2 DFC's each, both have the same name: William Hubbard

31 December 1998, 11:23 PM

To obtain the DFC and bar in the first world war you had to come from a unique group of 73, with 3 of those getting the bar twice. I find it amazing that two people of the same name could have both achieved this feat. I am wondering if anyone had any extra information on these two pilots, eg other awards, what happened after the war ect.

Barrett · 1 January 1999, 06:12 AM

William Henry Hubbard was a Camel pilot in 73 Sqn, previously flying BE-2s in No. 5. His wartime total of 12 victories (6 destroyed) included one in BEs and the others between April and Oct '18.

ATT says "He flew many ground attack missions, inflicting a great deal of damage."
Capt. Will (not William) Hubbard was another Camel merchant in No. 3, 10 vics (5.33 destroyed) and got the DFC (no bar). Could be original awards to each or a bureaucratic frabup duplicate award (i.e., not the bar) to WHH. Same thing happened to a friend of mine who received a 2nd Navy Cross for the same action in 1944. He gave away the second one to a mutual friend, saying, "Here, you might as well have this; I have another one!"