RCAF Aviation History: Flight-Lieutenant David Ernest Hornell, VC

Flight-Lieutenant DavidErnest Hornell, VC

(DND Photo)

F/L David ErnestHornell, 1944.

Flight-LieutenantDavid Ernest Hornell (26 Jan 1910 –24 Jun 1944), won the RCAF’s first Victoria Cross (posthumously)following an attack on a U-boat with his Consolidated PBY-5A Canso in 1944.  F/L Hornell VC was born on Toronto Island, Mimico,Ontario.  

He enlisted in the RCAF in January1941, and received his pilot's wings in September the same year. After furtherinstruction at Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, he was posted to the RCAFstation on North Vancouver Island. Commissioned in 1942, Flight LieutenantHornell completed 60 operational missions, involving some 600 hours flying.

Asthe pilot of a twin-engine Canso amphibian aircraft flying with RCAF No. 162 Squadron, he conducted an attack on a German U-boat in theNorth Atlantic on 24 June 1941.  U-1225was sunk, but in the process his Canso was shot down.  The crew spent some 21 hours in the water,and in spite of rescue, F/L Hornell died of exposure shortly after being pickedup.[1]

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3231553)

P/O David E. Hornell, RCAF, 4 Oct 1941.

The following is a detailed report of the action:

           “Flight-Lieutenant David Ernest Hornell, RCAF 162 Squadron, was captain and first pilot of a twin-engined amphibianaircraft engaged on an anti-submarine patrol in northern waters.  The patrol had lasted some hours when a fullysurfaced U-boat was sighted, travelling at high speed on the port beam.  Flight-Lieutenant Hornell at once turned toattack.

           The U-boat altered course.  The aircraft had been seen and there could beno surprise.  The U-boat opened up withanti-aircraft fire, which became increasingly fierce and accurate.  At a range of 1,200 yards, the front guns ofthe aircraft replied; then its starboard gun jammed, leaving only one guneffective.  Hits were obtained on andaround the conning tower of the U-boat, but the aircraft itself was hit, twolarge holes appearing in the starboard wing. 

           Ignoring the enemy fire, Flight Lieutenant Hornell carefullymanoeuvred for the attack.  Oil waspouring from his engine, which was, by this time, on fire, as was the starboardwing; and the petrol tanks were endangered. Meanwhile, the aircraft was hit again and again by the U-boat'sguns.  Holed in many places, it was vibratingviolently and very difficult to control. Nevertheless, the captain decided to press home his attack, knowing thatwith every moment the chances of escape for him and his gallant crew would growslenderer.  He brought his aircraft down verylow and released his depth charges in a perfect straddle.  The bow of the U-boat was lifted out of thewater.  It sank and the crew were seen inthe sea. 

           Flight-Lieutenant Hornell contrived, with superhumanefforts at the controls, to gain a little height.  The fire in the starboard wing had grown moreintense and the vibration had increased.  Then the burning engine fell off.  The plight of the aircraft and crew was nowdesperate.  With the utmost coolness, thecaptain took his aircraft into the wind and, despite the dangers, brought itsafely down on the heavy swell. Badly damaged, the aircraft rapidlysettled. 

           After the ordeal by fire, came ordeal by water.  There was only one dinghy, and this could nothold all the crew.  So, they took turnsin the water, holding on to the sides. Once, the dinghy capsized in the rough seas and was righted only withgreat difficulty.  Two of the crew succumbedfrom exposure.  An airborne lifeboat wasdropped to them but fell some 500 yards downwind.  The men struggled vainly to reach it andFlight-Lieutenant Hornell, who had encouraged them with his cheerfulness andinspiring leadership, proposed to swim to it, though he was nearly exhausted.  The survivors were finally rescued after theyhad been in the water for 21 hours.  By thistime Flight-Lieutenant Hornell was blinded and completely exhausted.  He died shortly after being picked up. 

           Flight-Lieutenant Hornell had completed 60 operational missions, involving 600 hours of flying.  He knew the danger and difficulties attending attacks on submarines.  By pressing home, a skilful and successful attack against fierce opposition, and by fortifying and encouraging his comrades inthe subsequent ordeal, this officer displayed valour and devotion of the highest order.”[2]

(DND Archives Photo, PMR77-147)

Boeing Canada Canso A RCAF (Serial No. 9754),No. 162 Squadron, RCAF, photographed in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, in 1943. This isthe aircraft that F/L David Hornell was flying when he and his crew were shot down on 24 Jun 1944.

David Hornell Junior School, an elementary school in Mimico is named after him. The Canso aircraft in the collection of the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum in Hamilton, Ontario, was restored in the colours and markings of No. 162 (Bomber Reconnaissance) Squadron and dedicated to the memory of Flight Lieutenant David Hornell, VC. A squadron of the Royal Canadian Air Cadets in the west end of Toronto, Ontario, is named after him.
A Toronto Island Airport ferry is named after Hornell. The Wing Operations building at No. 14 Wing, CFB Greenwood, Nova Scotia, Canada is named after Hornell. His Victoria Cross is on loan to 1 Canadian Air Division Winnipeg and is on display at the Air Force Heritage Museum. (Veterans Affairs Canada)

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