Ernest Hardcastle
Lieutenant Ernest Hardcastle (31 December 1898 – November 1973) was an English World War I flying ace observer/gunner credited with twelve aerial victories. He would return to military service during World War II. Early life and service Ernest Hardcastle was born on 31 December 1898 in Dudley Hill, Bradford, England. 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, and after initial training as a cadet, was commissioned as a temporary second lieutenant (on probation) on 30 January 1918. He was assigned to No. 20 Squadron RAF as an observer/gunner on 18 April 1918. World War I aerial service 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. Hardcastle was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, which was gazetted on 2 November 1918. On 20 December 1918