| Thomas Vicars Hunter | |
| Birth Date: | 1897 4, df=yes |
| Birth Place: | London, England |
| Death Place: | Italy |
| Placeofburial: | Carmignano di Brenta Communal Cemetery, Padua |
| Placeofburial Coordinates: | 45.6333°N 11.7°W |
| Nickname: | Sticky |
| Allegiance: | United Kingdom |
| Branch: | British Army |
| Serviceyears: | 1914–1917 |
| Rank: | Captain |
| Unit: | Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort's Own) No. 66 Squadron RFC |
| Battles: | World War I Western Front Italian Front |
| Relations: | Henry Hunter (brother) |
Captain Thomas Vicars Hunter (2 April 1897 – 5 December 1917) was a British First World War flying ace credited with five aerial victories.[1] While serving in the Rifle Brigade he had a leg amputated following a motorcycle accident; he was the first known military pilot to qualify and fly in combat despite his disability.
Hunter was born in London, the younger of the two sons[2] of Henry Charles Vicars Hunter,, and the Honourable Florence Edith Louise (née Dormer), daughter of John Baptist Joseph Dormer, 12th Baron Dormer of Wyng.[3] His father was the principal landowner in Kilburn, Derbyshire,[4] but lived at Abermarlais Park, Llangadog, Carmarthenshire.[5] [6] [2] Hunter was educated at Ladycross School and Eton College.[2]
Hunter left Eton on the outbreak of the war in August 1914, to attend the Royal Military College, Sandhurst[2] as a cadet, and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort's Own) on 23 December 1914. In January 1915, Hunter broke his leg in a motorcycling accident,[7] developed sepsis in hospital, and eventually had to have his leg amputated above the knee in July.[2] [7] He was fitted with a prosthesis, from which he derived his nickname "Sticky" – he was known to remove it during rowdy parties to keep it whole.[8] Hunter was placed on half-pay on account of his injuries on 9 February 1916. He was later assigned to duty at the War Office, but was eventually passed fit for home service,[2] rejoining his regiment on 30 September, with the rank of lieutenant, with seniority from 2 March.
Hunter transferred to the Royal Flying Corps in February 1917,[7] receiving Royal Aero Club Aviator's Certificate No. 4516 on 18 April,[1] and being appointed a flying officer on 9 May. He was posted to No. 66 Squadron RFC for front-line service in France[2] from 2 June.[7] Flying a Sopwith Pup, Hunter gained his first victory on 12 July, driving down out of control an Albatros D.III north-east of Ypres. On 27 and 28 July he accounted for two more D.IIIs, over Ardooie and east of Roeselare.[1] He was promoted to captain in the Rifle Brigade on 31 July. On 3 September he gained his fourth victory, driving down an Albatros D.V out of control north-east of Menen.[1] He was appointed a flight commander with the temporary rank of captain on 30 September, and gained his fifth and final victory on 8 November, driving down another D.V., his squadron by then having been re-equipped with the Sopwith Camel.[1]
No. 66 Squadron was then reassigned to the Italian Front, travelling via the French Riviera, Nice, and Monte Carlo, before arriving at Milan. On 5 December 1917 Hunter took "C" flight out on its first combat patrol. While flying along the front line at around 10000feet Hunter made a left turn, and according to his wingman, Richard W. Ryan:[9]
"...I immediately throttled my engine fully back in order to hold my position in the turn. However, the turn had been too sharp and I lost sight of him as he turned under me. In a Camel you cannot see objects directly below you. My aircraft was in an almost stalled position and I expected to see him coming out of the turn to the left of my aircraft. In that moment our two aircraft collided".[10]
Locked together, the aircraft descended in a slow spin, until finally separating at 5000feet. Ryan was able to make an emergency landing, suffering from some minor injuries and shock, but Hunter crashed and was killed.[9] He is buried in the communal cemetery in Carmignano di Brenta, Padua, Italy.[6] [11]