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Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation
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Francis Henry
b: 17 Aug 1895
r:
29 Oct 1945
d: xx Jun 1975
DSO - 23 Mar 1928
(Army):- (T) 2 Lt: 26 Aug 1915, (T) Capt: 1 Jan 1917.
(RAF):- Capt: 1 Apr 1918, Flt Lt: 1 Aug 1919 [1 Apr 1918], Sqn Ldr: 1 Jul 1925, Wg Cdr: 1 Jan 1933, Gp Capt: 1 Jan 1938, Act A/Cdre: xx xxx xxxx, (T) A/Cdre: xx xxx xxxx, A/Cdre: Retained.
26 Aug 1915: Officer, Duke of Cambridge's Own (Middlesex Regiment)
xx xxx 1915: Flying Officer, RFC.
28 May 1916: Pilot, 'C' Flt, No 32 Sqn
20 Dec 1916: Returned to Home Establishment
1 Jan 1917: Flight Commander, No ? Sqn RFC.
3 Jan - 23 Feb 1918: In transit from Southampton to Baghdad
19-27 Nov 1918: Admitted to Officers' Hospital, Baghdad (Malaria)
6 Jan 1919: Officer Commanding, No 72 Sqn.
7 Feb 1919: Posted to Aircraft Park, Iraq
24 Feb 1919: Officer Commanding, No 72 Sqn (cadre)
22 Mar 1919: Relinguished command of No 72 Sqn
2 Apr 1919: Embarked for UK on HT 'Franz Ferdinand'
22 Sep 1919: ?
24 Oct 1919: Awarded Short Service Commission in the rank of Flight Lieutenant (Aeroplane).
31 Jan 1920: QFI, No 4 Training Squadron (Hooton Park) - renamed No 5 FTS, 26 Apr 1920.
26 Apr 1920: QFI, No 5 FTS. (Sealand)
xx May 1920: Supernumerary, HQ Inland Area (Closing Accounts)
21 Jun 1920: QFI, No 2 FTS (Royston)
17 Dec 1920:
8 Dec 1922: Instructor, Electrical and Wireless School.
18 Sep 1924: Officer, No 6 Armoured Car Company
3 Jun 1925: Officer Commanding, No 30 Sqn.
27 Jan 1928:
Flight Commander, No 7 Sqn.
14 Feb 1929: Officer Commanding, No 24 Sqn.
3 Jan 1930: Supernumerary, No 101 Sqn (Sidestrands - Andover)
14 Jan 1930: Officer Commanding, No 101 Sqn (Sidestrands - Andover)
xx Jan - 17 Feb 1933: Officer Commanding, RAF Andover
21 Dec 1933: Senior Personnel Officer, HQ Coastal Area.
3 Oct 1935: Officer Commanding, RAF Ismailia (Cancelled).
3 Oct 1935: Staff Officer, HQ Middle East Command.
9 May 1938: Officer Commanding, RAF Mildenhall
Educated at Elizabeth College, Guernsey, he gained RAeC Certificate No 2710 on 14 January 1916. He married Mary McLaurin Monteath at St Janes' Church, Tunbridge Wells on 7 January 1920. He was awarded the DSO for services rendered during operations in the Penjwin area of Iraq during the period April to May 1927.
Announcement and Citation for the award of the Distinguished Service Order
COLEMAN, Francis Henry, S/L
"in recognition of gallant and distinguished service rendered in the operations in the Penjwin area of Iraq during the period April-May 1927."
(Announcement - London Gazette, 23 March 1928)
"This officer who is the Commanding Officer of No.30 (Bombing) Squadron, maintained a high state of efficiency in his squadron throughout the period of the operations. He flew continually over hostile country, and by his keenness, enthusiasm and skilful leadership set a fine example to the officers under his command.
It was largely due to his efforts that the squadron achieved a great success in cooperating with the ground forces during the rearguard action over the Ab-i-Doulah River and enabling the last picquets to be withdrawn without casualties."
(Citation - Air 30/72)
This page was last updated on 22/11/22
J B Cole-Hamilton 
