, all against the deadly Fokker D.VII
Fokker D.VII
The Fokker D.VII was a German World War I fighter aircraft designed by Reinhold Platz of the Fokker-Flugzeugwerke. Germany produced around 3,300 D.VII aircraft in the summer and autumn of 1918. In service, the D.VII quickly proved itself to be a formidable aircraft...
.
World War I
Hooper enlisted in the Royal EngineersRoyal Engineers
The Corps of Royal Engineers, usually just called the Royal Engineers , and commonly known as the Sappers, is one of the corps of the British Army....
on 1 August 1915. He transferred 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...
in August 1916. He joined 11 Squadron as pilot of a Bristol F.2 Fighter
Bristol F.2 Fighter
The Bristol F.2 Fighter was a British two-seat biplane fighter and reconnaissance aircraft of the First World War flown by the Royal Flying Corps. It is often simply called the Bristol Fighter or popularly the "Brisfit" or "Biff". Despite being a two-seater, the F.2B proved to be an agile aircraft...
two-seater pilot on 12 April 1917, three days before his 26th birthday. He scored his first victory on 26 June 1917. On 1 July 1917, Hooper was promoted to Lieutenant. Only eight days later, on 9 July 1917, he was raised to Flight Commander and Temporary Captain. He scored twice more while with 11 Squadron, the last being on 11 September 1917, with Leslie Powell
Leslie Powell
Lieutenant Leslie Archibald Powell was a World War I flying ace credited with 19 aerial victories.Powell was a journalist before the war, working for the Western Daily Press. He flew as an observer/gunner on Bristol F2B Fighters. All but one of his victories came while he was teamed with Andrew...
in the gunner's pit. Hooper then collected a Military Cross and transferred to 38 Squadron on training duty for a rest.
He returned to combat with 20 Squadron, and took up his winning ways there on 24 September 1918. With Harold Leslie Edwards
Harold Leslie Edwards
Harold Leslie Edwards DFC MM was a Canadian World War I flying ace gunner, who in conjunction with his pilots, was officially credited with 21 victories.-Early life:...
manning the guns, he scored triple wins on the 25th and 29 September, to become a double ace. On 10 November, he racked up his last win. His final tally was six Fokker D.VII fighters destroyed and five driven down out of control.
Post World War I
On 8 May 1919, Hooper relinquished his commission upon completion of service but retained the rank of Lieutenant. On 24 May, he was transferred to the unemployed list of the Royal Air Force. He was awarded a Distinguished Flying Cross on 3 June.On 12 December 1919, he gave up his commission in the Territorial Force Kent Fortress Engineers for a permanent commission in the Royal Air Force.
On 13 June 1923, he resigned his commission as a 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 13 June 1927, Hooper completed his service in the reserves.
Honors and awards
Military Cross (MC)2nd Lt. (T./Capt.) Geoffrey Herbert Hooper, R.E., attd. R.F.C.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. When leading a patrol of four machines, he attacked ten enemy aircraft; during the engagement five of them were destroyed, two by himself. He had previously led a very successful night bombing attack on an aerodrome, in unfavourable weather, dropping bombs from a very low altitude, and doing a great amount of damage. He has invariably displayed great gallantry and skill when engaged in aerial combats
Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) awarded 3 June 1919.