Text links are shown below
- Home Page -
- About this site -
- Quick Menu -
- Main Menu -
- Members' Area -
- What's New -
- Help Needed -
- Online Store -
- Reunions -
- Contact Me -
- Sign Guest Book -
- View Guest Book -
- Glossary -
- Bibliography -
Air Marshal Sir Leslie Bower (26130)
Leslie William Clement
b: 11 Jul 1909 r: 30 Mar 1965 d: 17 Feb 1991
KCB
– 2 Jun 1962 (CB – 1 Jan 1954), DSO – 22 Jun 1945, DFC
– 22 Feb 1944, MiD - 11 Jun 1942, MiD
-
14 Jun 1945.
Plt
Off: 14 Dec
1929, Fg Off: 14 Jun 1931, Flt
Lt: 14 Jun 1935, Sqn Ldr: 1 Jul
1938, (T)Wg Cdr: 1 Dec 1940, Act
Gp Capt:
17 May 1942?, Wg Cdr (WS): 17 Nov
1942, (T) Gp Capt: 1 Jul 1943,
Wg Cdr: 1 Oct 1946, Gp Capt: 1
Jul 1947, Act A/Cdre: xx xxx xxxx,
A/Cdre: 1 Jul 1952, Act AVM: xx
xxx xxxx, AVM: 1 Jan 1955, Act
AM
(unpd): 8 Feb 1962, Act AM
(pd): 1 May 1962, AM: 1 May 1962 (announced 1 Jul 1962).
xx xxx 1928: Flight Cadet, 'B' Sqn, RAF College.
14 Dec 1929: Appointed to Permanent Commission.
14
Dec 1929:
Pilot, No 100 Sqn.
9
Nov 1930:
Pilot, No 33 Sqn.
3
Jan – 12 Feb 1931: Placed
on half pay list, scale B
14
Feb 1931:
Pilotage (navigation) officer, No 11 Sqn.
23
Apr 1933:
Supernumerary, RAF Depot.
xx
xxx 1933:
Attended Central Flying School.
xx
xxx 1933:
QFI, Cambridge University Air Sqn.
18 May 1934: Re-categorised as an Instructor from B to A2
26
Nov 1934:
Instructor, CFS.
xx Jul 1936: Re-categorised from Instructor A2 to Instructor A1
30
Mar 1937:
Pilot, No 202 Sqn.
13
Oct 1938:
Senior Personnel Staff Officer, HQ RAF Mediterranean.
xx
Mar 1941:
Officer Commanding, No 217 Sqn.
28 Jan 1942: Air Staff, HQ No 16 Group.
17
May 1942?:
Director - Operational Training, HQ RCAF.
xx
Dec 1943:
Officer Commanding, No 138 Wing
xx
xxx 1946:
Attended RAF Staff College.
xx
xxx 1947:
Attended/Instructor?, USAF War College.
1
Jan 1952:
AOC, No 81 Group.
8
Mar 1954:
SASO, HQ Fighter Command.
25
Feb 1957: SASO, HQ MEAF
xx
xxx 1958:
Deputy C in C, MEAF.
1
May 1959:
AOC, No 19 Group.
8 Feb 1962: UK Permanent Military Deputy (Designate), CENTO
10
May 1962:
UK Permanent Military Deputy, CENTO.
Born in County Cork in the Ireland, he attended The
Harvey Grammar School in Folkestone before entering the RAF College in 1928,
which he represented at both Soccer and Hockey..
Citation for the award of the Distinguished
Flying Cross.
“Group Captain Leslie William Clement BOWER (26130), Royal Air Force.
This officer has completed numerous sorties and has invariably displayed
leadership and skill of a high order. His
determination to complete his tasks successfully has always been evident and was
well illustrated during a recent sortie. Before
reaching the target his aircraft was hit by anti-aircraft fire but he went on to
complete his attack. On the return
flight the aircraft was again hit by fire from the ground defences.
Much damage was sustained, including one engine which was put out of
action. Group Captain Bower displayed great skill in his endeavour to reach home
but, just before the English coast was reached the damaged engine burst into
flames. Group Captain Bower crossed-the coast, however, but was compelled to
make a landing in difficult circumstances.
As the aircraft touched down it became enveloped in flames and a petrol
tank burst. Group Captain Bower was
rendered unconscious but was dragged clear by a comrade.
This officer displayed great courage and resolution throughout.”
(London Gazette – 22 February 1944)
Citation for the award of the Distinguished Service
Order
“Group Captain Leslie William Clement BOWER, D.F.C., R.A.F.
This officer has set a magnificent example of courage and devotion to
duty in operations against the enemy. He
has commanded the squadrons at his station for a considerable time and much of
the success achieved during the period can be attributed to Group Captain
Bower's high powers of leadership, unsurpassed skill and iron determination.
His services have been of immense value”
(London Gazette – 22 June 1945)
This page was last updated on 15/12/11 using FrontPage XP©
D
Bower 