Hunter, Henry John Francis

Date of birth:: December 29th, 1893 (London, United Kingdom)
Date of death:: September 12th, 1966 (Exeter/Devon, United Kingdom)
Nationality:: British

Biography

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Military Cross (MC)

Period:: First World War (1914-1918)
Rank:: Captain
Unit:: No. 34 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps
Awarded on:: October 20th, 1916

Citation:
"For conspicuous gallantry and skill. He has done fine work for the artillery and has accounted for many enemy guns. On one occasion, when a heavy storm drove all other machines back to their aerodromes and the enemy guns took the opportunity to become active, he remained up and did fine work."

Mentioned in Dispatches

Period:: First World War (1914-1918)
Awarded on:: December 11th, 1917

Citation:
"As a Corps Squadron Commander from the beginning of June 1917 till this date, Major Hunter has done fine work, keeping his squadron most efficient and maintaining a very high morale and standard of work."

Mentioned in Dispatches

Awarded on:: July 11th, 1919

Citation:
"For continuous good work, both as an organiser on the ground, and while on artillery and contact patrol work in the air, during the operations preceding the Armistice."

2nd award for same act.

Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:: September 24th, 1941

Recommendation:
"This officer has commanded an operational station with two heavy bomber squadrons since September 1939, when he took over command of the R.A.F. Station, Driffield. After severe bombing and successive attacks which necessitated the transfer of the two squadrons, he opened up R.A.F. Topcliffe and has continued operations under most difficult conditions. He has shown unfailing loyalty, keenness and devotion to duty and does not spare himself in directing, guiding and encouraging his crews. The fact that the station and squadrons are full of fight is due a great deal to the example of steady courage and calm control of Group Captain Hunter during bombing attacks, one of which was more severe than on any other station in England."