92nd Squadron, Royal Air Force
Clifford Hackman was born on 24 September 1897 at Winchcombe, the son of Edwin and Mary (née Greening, known as Polly).
Prior to joining the Royal Flying Corps (RFC), Hackman had been employed in the Great Western Railway (GWR) Stores Department at Swindon, from 15 October 1913 to 26 June 1917. After joining the RFC on 27 June 1917 he was declared ‘fit as a pilot’ on 17 August 1917.
From November 1917 he was with 24 Training Squadron and on 8 January 1918 joined 92 Squadron. Shortly after the RFC became the Royal Air Force (RAF) a census of experience was conducted and according to this Hackman had experience of flying the MFSH, DH6 and Avro. He was gazetted as a Second Lieutenant on 1 April 1918.
He died on Sunday, 7 April 1918, aged 20, in a flying accident (aero collision) near Chichester, West Sussex. 92 Squadron had been based at Tangmere aerodrome, near Chichester since 17 March 1918. 2Lt. Hackman had taken to the air in an Avro 504 (registration B986), accompanied by Lt. Norman Herbert England and collided with a Sopwith Pup (B5269) at about 300 feet over the airfield, causing both aircraft to crash and killing all three men. The Pup was piloted by Lt. Victor Raleigh Craigie.
Clifford’s funeral took place on Thursday, 11 April 1918. His body had been brought to Winchcombe by train and taken to St Peter’s Church. His father and younger brother were present but not, apparently, his mother. A relative remembers that Clifford’s mother was completely distraught at the news of her son’s death and remained ill for some time afterwards. Flight Lieutenant Arthur Peacey from Greet Manor, also in the RFC, also attended. The coffin, covered with a Union Flag, was of polished oak and six of the wounded soldiers from the VAD Hospital acted as bearers. The congregation, who were described as ‘visibly affected’ sang Abide with Me and heard Walter Haslam the organist play Grieg’s Funeral March and the Dead March from Saul. There were many flowers, including one shaped like a broken harp, from his parents and wreaths from his brother officers, the High School in Swindon, staff at the GWR stores in Swindon family members and neighbours. One of the wounded soldiers played the Last Post.
At the time of Clifford’s death, his parents were living at Richmond Cottage, 73A Hythe Road, Swindon. He was buried at Winchcombe and included on the local war memorial as he was born in the town and his family had been involved locally for many years.
Researched by Graham Adams 12 January 2012 (revised July 2024)
Acknowledgment to the website ‘rcawsey.co.uk/Acc1918a.htm’ for details of the air accident