Brigadier Brigadier ( ) is a military rank, the seniority of which depends on the country. In some countries, it is a senior rank above colonel, equivalent to a brigadier general or commodore (rank), commodore, typically commanding a brigade of several t ...

Hector Cyril Daniel (189828 December 1953) was a South African military commander. He served in the

Royal Air Force The Royal Air Force (RAF) is the Air force, air and space force of the United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies. It was formed towards the end of the World War I, First World War on 1 April 1918, on the merger of t ...

World War I World War I or the First World War (28 July 1914 – 11 November 1918), also known as the Great War, was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War I, Allies (or Entente) and the Central Powers. Fighting to ...

, becoming an ace with nine aerial victories, and joined the

South African Air Force The South African Air Force (SAAF) is the air warfare branch of South African National Defence Force, with its headquarters in Pretoria. The South African Air Force was established on 1 February 1920. The Air Force saw service in World War II a ...

in 1923. He was (head of the SAAF) from 1937 until the outbreak of

World War II World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...

in 1939, when he was appointed . During the war, he was Inspector of the SAAF in 1940, senior SAAF officer in

East Africa East Africa, also known as Eastern Africa or the East of Africa, is a region at the eastern edge of the Africa, African continent, distinguished by its unique geographical, historical, and cultural landscape. Defined in varying scopes, the regi ...

from 1940 to 1941, and Air Officer Commanding 24 Group from 1941. Brigadier Daniel retired in 1953. He died by his own hand.

Military honors

Military Cross (MC)

{{cquote, 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.{{London Gazette , issue=30813, supp=y, date=26 July 1918, page=8792

List of Awards

* {{MilAward Desc, CBE, x25px * {{MilAward Desc, MC, x25px * {{MilAward Desc, AFC, x25px

References

{{Reflist {{s-start {{s-mil , - {{s-bef, before= Francis Hoare {{s-ttl, title=Director Air Services,

, years=1937-1939 {{s-aft, after=

John Holthouse Brigadier John Holthouse (19 April 18911964) was a South African military commander. He joined the Royal Air Force in 1918 and transferred to the South African Air Force in January 1921. He became the at Robert's Heights and OC of the o ...

{{s-end {{DEFAULTSORT:Daniel, Hector 1898 births 1953 deaths Military personnel from the Free State (province) People from Setsoto Local Municipality White South African people South African Air Force generals South African Air Force personnel of World War II Recipients of the Military Cross Recipients of the Air Force Cross (United Kingdom) Suicides in South Africa Military personnel who died by suicide South African Commanders of the Order of the British Empire South African World War I flying aces Graduates of the Staff College, Camberley {{SouthAfrica-mil-bio-stub

Military honors

Military Cross (MC)

List of Awards

See also

References