Thomas Falcon Hazell DSO, MC, DFC & Bar (7 August 1892 -4 Sept 1946) was a fighter pilot with the Royal Flying Corps, and later, the Royal Air Force during World War I. Falcon scored 43 victories between 1917-18 making him the fifth most successful British "flying ace" during the war, and the third most successful Irish-born pilot, behind Edward Mannock and George McElroy, as well the only pilot to survive the war from both groups.
Hazell was born in Moyrus (Moyres)between Roundstone and Cashel,County Galway on the west coast of Ireland, to Thomas Hazell a Magistrate and Cecile Buckley.
Hazell finished the war with 43 confirmed kills, the top British surviving ace of the 1914-18 war (excluding Dominion airmen).
His claims tally consisted of one captured enemy airplane; ten enemy observation balloons destroyed (two of which were shared); 18 enemy aircraft destroyed (including one shared); fourteen aircraft driven down 'out of control' (including 3 shared).
In the 1920s, having taken a permanent commission in the RAF, Major Hazell commanded squadrons in Iraq.
He retired a Squadron Leader 20 July 1927.
In 1944, at the age of 52, Hazell became the commander of "D" Company, 24th (Tettenhall) Battalion, South Staffordshire Home Guard UK during the later part of the Second World War.
A ceremony was held at his grave by the Mayo Peace Park committee on 4 August 2014 100 years after the declaration of WW1,Prayers and the last post was played many people attended. It was rededicated and restored having being found in a neglected state
Falcon Hazell was the grandson of Crimean Victoria Cross winner Captain Cecil William Buckley VC RN. (B:England 7th Oct 1828-Died:Portugal 7th December 1872).His mothers name maiden name was Falcon∼
A noted "air ace" in World War 1.
See also the entry for him in Wikipedia,
Thomas F. Hazell
Major Thomas Falcon "Bill" Hazell, D.S.O., M.C., D.F.C.
Son of Thomas Hazell and Cecil Isabell Buckley Hazell, who were married in Chipping Sodbury, Gloucestershire, in Q2, 1890.
In the 1901 census, Thomas Hazell was described as a Land Agent and Magistrate, aged 44, born in Co. Galway.
Falcon Hazell was the second child, eldest son, of their five children [later six]. He was then aged 8.
Educated at Tonbridge School.
At the outbreak of the War, he enlisted as a private in the South Irish Horse.
He was commissioned a temporary Second Lieutenant in the Infantry, on 10 October 1914, and was later posted to the 7th Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. In 1916, he transferred to the Royal Flying Corps.
After training, he joined No. 1 Squadron on the Western Front.
His flying service period appears to date from March 1917 to October 1918, during which he flew 43 missions during which he engaged the enemy with success. 5 of these victories were shared with other pilots.
In October 1918, he was promoted to Major, and after the war he was given a permanent commission in the RAF.
He was awarded the Military Cross in 1917.
London Gazette, 26 July 1917
"For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. On several occasions he displayed marked courage and determination in attacking and destroying hostile aircraft".
He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross & Bar in 1918.
London Gazette, 2 November 1918.
"This officer is conspicuous for his bravery and skill, having destroyed twenty enemy machines and four kite balloons. On one occasion, while attacking troops on the ground, he observed seven enemy scouts above him; he at once engaged them, shooting down one out of control. Some days later he, with another pilot, attacked a kite balloon, driving it down in flames; they then attacked a second balloon, driving it down in a deflated condition"
"This officer has accounted for twenty seven enemy machines and four kite balloons. On the 8th August he shot down two machines out of control, and destroyed a third in the air. In these combats he was so heavily engaged that all his instruments were wrecked, and only one strand of his elevator control cable was intact. Relentless in attack, Capt. Hazell displays disregard of personal danger in a marked degree"
He was awarded the Distinguished Service Order in 1919.
London Gazette, 8 February 1919.
"A brilliant fighter, distinguished for his bold determination and rare courage, he has accounted for twenty-nine enemy machines, twenty being destroyed and nine driven down out of control; he has also destroyed ten balloons. On 4th September he rendered exceptionally valuable service in leading his flight to attack hostile balloons that were making a certain road impassable. Within an hour three of these balloons were destroyed, Major Hazell accounting for two"
London Gazette, 30 June 1922.
The Royal Air Force.
Flight Lt. Tom Falcon Hazell, D.S.O. M.C., D.F.C., to be Squadron Leader.
In World War 2, he was involved in the organisation and command of the Home Guard in Britain.
Death Notice and Acknowledgement
Published in The Irish Times, 5-9 October 1946.
HAZELL (Newport, Co. Mayo) - September 4, 1946, suddenly, Major Tom Falcon Hazell, D.S.O., M.C., D.F.C., of Nenagh, Co. Tipperary.
HAZELL - The relatives and intimates of Major T. F. Hazell wish to return their heartfelt thanks to all kind friends who have given them valued sympathy and assistance in their recent sad bereavement.
An Appreciation
in "The Irishman's Diary"
The Irish Times, Saturday 7 September 1946.
"BILL" HAZELL
I was deeply shocked during the week when I read of the death of my old friend Major T. F. Hazell, D.S.O., M.C., D.F.C., which occurred at Newport, Co. Mayo. "Bill" Hazell, as he was known to everybody, was a director of the aluminium factory at Nenagh: but he was far more than that. He was one of the most notable airmen of the 1914-1918 war. By one of the strange metamorphoses which one finds so often in the case of popular men, he never was called by his proper name, which incidentally, was not Tom, but Falcon. He was a native of Roundstone, Co. Galway, where so far as I can remember, his father was a retired civil servant, and possibly a land agent.
He joined up in the first World War, and was an early "ace" in the Royal Flying Corps. If I am not mistaken, he had more victories to his credit when the war came to an end than any other fighter pilot. Not only was he decorated with the D.S.O., the Military Cross, and the Distinguished Flying Cross: but he had "bars" to at least one of them, and was recognised as one of the most distinguished airmen in His Majesty's service. When he went into business in Nenagh, he became exceedingly popular with all sorts and condition of men. An old and beloved member of the United Services Club in Dublin, he was a grand fellow - a great soldier, a fine sportsman, and, above all, a gentleman. He would not have wished for a better epitaph.
Other Irish Air Men of WW1, include,
Captain Edward Henry McElroy
Major Edward Corringham Mannock
His grave has not yet been located, but he is thought to have been buried with his parents in Newport, Co. Mayo.
Hazell was born in Moyrus (Moyres)between Roundstone and Cashel,County Galway on the west coast of Ireland, to Thomas Hazell a Magistrate and Cecile Buckley.
Hazell finished the war with 43 confirmed kills, the top British surviving ace of the 1914-18 war (excluding Dominion airmen).
His claims tally consisted of one captured enemy airplane; ten enemy observation balloons destroyed (two of which were shared); 18 enemy aircraft destroyed (including one shared); fourteen aircraft driven down 'out of control' (including 3 shared).
In the 1920s, having taken a permanent commission in the RAF, Major Hazell commanded squadrons in Iraq.
He retired a Squadron Leader 20 July 1927.
In 1944, at the age of 52, Hazell became the commander of "D" Company, 24th (Tettenhall) Battalion, South Staffordshire Home Guard UK during the later part of the Second World War.
A ceremony was held at his grave by the Mayo Peace Park committee on 4 August 2014 100 years after the declaration of WW1,Prayers and the last post was played many people attended. It was rededicated and restored having being found in a neglected state
Falcon Hazell was the grandson of Crimean Victoria Cross winner Captain Cecil William Buckley VC RN. (B:England 7th Oct 1828-Died:Portugal 7th December 1872).His mothers name maiden name was Falcon∼
A noted "air ace" in World War 1.
See also the entry for him in Wikipedia,
Thomas F. Hazell
Major Thomas Falcon "Bill" Hazell, D.S.O., M.C., D.F.C.
Son of Thomas Hazell and Cecil Isabell Buckley Hazell, who were married in Chipping Sodbury, Gloucestershire, in Q2, 1890.
In the 1901 census, Thomas Hazell was described as a Land Agent and Magistrate, aged 44, born in Co. Galway.
Falcon Hazell was the second child, eldest son, of their five children [later six]. He was then aged 8.
Educated at Tonbridge School.
At the outbreak of the War, he enlisted as a private in the South Irish Horse.
He was commissioned a temporary Second Lieutenant in the Infantry, on 10 October 1914, and was later posted to the 7th Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. In 1916, he transferred to the Royal Flying Corps.
After training, he joined No. 1 Squadron on the Western Front.
His flying service period appears to date from March 1917 to October 1918, during which he flew 43 missions during which he engaged the enemy with success. 5 of these victories were shared with other pilots.
In October 1918, he was promoted to Major, and after the war he was given a permanent commission in the RAF.
He was awarded the Military Cross in 1917.
London Gazette, 26 July 1917
"For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. On several occasions he displayed marked courage and determination in attacking and destroying hostile aircraft".
He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross & Bar in 1918.
London Gazette, 2 November 1918.
"This officer is conspicuous for his bravery and skill, having destroyed twenty enemy machines and four kite balloons. On one occasion, while attacking troops on the ground, he observed seven enemy scouts above him; he at once engaged them, shooting down one out of control. Some days later he, with another pilot, attacked a kite balloon, driving it down in flames; they then attacked a second balloon, driving it down in a deflated condition"
"This officer has accounted for twenty seven enemy machines and four kite balloons. On the 8th August he shot down two machines out of control, and destroyed a third in the air. In these combats he was so heavily engaged that all his instruments were wrecked, and only one strand of his elevator control cable was intact. Relentless in attack, Capt. Hazell displays disregard of personal danger in a marked degree"
He was awarded the Distinguished Service Order in 1919.
London Gazette, 8 February 1919.
"A brilliant fighter, distinguished for his bold determination and rare courage, he has accounted for twenty-nine enemy machines, twenty being destroyed and nine driven down out of control; he has also destroyed ten balloons. On 4th September he rendered exceptionally valuable service in leading his flight to attack hostile balloons that were making a certain road impassable. Within an hour three of these balloons were destroyed, Major Hazell accounting for two"
London Gazette, 30 June 1922.
The Royal Air Force.
Flight Lt. Tom Falcon Hazell, D.S.O. M.C., D.F.C., to be Squadron Leader.
In World War 2, he was involved in the organisation and command of the Home Guard in Britain.
Death Notice and Acknowledgement
Published in The Irish Times, 5-9 October 1946.
HAZELL (Newport, Co. Mayo) - September 4, 1946, suddenly, Major Tom Falcon Hazell, D.S.O., M.C., D.F.C., of Nenagh, Co. Tipperary.
HAZELL - The relatives and intimates of Major T. F. Hazell wish to return their heartfelt thanks to all kind friends who have given them valued sympathy and assistance in their recent sad bereavement.
An Appreciation
in "The Irishman's Diary"
The Irish Times, Saturday 7 September 1946.
"BILL" HAZELL
I was deeply shocked during the week when I read of the death of my old friend Major T. F. Hazell, D.S.O., M.C., D.F.C., which occurred at Newport, Co. Mayo. "Bill" Hazell, as he was known to everybody, was a director of the aluminium factory at Nenagh: but he was far more than that. He was one of the most notable airmen of the 1914-1918 war. By one of the strange metamorphoses which one finds so often in the case of popular men, he never was called by his proper name, which incidentally, was not Tom, but Falcon. He was a native of Roundstone, Co. Galway, where so far as I can remember, his father was a retired civil servant, and possibly a land agent.
He joined up in the first World War, and was an early "ace" in the Royal Flying Corps. If I am not mistaken, he had more victories to his credit when the war came to an end than any other fighter pilot. Not only was he decorated with the D.S.O., the Military Cross, and the Distinguished Flying Cross: but he had "bars" to at least one of them, and was recognised as one of the most distinguished airmen in His Majesty's service. When he went into business in Nenagh, he became exceedingly popular with all sorts and condition of men. An old and beloved member of the United Services Club in Dublin, he was a grand fellow - a great soldier, a fine sportsman, and, above all, a gentleman. He would not have wished for a better epitaph.
Other Irish Air Men of WW1, include,
Captain Edward Henry McElroy
Major Edward Corringham Mannock
His grave has not yet been located, but he is thought to have been buried with his parents in Newport, Co. Mayo.
Thomas Falcon Hazell DSO, MC, DFC & Bar (7 August 1892 -4 Sept 1946) was a fighter pilot with the Royal Flying Corps, and later, the Royal Air Force during World War I. Falcon scored 43 victories between 1917-18 making him the fifth most successful British "flying ace" during the war, and the third most successful Irish-born pilot, behind Edward Mannock and George McElroy, as well the only pilot to survive the war from both groups.
Hazell was born in Moyrus (Moyres)between Roundstone and Cashel,County Galway on the west coast of Ireland, to Thomas Hazell a Magistrate and Cecile Buckley.
Hazell finished the war with 43 confirmed kills, the top British surviving ace of the 1914-18 war (excluding Dominion airmen).
His claims tally consisted of one captured enemy airplane; ten enemy observation balloons destroyed (two of which were shared); 18 enemy aircraft destroyed (including one shared); fourteen aircraft driven down 'out of control' (including 3 shared).
In the 1920s, having taken a permanent commission in the RAF, Major Hazell commanded squadrons in Iraq.
He retired a Squadron Leader 20 July 1927.
In 1944, at the age of 52, Hazell became the commander of "D" Company, 24th (Tettenhall) Battalion, South Staffordshire Home Guard UK during the later part of the Second World War.
A ceremony was held at his grave by the Mayo Peace Park committee on 4 August 2014 100 years after the declaration of WW1,Prayers and the last post was played many people attended. It was rededicated and restored having being found in a neglected state
Falcon Hazell was the grandson of Crimean Victoria Cross winner Captain Cecil William Buckley VC RN. (B:England 7th Oct 1828-Died:Portugal 7th December 1872).His mothers name maiden name was Falcon∼
A noted "air ace" in World War 1.
See also the entry for him in Wikipedia,
Thomas F. Hazell
Major Thomas Falcon "Bill" Hazell, D.S.O., M.C., D.F.C.
Son of Thomas Hazell and Cecil Isabell Buckley Hazell, who were married in Chipping Sodbury, Gloucestershire, in Q2, 1890.
In the 1901 census, Thomas Hazell was described as a Land Agent and Magistrate, aged 44, born in Co. Galway.
Falcon Hazell was the second child, eldest son, of their five children [later six]. He was then aged 8.
Educated at Tonbridge School.
At the outbreak of the War, he enlisted as a private in the South Irish Horse.
He was commissioned a temporary Second Lieutenant in the Infantry, on 10 October 1914, and was later posted to the 7th Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. In 1916, he transferred to the Royal Flying Corps.
After training, he joined No. 1 Squadron on the Western Front.
His flying service period appears to date from March 1917 to October 1918, during which he flew 43 missions during which he engaged the enemy with success. 5 of these victories were shared with other pilots.
In October 1918, he was promoted to Major, and after the war he was given a permanent commission in the RAF.
He was awarded the Military Cross in 1917.
London Gazette, 26 July 1917
"For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. On several occasions he displayed marked courage and determination in attacking and destroying hostile aircraft".
He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross & Bar in 1918.
London Gazette, 2 November 1918.
"This officer is conspicuous for his bravery and skill, having destroyed twenty enemy machines and four kite balloons. On one occasion, while attacking troops on the ground, he observed seven enemy scouts above him; he at once engaged them, shooting down one out of control. Some days later he, with another pilot, attacked a kite balloon, driving it down in flames; they then attacked a second balloon, driving it down in a deflated condition"
"This officer has accounted for twenty seven enemy machines and four kite balloons. On the 8th August he shot down two machines out of control, and destroyed a third in the air. In these combats he was so heavily engaged that all his instruments were wrecked, and only one strand of his elevator control cable was intact. Relentless in attack, Capt. Hazell displays disregard of personal danger in a marked degree"
He was awarded the Distinguished Service Order in 1919.
London Gazette, 8 February 1919.
"A brilliant fighter, distinguished for his bold determination and rare courage, he has accounted for twenty-nine enemy machines, twenty being destroyed and nine driven down out of control; he has also destroyed ten balloons. On 4th September he rendered exceptionally valuable service in leading his flight to attack hostile balloons that were making a certain road impassable. Within an hour three of these balloons were destroyed, Major Hazell accounting for two"
London Gazette, 30 June 1922.
The Royal Air Force.
Flight Lt. Tom Falcon Hazell, D.S.O. M.C., D.F.C., to be Squadron Leader.
In World War 2, he was involved in the organisation and command of the Home Guard in Britain.
Death Notice and Acknowledgement
Published in The Irish Times, 5-9 October 1946.
HAZELL (Newport, Co. Mayo) - September 4, 1946, suddenly, Major Tom Falcon Hazell, D.S.O., M.C., D.F.C., of Nenagh, Co. Tipperary.
HAZELL - The relatives and intimates of Major T. F. Hazell wish to return their heartfelt thanks to all kind friends who have given them valued sympathy and assistance in their recent sad bereavement.
An Appreciation
in "The Irishman's Diary"
The Irish Times, Saturday 7 September 1946.
"BILL" HAZELL
I was deeply shocked during the week when I read of the death of my old friend Major T. F. Hazell, D.S.O., M.C., D.F.C., which occurred at Newport, Co. Mayo. "Bill" Hazell, as he was known to everybody, was a director of the aluminium factory at Nenagh: but he was far more than that. He was one of the most notable airmen of the 1914-1918 war. By one of the strange metamorphoses which one finds so often in the case of popular men, he never was called by his proper name, which incidentally, was not Tom, but Falcon. He was a native of Roundstone, Co. Galway, where so far as I can remember, his father was a retired civil servant, and possibly a land agent.
He joined up in the first World War, and was an early "ace" in the Royal Flying Corps. If I am not mistaken, he had more victories to his credit when the war came to an end than any other fighter pilot. Not only was he decorated with the D.S.O., the Military Cross, and the Distinguished Flying Cross: but he had "bars" to at least one of them, and was recognised as one of the most distinguished airmen in His Majesty's service. When he went into business in Nenagh, he became exceedingly popular with all sorts and condition of men. An old and beloved member of the United Services Club in Dublin, he was a grand fellow - a great soldier, a fine sportsman, and, above all, a gentleman. He would not have wished for a better epitaph.
Other Irish Air Men of WW1, include,
Captain Edward Henry McElroy
Major Edward Corringham Mannock
His grave has not yet been located, but he is thought to have been buried with his parents in Newport, Co. Mayo.
Hazell was born in Moyrus (Moyres)between Roundstone and Cashel,County Galway on the west coast of Ireland, to Thomas Hazell a Magistrate and Cecile Buckley.
Hazell finished the war with 43 confirmed kills, the top British surviving ace of the 1914-18 war (excluding Dominion airmen).
His claims tally consisted of one captured enemy airplane; ten enemy observation balloons destroyed (two of which were shared); 18 enemy aircraft destroyed (including one shared); fourteen aircraft driven down 'out of control' (including 3 shared).
In the 1920s, having taken a permanent commission in the RAF, Major Hazell commanded squadrons in Iraq.
He retired a Squadron Leader 20 July 1927.
In 1944, at the age of 52, Hazell became the commander of "D" Company, 24th (Tettenhall) Battalion, South Staffordshire Home Guard UK during the later part of the Second World War.
A ceremony was held at his grave by the Mayo Peace Park committee on 4 August 2014 100 years after the declaration of WW1,Prayers and the last post was played many people attended. It was rededicated and restored having being found in a neglected state
Falcon Hazell was the grandson of Crimean Victoria Cross winner Captain Cecil William Buckley VC RN. (B:England 7th Oct 1828-Died:Portugal 7th December 1872).His mothers name maiden name was Falcon∼
A noted "air ace" in World War 1.
See also the entry for him in Wikipedia,
Thomas F. Hazell
Major Thomas Falcon "Bill" Hazell, D.S.O., M.C., D.F.C.
Son of Thomas Hazell and Cecil Isabell Buckley Hazell, who were married in Chipping Sodbury, Gloucestershire, in Q2, 1890.
In the 1901 census, Thomas Hazell was described as a Land Agent and Magistrate, aged 44, born in Co. Galway.
Falcon Hazell was the second child, eldest son, of their five children [later six]. He was then aged 8.
Educated at Tonbridge School.
At the outbreak of the War, he enlisted as a private in the South Irish Horse.
He was commissioned a temporary Second Lieutenant in the Infantry, on 10 October 1914, and was later posted to the 7th Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. In 1916, he transferred to the Royal Flying Corps.
After training, he joined No. 1 Squadron on the Western Front.
His flying service period appears to date from March 1917 to October 1918, during which he flew 43 missions during which he engaged the enemy with success. 5 of these victories were shared with other pilots.
In October 1918, he was promoted to Major, and after the war he was given a permanent commission in the RAF.
He was awarded the Military Cross in 1917.
London Gazette, 26 July 1917
"For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. On several occasions he displayed marked courage and determination in attacking and destroying hostile aircraft".
He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross & Bar in 1918.
London Gazette, 2 November 1918.
"This officer is conspicuous for his bravery and skill, having destroyed twenty enemy machines and four kite balloons. On one occasion, while attacking troops on the ground, he observed seven enemy scouts above him; he at once engaged them, shooting down one out of control. Some days later he, with another pilot, attacked a kite balloon, driving it down in flames; they then attacked a second balloon, driving it down in a deflated condition"
"This officer has accounted for twenty seven enemy machines and four kite balloons. On the 8th August he shot down two machines out of control, and destroyed a third in the air. In these combats he was so heavily engaged that all his instruments were wrecked, and only one strand of his elevator control cable was intact. Relentless in attack, Capt. Hazell displays disregard of personal danger in a marked degree"
He was awarded the Distinguished Service Order in 1919.
London Gazette, 8 February 1919.
"A brilliant fighter, distinguished for his bold determination and rare courage, he has accounted for twenty-nine enemy machines, twenty being destroyed and nine driven down out of control; he has also destroyed ten balloons. On 4th September he rendered exceptionally valuable service in leading his flight to attack hostile balloons that were making a certain road impassable. Within an hour three of these balloons were destroyed, Major Hazell accounting for two"
London Gazette, 30 June 1922.
The Royal Air Force.
Flight Lt. Tom Falcon Hazell, D.S.O. M.C., D.F.C., to be Squadron Leader.
In World War 2, he was involved in the organisation and command of the Home Guard in Britain.
Death Notice and Acknowledgement
Published in The Irish Times, 5-9 October 1946.
HAZELL (Newport, Co. Mayo) - September 4, 1946, suddenly, Major Tom Falcon Hazell, D.S.O., M.C., D.F.C., of Nenagh, Co. Tipperary.
HAZELL - The relatives and intimates of Major T. F. Hazell wish to return their heartfelt thanks to all kind friends who have given them valued sympathy and assistance in their recent sad bereavement.
An Appreciation
in "The Irishman's Diary"
The Irish Times, Saturday 7 September 1946.
"BILL" HAZELL
I was deeply shocked during the week when I read of the death of my old friend Major T. F. Hazell, D.S.O., M.C., D.F.C., which occurred at Newport, Co. Mayo. "Bill" Hazell, as he was known to everybody, was a director of the aluminium factory at Nenagh: but he was far more than that. He was one of the most notable airmen of the 1914-1918 war. By one of the strange metamorphoses which one finds so often in the case of popular men, he never was called by his proper name, which incidentally, was not Tom, but Falcon. He was a native of Roundstone, Co. Galway, where so far as I can remember, his father was a retired civil servant, and possibly a land agent.
He joined up in the first World War, and was an early "ace" in the Royal Flying Corps. If I am not mistaken, he had more victories to his credit when the war came to an end than any other fighter pilot. Not only was he decorated with the D.S.O., the Military Cross, and the Distinguished Flying Cross: but he had "bars" to at least one of them, and was recognised as one of the most distinguished airmen in His Majesty's service. When he went into business in Nenagh, he became exceedingly popular with all sorts and condition of men. An old and beloved member of the United Services Club in Dublin, he was a grand fellow - a great soldier, a fine sportsman, and, above all, a gentleman. He would not have wished for a better epitaph.
Other Irish Air Men of WW1, include,
Captain Edward Henry McElroy
Major Edward Corringham Mannock
His grave has not yet been located, but he is thought to have been buried with his parents in Newport, Co. Mayo.
Gravesite Details
St Catherine's Church, Burrishoole Parish, Newport, County Mayo (c1800). This church closed in 1990 and has since been converted into a private home.
