Thomas Hunter

Captain Thomas Vicars Hunter (2 April 1897 – 5 December 1917) was a British First World War flying ace credited with five aerial victories. While serving in the Rifle Brigade he had a leg amputated following a motorcycle accident; he was the first known military pilot to qualify and fly in combat despite his disability.

Biography Family background and education Hunter was born in London, the younger of the two sons of Henry Charles Vicars Hunter, , and the Honourable Florence Edith Louise (née Dormer), daughter of John Baptist Joseph Dormer, 12th Baron Dormer of Wyng. His father was the principal landowner in Kilburn, Derbyshire, but lived at Abermarlais Park, Llangadog, Carmarthenshire. In January 1915, Hunter broke his leg in a motorcycling accident, developed sepsis in hospital, and eventually had to have his leg amputated above the knee in July. Hunter was placed on half-pay on account of his injuries on 9 February 1916. He was later assigned to duty at the War Office, but was eventually passed fit for home service,

Hunter transferred to the Royal Flying Corps in February 1917, He was posted to No. 66 Squadron RFC for front-line service in France On 3 September he gained his fourth victory, driving down an Albatros D.V out of control north-east of Menen. and gained his fifth and final victory on 8 November, driving down another D.V., his squadron by then having been re-equipped with the Sopwith Camel. "...I immediately throttled my engine fully back in order to hold my position in the turn. However, the turn had been too sharp and I lost sight of him as he turned under me. In a Camel you cannot see objects directly below you. My aircraft was in an almost stalled position and I expected to see him coming out of the turn to the left of my aircraft. In that moment our two aircraft collided".

Locked together, the aircraft descended in a slow spin, until finally separating at . Ryan was able to make an emergency landing, suffering from some minor injuries and shock, but Hunter crashed and was killed.