Ernest Hardcastle

Lieutenant Ernest Hardcastle DFC (31 December 1898 – November 1973) was an English World War I flying ace observer/gunner credited with twelve aerial victories.[1] He would return to military service during World War II.

Ernest Hardcastle
Born(1898-12-31)31 December 1898
Dudley Hill, Bradford, England
DiedNovember 1973 (aged 74–75)
Bexhill-on-Sea, Sussex, England
AllegianceUnited Kingdom
Service/branchBritish Army
Royal Air Force
Years of servicec.1916–1919
1940–1945
RankLieutenant
UnitNo. 20 Squadron RAF
Battles/warsWorld War I
 • Western Front
World War II
AwardsDistinguished Flying Cross

Early life and service

Ernest Hardcastle was born on 31 December 1898 in Dudley Hill, Bradford, England.[2]

Hardcastle worked for the Bradford Chamber of Commerce until World War I began. He enlisted in the Yorkshire Regiment, but transferred to the Royal Flying Corps in August 1917,[3] and after initial training as a cadet, was commissioned as a temporary second lieutenant (on probation) on 30 January 1918.[4] He was assigned to No. 20 Squadron RAF as an observer/gunner on 18 April 1918.[3]

World War I aerial service
See also: Aerial victory standards of World War I

Hardcastle's winning streak began on 8 May 1918 and ended on 30 July 1918, with all but one victory being over an enemy fighter aircraft. His final claim tally was nine destroyed and three 'driven down out of control'. The pilots aiding him included fellow aces Lieutenants Victor Groom and August Iaccaci, as well as Captains Douglas Graham Cooke, and Horace Percy Lale.[1][5] Hardcastle was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, which was gazetted on 2 November 1918.[2]

On 20 December 1918 he relinquished his commission for reasons of ill health resulting from military service.[6] Hardcastle was transferred to the unemployed list by the Royal Air Force on 13 February 1919.[7][2]

World War II

Hardcastle returned to military service in World War II, being commissioned as a pilot officer (on probation) in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve on 30 September 1940.[8] On 30 September 1941 he was confirmed in his appointment as a flying officer.[9] On 1 January 1943 he was promoted to flight lieutenant.[10] On 9 June 1945, he again relinquished his commission on account of medical unfitness.[11]

Honours and awards
Distinguished Flying Cross
Lieutenant Ernest Hardcastle
This officer displayed great courage and skill on two occasions when he was observer in company with Lieut. Groom. While on patrol their formation of eight attacked twenty-five hostile scouts; he and Lieut. Groom accounted for two. On another occasion, when with the same officer, they were attacked by twelve scouts, two of these they shot down.[12]
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References
Citations
  1. "Ernest Hardcastle". The Aerodrome. 2015. Retrieved 4 March 2015.
  2. Franks (1997), et al, p. 22.
  3. Guttman & Dempsey (2007), p. 51.
  4. "No. 30532". The London Gazette (Supplement). 15 February 1918. p. 2192.
  5. Guttman & Dempsey (2007), pp. 51—55.
  6. "No. 31073". The London Gazette (Supplement). 19 December 1918. p. 14893.
  7. "No. 31223". The London Gazette. 11 March 1919. p. 3296.
  8. "No. 34986". The London Gazette. 5 November 1940. p. 6400.
  9. "No. 35358". The London Gazette. 25 November 1941. pp. 6784–6785.
  10. "No. 35855". The London Gazette. 8 January 1943. pp. 220–221.
  11. "No. 37146". The London Gazette (Supplement). 26 June 1945. p. 3319.
  12. "No. 30989". The London Gazette (Supplement). 2 November 1918. p. 12966.
Bibliography
  • Franks, Norman; Guest, Russell; Alegi, Gregory (1997). Above the War Fronts: the British Two-seater Bomber Pilot and Observer Aces, the British Two-seater Fighter Observer Aces, and the Belgian, Italian, Austro-Hungarian and Russian Fighter Aces, 1914-1918: Volume 4 of Fighting Airmen of WWI Series: Volume 4 of Air Aces of WWI. Grub Street. ISBN 189869-756-6 ISBN 978-1-89869-756-5
  • Guttman, Jon & Dempsey, Harry (2007). Bristol F2 Fighter Aces of World War I. Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84603-201-1.
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