The son of William Hubbard, Will Hubbard was born at the Rope and Anchor Inn, a family owned pub in Todmorden. Enlisting in the Warwickshire Yeomanry in 1914, he served at Mons and with the Royal Naval Motor Squadron before becoming a pilot in the Royal Flying Corps. An experienced ground attack pilot, Hubbard scored 10 victories flying Sopwith Camels. After downing an Albatros two-seater on 26 August 1918, his engine failed and he was forced to land behind enemy lines. As he struggled to restart the engine, a few meters away, a German soldier fired several shots from a pistol, puncturing the Camel's fuel tank. Hubbard succeeded in restarting the engine and had just enough fuel to make his escape back across the lines where he crashed landed his aircraft. On the morning of 29 October 1918, Hubbard scored his own and 3 Squadron's final victory, downing a Fokker D.VII. He was promoted to acting Captain in October 1918 and was transferred to the unemployed list on 2 February 1919. Post-war, he was employed by General Motors in Melbourne, Australia and, during World War II, he served with the Royal Australian Air Force. He retired from General Motors in 1964 and was killed in an automobile accident in 1969.
Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)
Lieut. Will Hubbard.
A bold and determined fighter in the air and against troops on the ground. On the 26th of August he engaged three enemy two-seaters, shooting down one out of control. Owing to his pressure pump being shot away in the combat he reached our lines with great difficulty, landing only 150 yards west of our front line. Undisturbed by the fact that the machine was under direct observation and subjected to heavy fire he removed all the instruments and pegged the machine down before leaving. In all he has accounted for five enemy aeroplanes.
Supplement to the London Gazette, 2 November 1918 (30989/12967)
