William Henry Hubbard
Encyclopedia
Captain William Henry Hubbard was a Canadian World War I flying ace
credited with twelve aerial victories against enemy fighter planes despite spending a year and a half out of action. He was noted for his zeal in ground support missions, as well as his success against enemy fighters.
Hubbard had moved to Toronto in 1915 when he volunteered for military service. He was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Special Reserve on 1 January 1916. On 9 May 1916, he received Royal Aero Club
pilot's certificate no. 2871. On 8 September, while flying a Royal Aircraft Factory BE.2
c for 5 Squadron, he destroyed a Fokker Eindekker over Saint Julien. On the day after Christmas, he was severely wounded by Erwin Boehme. Upon recovery, he was posted to Home Establishment as an instructor. He remained there until he was promoted Captain and appointed Flight Commander in 73 Squadron, flying a Sopwith Camel
. Beginning 11 April 1918, he began to score a steady trickle of wins that took to a total of a dozen on 8 October. It was during this time that he earned both the DFC and a Bar in lieu of a second award; they were awarded more for his ground support missions than aerial success. At any rate, he ended the war with a tally of four German fighter planes destroyed, one set afire in midair, one captured, and six driven down out of control.
Capt. William Henry Hubbard,
During recent operations he has repeatedly
descended to low altitudes to release his
bombs and to open machine-gun fire on
troops and transport. He has shown the
greatest gallantry, judgment and presence
of mind. On several occasions he has
attacked and driven down out of control
enemy aeroplanes.
Bar to Distinguished Flying Cross
Capt. William Henry Hubbard, D.F.C.
(FRANCE.)
This officer has shown great bravery and
devotion to duty both in destroying enemy
aircraft—ten of which he has accounted for
—and in silencing anti-Tank guns. On
27 September, flying at altitudes between
200 and 1,500 feet, he engaged and silenced
many anti-Tank guns, thereby rendering
valuable service. He at the same time completed
a detailed and accurate reconnaissance
of the area, locating the position of
our troops.
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 twelve aerial victories against enemy fighter planes despite spending a year and a half out of action. He was noted for his zeal in ground support missions, as well as his success against enemy fighters.
Hubbard had moved to Toronto in 1915 when he volunteered for military service. He was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Special Reserve on 1 January 1916. On 9 May 1916, he received Royal Aero Club
Royal Aero Club
The Royal Aero Club is the national co-ordinating body for Air Sport in the United Kingdom.The Aero Club was founded in 1901 by Frank Hedges Butler, his daughter Vera and the Hon Charles Rolls , partly inspired by the Aero Club of France...
pilot's certificate no. 2871. On 8 September, while flying a Royal Aircraft Factory BE.2
Royal Aircraft Factory BE.2
The Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2 was a British single-engine two-seat biplane which was in service with the Royal Flying Corps from 1912 until the end of World War I. The "Bleriot" in its designation refers to the fact that, like the Bleriot types it was of tractor configuration, with the...
c for 5 Squadron, he destroyed a Fokker Eindekker over Saint Julien. On the day after Christmas, he was severely wounded by Erwin Boehme. Upon recovery, he was posted to Home Establishment as an instructor. He remained there until he was promoted Captain and appointed Flight Commander in 73 Squadron, flying a Sopwith Camel
Sopwith Camel
The Sopwith Camel was a British First World War single-seat biplane fighter introduced on the Western Front in 1917. Manufactured by Sopwith Aviation Company, it had a short-coupled fuselage, heavy, powerful rotary engine, and concentrated fire from twin synchronized machine guns. Though difficult...
. Beginning 11 April 1918, he began to score a steady trickle of wins that took to a total of a dozen on 8 October. It was during this time that he earned both the DFC and a Bar in lieu of a second award; they were awarded more for his ground support missions than aerial success. At any rate, he ended the war with a tally of four German fighter planes destroyed, one set afire in midair, one captured, and six driven down out of control.
Military honors
Distinguished Flying CrossCapt. William Henry Hubbard,
During recent operations he has repeatedly
descended to low altitudes to release his
bombs and to open machine-gun fire on
troops and transport. He has shown the
greatest gallantry, judgment and presence
of mind. On several occasions he has
attacked and driven down out of control
enemy aeroplanes.
Bar to Distinguished Flying Cross
Capt. William Henry Hubbard, D.F.C.
(FRANCE.)
This officer has shown great bravery and
devotion to duty both in destroying enemy
aircraft—ten of which he has accounted for
—and in silencing anti-Tank guns. On
27 September, flying at altitudes between
200 and 1,500 feet, he engaged and silenced
many anti-Tank guns, thereby rendering
valuable service. He at the same time completed
a detailed and accurate reconnaissance
of the area, locating the position of
our troops.
Reference
- Under the Guns of the Kaiser's Aces: Bohme, Muller, Von Tutschek and Wolff: The Complete Record of Their Victories and Victims. Norman L. R. Franks, Hal Giblin. Grub Street, 2003. ISBN 1904010024, 9781904010029.