Hector Daniel

Brigadier Hector Cyril Daniel CBE MC AFC (1898– 28 December 1953)[2] was a South African military commander. He served in the Royal Air Force in World War I, becoming an ace with nine aerial victories,[3] and joined the South African Air Force in 1923.

Hector Cyril Daniel
Born	19 October 1898 Senekal, Orange Free State, South Africa
Died	28 December 1953 (aged 55)[1] Pretoria, Transvaal, South Africa
Allegiance	United Kingdom  Union of South Africa
Service/branch	Royal Flying Corps (1917-1918) Royal Air Force (1918-1919) South African Air Force (1923-1951)
Years of service	1914-1917
Rank	Brigadier
Unit	No. 43 Squadron (1917-1918) No. 70 Squadron (1918) 3 Fighting School
Battles/wars	Western Front World War II
Awards	Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire Military Cross Air Force Cross
Relations	Brig John Daniel SAAF (Brother)

He was Director of Air and Technical Services, i.e. head of the SAAF, from 1937 until the outbreak of World War II in 1939, when he was appointed Officer Commanding SAAF Headquarters. During the war, he was Inspector of the SAAF in 1940, senior SAAF officer in East Africa from 1940 to 1941, and Air Officer Commanding 24 Group from 1941.[4]

Brigadier Daniel retired in 1953. He died by his own hand.[3]

Military honors

Military Cross (MC)

T./2nd Lt. Hector Daniel, Gen. List and R.A.F.

For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in numerous aerial encounters. On one occasion he completely destroyed three enemy aeroplanes on the same day. He has in addition crashed three others and sent down two out of control. He has always displayed the greatest skill, keenness and courage in aerial fighting, and his services have been of inestimable value to his patrol leader.[5]

See also

• List of South African military chiefs
• South African Air Force

References

1. "DANIEL Hector Cyril 1898-1953 :: DANIEL John -1974". Eggsa.org. 2003-03-07. Retrieved 2015-05-08.
2. C.J. Nöthling, E.M. Meyers (1982). "Leaders through the years (1912-1982)". Scientaria Militaria. 12 (2): 91.CS1 maint: uses authors parameter (link)
3. "Hector Daniel". Theaerodrome.com. Retrieved 2015-05-08.
4. Uys, Ian (1992). South African Military Who's Who 1452-1992. Fortress Publishers. p. 57. ISBN 0-9583173-3-X.
5. Archived November 9, 2012, at the Wayback Machine