Air Chief Marshal Sir Christopher Courtney

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(RN): - Mid’n:  xx xxx xxxx, Act Sub-Lt: 30 Nov 1909?, Sub-Lt: 30 Nov 1909/24 Sep 1910?, Lt: 28 Feb 1911, Flt Cdr: 15 Apr 1913, Sqn Cdr: 1 Jul 1914, Wg Cdr: 31 Dec 1916.

(RAF): - (T) Lt Col [Maj]: 1 Apr 1918, Lt Col: xx xxx 1918, Act Col: xx xxx 1918, Act Brig-Gen: 1 Nov 1918 - 30 Apr 1919, Wg Cdr: 1 Aug 1919, Gp Capt: 1 Jan 1925, A/Cdre: 1 Jan 1931, AVM: 1 Jan 1935, Act AM (unpd): 1 Oct 1938, AM: 1 Jan 1939, (T) ACM: 1 Jan 1942, ACM: 1 Jun 1943.

Photo - ACM Sir Christopher Courtney being greeted at RCAF Rockcliffe by AM L S Breadner, Chief of the Air Staff, RCAF. Courtesy, Louise Favreau

xx May 1905:            Attended Britannia Naval College.

30 Nov 1909:            Acting Sub-Lieutenant, HMS Commonwealth, 

24 Sep 1910:            Confirmed in the rank of Sub-Lieutenant

19 Aug 1912:            U/T Pilot, Naval Flying School, Eastchurch.

15 Apr 1913:             Flight Commander, Yarmouth NAS  

 1 Jul 1914:                Squadron Commander, Yarmouth NAS

xx Sep 1914:             Officer Commanding, Killingholme NAS

25 Mar 1915:            Officer Commanding, No 4 Sqn RNAS (Eastchurch)

xx Aug 1915:             Officer Commanding, RNAS Dover

xx xxx 1916:              Officer Commanding, No 4 Wing RNAS (Petite Synthe from 11 Apr 1916)

xx Dec 1916:             Officer Commanding, No 7 Sqn RNAS.

xx Apr 1917:              ?

xx Nov 1917:

 1 Apr 1918:              Deputy Director of Aircraft Equipment

 1 Nov 1918:             GOC, 11th Brigade.

xx xxx 1918:              GOC, Independent Force.?  

xx xxx xxxx:               Officer Commanding, No 2 School of Technical Training

 1 Mar 1919:             Director of ?, Air Ministry

 1 May 1919:             Deputy Director (Equipment)

 1 Aug 1919:              Awarded Permanent Commission as a Lieutenant Colonel.

 1 Aug 1919:              Appointed Deputy Director, 2nd Class

22 Jan 1920:              Removed from the Navy Lists on being awarded Permanent Commission in RAF

6 Apr 1920:               Awaiting disposal, HQ India Group. (pending formation of No 2 (Indian) Wing)

10 Jul 1920:               Officer Commanding, No 2 (Indian) Wing.

 1 Mar 1924:              Attended Army Staff College, Quetta.

 4 Jan 1925:                Supernumerary, RAF Depot.

22 Apr 1925:              Directing Staff, RAF Staff College.

15 Jan 1929:               Deputy Director of Operations and Intelligence.

18 Dec 1930:              Chief Staff Officer, HQ Iraq Command.

xx xxx 1932 - 22 Nov 1932:                AOC, Iraq Command (Temporary)

 6 Dec 1932:               Supernumerary, RAF Depot.

30 Jan 1933:               Director of Training.

 3 Apr 1934:               Director of Staff Duties

26 Jan 1935:               Director of Operations & Intelligence/Deputy Chief of the Air Staff.

xx Feb 1937:               AOC, Iraq Command

26 Oct 1938:               Special duty in India

xx xxx 1939:                AOC, No 16 (Reserve) Group.?

14 Mar 1939:              AOC in C, Reserve Command  

xx Sep 1939:                ?, Empire Air Training Scheme, Canada

15 Jan 1940:                Air Member for Supply and Organisation

He first applied to undergo pilot training in 1910 but it was not until 1912 that achieved his wish, gaining RAeC Certificate No 328 on 15 October, transferring to the Naval Wing, RFC.  On 31 May 1913, he delivered the first landplane to Yarmouth.  He commanded 'D' Flight of four aircraft during the Royal Flypast at Spithead on 18 July 1914.

Tipped for the posts of Chief of the Air Staff and AOC in C, Fighter Command, he missed out on both appointments.  The first when MRAF Sir Edward Ellington was replaced by Sir Cyril Newall instead and the second just prior to taking over from Dowding at Fighter Command.  Whilst being flown to Sydenham for the official opening of the new Belfast airport together with Sholto Douglas amongst others, his aircraft flew into a mountainside in Cumberland.  Although not seriously injured it prevented him from taking over the reins of Fighter Command  leaving Dowding to lead the command during the critical period of the Battle of Britain.  Appointed Air Member for Supply and Organisation instead he remained in post for the rest of WW2.  He retired on account of being medically unfit for air force service. 

Turning is hand to business he also found time to devote his energies in support of a number of charitable organisations, such as the Victory Club and the Star and Garter Home.

Citation for the award of the DSO: -

"Wing Cdr. Christopher Lloyd Courtney, R.N.A.S.

In recognition of his services in command of a Wing of the Royal Naval Air Service at Dunkirk.  Squadrons attached to his Wing have invariably shown a high standard of efficiency, and the success of the fighting squadrons generally is largely due to his knowledge and initiative."

(London Gazette - 30 Nov 1917)

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