Gilbert Hayton

Gilbert McLean Hayton DFC (12 May 1917 – 20 October 1942) was a New Zealand fighter pilot and flying ace who flew in the Royal Air Force (RAF) during the Second World War. He was officially credited with the destruction of at least five enemy aircraft.

Born in Hāwera, Hayton joined the RAF in early 1939. After completing flight training, and initial service with units operating the Fairey Battle light bomber, he was posted to No. 266 Squadron, a fighter unit equipped with Supermarine Spitfires in August 1940. He subsequently flew Spitfires with No. 66 Squadron. At the end of the year he was posted to No. 255 Squadron and flew the Boulton Paul Defiant fighter on night fighting duties during The Blitz. Sent to the Middle East in February 1942, he flew Bristol Beaufighter night fighters with No. 1435 Flight, achieving a number of aerial victories operating from Malta during the siege of that island. Hayton died at sea after the ship on which he was travelling was torpedoed while en route to the United Kingdom. His award of the Distinguished Flying Cross was announced after his death.