Herbert Hegarty

Captain Herbert George Hegarty (31 October 1885 – 1953) was an Irish World War I flying ace credited with eight aerial victories.

Early life and education Hegarty was born in Clonbur, County Galway, and was educated at Portora Royal School, Enniskillen. He then gained a position at the Hongkong and Shanghai Bank, based in Hong Kong. He also served as a second lieutenant in the Hong Kong Artillery and Rifle Volunteer Corps from October 1911.

World War I In 1917 Hegarty travelled from Hong Kong to England via North America. and was posted to No. 5 and No. 28 Training Squadrons between July and September, being confirmed in his rank on 8 September.

In November 1917 Hegarty was posted to No. 60 Squadron RFC based at Sainte-Marie-Cappel, France, to fly a S.E.5a single-seat fighter.

Hegarty was appointed a flight commander with the temporary rank of captain on 13 June, and gained two more aerial victories on 30 June and 1 July.

List of aerial victories +Combat record No.Date/TimeAircraft/Serial No.Opponent Result Location Notes1 28 January 1918@ 1320 S.E.5a (B626) Albatros D.V Out of control Kortemark, Belgium 2 4 February 1918@ 1125 S.E.5a(B626) Albatros D.V Destroyed in flames Zonnebeke, Belgium Shared with Lieutenant H. D. Crompton.3 18 February 1918@ 1230 S.E.5a(C9536) Albatros D.V Out of control Staden, Belgium 4 30 March 1918@ 1110 S.E.5a(C5381) Albatros D.V Destroyed South of Albert, France 5 14 May 1918@ 0730 S.E.5a(B190) Albatros C Destroyed Moreuil, France 6 16 May 1918@ 0845 S.E.5a(B190) LVG C Destroyed Fampoux, France Shared with Lieutenant John Griffith.7 30 June 1918@ 0510 S.E.5a(D5992) Albatros D.V Destroyed Rainecourt, France 8 1 July 1918@ 0840 S.E.5a(D5992) Halberstadt C Destroyed Bray, France