Hector Daniel

Who was Hector Daniel?

Brigadier Hector Cyril Daniel CBE MC AFC was a South African military commander. He served in the Royal Air Force in World War I, becoming an ace with nine aerial victories, and joined the South African Air Force in 1923.

He was Director of Air and Technical Services, i.e. head of the SAAF, from 1937 until the outbreak of World War II in 1939, when he was appointed Officer Commanding SAAF Headquarters. During the war, he was Inspector of the SAAF in 1940, senior SAAF officer in East Africa from 1940 to 1941, and Air Officer Commanding 24 Group from 1941.

Brigadier Daniel retired in 1953. He died by his own hand.