AR banner
Search Tips Advanced Search
Back to Top

• Kracker Archive
• Allied Losses
• Archiwum Polish
• Paradie Canadian
• RCAF
• RAAF
• RNZAF
• USA
• Searchable Lists

Info LogoAdd to or correct this story with a few clicks.
Archive Report: Allied Forces

Compiled from official National Archive and Service sources, contemporary press reports, personal logbooks, diaries and correspondence, reference books, other sources, and interviews.
Check our Research databases: Database List
.
We seek additional information and photographs. Please contact us via the Helpdesk.
888 crest
888 Squadron FAA Martlet II AM995 Sub/Lt. (A) William Clive Hooson

Operation: Training

Date: 02nd January 1942 (Friday)

Unit: No. 888 Squadron Fleet Air Arm

Type: Martlet II

Serial: AM995

Code:

Base: HMS Daedalus, Lee-on-Solent

Location: Cheesefoot Head

Pilot: Sub/Lt. (A) William Clive Hooson RNZNVR Age 21 Killed

REASON FOR LOSS:

On a formation practice flight when on peeling away at 14:40 hrs. dived into the ground at the location shown. The aircraft caught fire after the crash killing the young New Zealand pilot.

Burial details:

Sub/Lt. William Clive Hooson. Haslar Royal Naval Cemetery. New Ground G.9.22. Born on the 07th July 1920 at Wellington. Educated at Hutt Valley High School. A clerk for Burns Philp and Company Wellington. Enlisted on the 08th July 1940. Embarked for England on the 12th July 1940 arriving 27th August 1940. HMS Daedalus at Lee-on-Solent. With NAo. 24 Elementary Flying School on 10th November 1940. Attached to RAF Wilmslow in Cheshire 05th January 1941. Embarked for Canada in January 1941. Attached to 31 Service Flying School. Pilot badge awarded on the 17th May 1941 and commissioned. Embarked for England HMS Daedalus at Lee-on-Solent. Royal Navy College 28th July 1941. Joined 888 squadron.

Son of William Leslie (died 30th August 1954, age 66) and Florence Augusta Hooson (née Van Borssum - died 20th June 1986, age 87), of Lower Hutt, Wellington, New Zealand. Epitaph: 'Dearly Beloved Eldest Son Of W.L. And F.A. Hooson, Lower Hutt, New Zealand'.

Researched and dedicated to the relatives of this pilot with thanks to the extensive research by Errol Martyn and his publications: “For Your Tomorrow Vols. 1-3”, Auckland Library Heritage Collection, Weekly News of New Zealand, Air Museum of New Zealand, Museum of Transport and Technology, Auckland, Frank Grant and Kieran Williams for grave photograph. other sources as quoted below:

KTY 04-06-2022

Pages of Outstanding Interest
History Airborne Forces •  Soviet Night Witches •  Bomber Command Memories •  Abbreviations •  Gardening Codenames
CWGC: Your Relative's Grave Explained •  USA Flygirls •  Axis Awards Descriptions •  'Lack Of Moral Fibre'
Concept of Colonial Discrimination  •  Unauthorised First Long Range Mustang Attack
RAAF Bomb Aimer Evades with Maquis •  SOE Heroine Nancy Wake •  Fane: Motor Racing PRU Legend
Acknowledgements
Sources used by us in compiling Archive Reports include: Bill Chorley - 'Bomber Command Losses Vols. 1-9, plus ongoing revisions', Dr. Theo E.W. Boiten and Mr. Roderick J. Mackenzie - 'Nightfighter War Diaries Vols. 1 and 2', Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt - 'Bomber Command War Diaries', Commonwealth War Graves Commission, Tom Kracker - Kracker Luftwaffe Archives, Michel Beckers, Major Fred Paradie (RCAF) and Captain François Dutil (RCAF) - Paradie Archive (on this site), Jean Schadskaje, Major Jack O'Connor USAF (Retd.), Robert Gretzyngier, Wojtek Matusiak, Waldemar Wójcik and Józef Zieliński - 'Ku Czci Połeglyçh Lotnikow 1939-1945', Andrew Mielnik: Archiwum - Polish Air Force Archive (on this site), Anna Krzystek, Tadeusz Krzystek - 'Polskie Siły Powietrzne w Wielkiej Brytanii', Franek Grabowski, Polish graves: https://niebieskaeskadra.pl/, PoW Museum Żagań, Norman L.R. Franks 'Fighter Command Losses', Stan D. Bishop, John A. Hey MBE, Gerrie Franken and Maco Cillessen - Losses of the US 8th and 9th Air Forces, Vols 1-6, Dr. Theo E.W. Boiton - Nachtjagd Combat Archives, Vols 1-13. Aircrew Remembered Databases and our own archives. We are grateful for the support and encouragement of CWGC, UK Imperial War Museum, Australian War Memorial, Australian National Archives, New Zealand National Archives, UK National Archives and Fold3 and countless dedicated friends and researchers across the world.
Click any image to enlarge it

 Click to add your info via ticket on Helpdesk •Click to let us know via ticket on Helpdesk• Click to explore the entire site
If you would like to comment on this page, please do so via our Helpdesk. Use the Submit a Ticket option to send your comments. After review, our Editors will publish your comment below with your first name, but not your email address.

A word from the Editor: your contribution is important. We welcome your comments and information. Thanks in advance.

At the going down of the sun, and in the morning we will remember them. - Laurence Binyon
All site material (except as noted elsewhere) is owned or managed by Aircrew Remembered and should not be used without prior permission.
© Aircrew Remembered 2012 - 2025 Last Modified: 04 June 2022, 16:23

Monitor Additions/Changes?Click to be informed of changes to this page. Create account for first monitor only, thereafter very fast. Click to close without creating monitor