William Hodgson

William Henry Hodgson (30 September 1920 – 13 March 1941) was a New Zealand fighter pilot and flying ace who flew in the Royal Air Force (RAF) during the Second World War. He was officially credited with the destruction of five enemy aircraft. Born in Frankton Junction, he joined the Royal New Zealand Air Force in May 1939. After completing flight training, he went to the United Kingdom, arriving in April 1940. Shortly afterwards, he transferred to the RAF and was posted to No. 85 Squadron. He flew extensively during the Battle of Britain, shooting down a number of German aircraft. He was taken off flying duties in February 1941 due to a medical issue with his eyes, which had been injured the previous year. He was killed the following month when the Douglas A-20 Havoc, flown by another Battle of Britain flying ace, Geoffrey Allard, on which he was a passenger crashed shortly after takeoff. Early life Born on 30 September 1920 in Frankton Junction near Hamilton, William Henry Hodgson was one of two sons of Harry and Leonora Hodgson. His family moved south to Dunedin when Hodgson was young, and he was educated at Macandrew Road School and then went onto King Edward Technical College. After completing his schooling, he worked as a technician at a radio station. He was also an age-group representative for Otago in rugby union. Already a pilot in the civil reserve, in May 1939 he was accepted for a short service commission in the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF). He underwent flight training at the Otago Aero Club in Dunedin before going on to the RNZAF No. 1 Flight Training School at Wigram, where he flew Avro Tutors, Fairey Gordons and Vickers Vildebeests. Second World War The Second World War had broken out by the time Hodgson had gained his wings and he travelled to England aboard the SS Remuera the following March as an acting pilot officer. Shortly after his arrival, having proceeded to Uxbridge for an induction course, he transferred to the Royal Air Force (RAF). After completing his induction, he went to No. 1 Fighter Pilot Unit at Meir and then No. 6 Operational Training Unit at Sutton Bridge for a conversion course on the Hawker Hurricane.