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Air Chief Marshal Sir Brian Burnett (36010)


Sir Brian Kenyon BurnettBrian Kenyon               b: 10 Mar 1913                       r: 11 Mar 1972                        d: 16 Sep 2011

GCB - 13 Jun 1970 (KCB – 1 Jan 1965, CB – 10 Jun 1961), DFC – 30 Jan 1942, AFC – 28 Apr 1939, ADC, BA - 1934.

(RAFO): Plt Off (P): 27 Jun 1932, Fg Off: 27 Dec 1933.

(RAF) Plt Off: 29 Sep 1934 [19 Sep 1933), Fg Off: 29 Mar 1935, Flt Lt: 29 Mar 1937, Sqn Ldr: 1 Apr 1939, (T) Wg Cdr: 1 Jun 1941, Act Gp Capt: 1 Aug 1942, Wg Cdr (WS): 1 Feb 1943, Wg Cdr: 1 Oct 1946, Gp Capt: 1 Jul 1950, Act A/Cdre: 9 Jan 1956?, A/Cdre: 1 Jul 1956, AVM: 1 Jan 1959, Act AM: 9 Nov 1964, AM: 1 Jan 1965, ACM: 7 Oct 1967.

Sir Brian Kenyon Burnett

by Godfrey Argent
bromide print, 12 March 1970
NPG x4911

© National Portrait Gallery, London

 

27 Jun 1932:                Appointed to a Commission in the RAFO, Class AA2

27 Jun 1932:                Member, Oxford University Air Squadron

29 Sep 1934:               Relinquished his commission in the RAFO

29 Sep 1934:               Appointed to Permanent Commission in the rank of Flying Officer.

xx xxx 1934:                 Attended No ? Flying Training School

 2 Mar 1935:                Pilot, No 18 Sqn.

 3 May 1936:                ?, No 11 Flying Training School.

xx xxx xxxx:                  Attended Specialist Navigation Course

18 Dec 1937:               Navigation Officer, Long Range Development Unit

 6 Jun 1938:                 Navigation Instructor, School of Air Navigation

24 Aug 1939:               Reported to his War Unit

13 Sep 1939:               Group Navigation Officer, HQ No 1 Group (Advanced Air Striking Force).

xx xxx 1940:                 Navigation Officer, HQ No 4 Group

10 Apr 1941:               Flight Commander, No 102 Sqn.

 9 May 1941:               Officer Commanding, No 51 Sqn.

15 Nov 1941:               En-route to Canada

xx Jan 1942:                 Officer Commanding, No 31 Air Navigation School (Canada).

 6 Feb 1944:                SASO, HQ No 25 (Armament) Group.

xx xxx 1944:                 Attended RAF Staff College.

xx xxx 1945:                 Directing Staff, RAF Staff College.

22 Dec 1946:               Air Staff - UK Delegation to the UN

20 Jun 1949:                Deputy Director, Directorate of Plans

 8 Aug 1951:                SASO, HQ No 3 Group.

 1 Jan 1953 – 18 Jun 1957:      ADC to The Queen.

xx May 1954:               Officer Commanding, RAF Gaydon.

 9 Jan 1956:                 Director of Bomber & Reconnaissance Operations.

xx xxx xxxx:               Act Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Operations).

 xx Jan 1958:                Attended Imperial Defence College.

10 Jan 1959:                AOA,  HQ Bomber Command.

 9 Oct 1961:                 AOC, No 3 Group.

 9 Nov 1964:                Vice Chief of the Air Staff.

 7 Dec 1967:                Air Secretary.

21 Jun 1969 – 11 Mar 1972:    Air ADC to The Queen

29 May 1970:              C in C, Far East Command.

Born in Hyderabad in India he was later educated at Charterhouse, before going to Heidelburg University and then Wadham College Oxford.  It was whilst there, he joined the RAFO in 1932 and learnt to fly in the Oxford University Air Squadron and having gained his BA in 1934, he joined the RAF.  Having completed his service flying training he was appointed to No 18 Squadron.

In November 1938, he was the pilot of one of three aircraft which made the record breaking long distance flight of 7,158 miles flying from Helwan, Egypt to Darwen, Australia.

As C-in-C Far East he oversaw the withdrawal of British forces from the Far East.

Always a keen tennis player, he was appointed Chairman of The All England Lawn Tennis Club at Wimbledon in 1974 remaining in post until 1984.  He was also honoured by his old college in 1974 when he was made a Honorary Fellow.

Citation for the award of the Air Force Cross.

BURNETT, Brian Kenyon, S/L (36010) - Air Force Cross - awarded as per London Gazette dated 28 April 1939;

"for services rendered as aircrew in connection with the RAF Development Unit which established the World's Long Distance Record in November 1937; three Vickers Wellesley aircraft flew from Ismailia to Port Darwin."

Citation for the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross.

BURNETT, Brian Kenyon, W/C, AFC (36010, Royal Air Force) - No.51 Squadron - Distinguished Flying Cross - awarded as per London Gazette dated 30 January 1942.

 "Wing Commander Burnett has commanded No.51 Squadron with outstanding success for the past six months and has taken an active share in operations against the enemy.  His example and courageous leadership have been an inspiration to all.  He has participated in four raids on Kiel."

(Source - Air 2/9578 )

This page was last updated on 12/01/24

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