Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation
Air Vice-Marshal Sir Matthew Frew
Matthew Brown
b: 7 Apr 1895
r: 19 Dec 1948
d: 28 May 1974
KBE
- 1 Jan 1948, CB - 1 Jan
1943, DSO - 4 Mar 1918,
Bar -
6 Oct 1933, MC -18
Oct 1917, Bar - 17 Dec 1917, AFC
- 3 Jun 1919,
MiD
- 18 Apr 1918,
MiD - 30 May 1918,
SMMV - 12 Sep 1918, GI(s)C
- 24 Sep 1943, MC1 (B)
- 12 Jun 1945.
(Army): -
(T) 2 Lt
(P):
26 Sep 1916,
(T) Capt: 24 Oct 1917, (T)
Lt: 26 Mar 1918,
(RAF): - (T) Capt [Lt]: 1
Apr 1918,
Flt Lt: 24 Oct
1919 [1 Apr 1918], Sqn Ldr: 1 Jul 1927, Wg Cdr: 1 Jul
1934, Gp Capt: 1 Jul 1938,
(T) A/Cdre: 1 Dec 1940, Act AVM:
16 Sep 1942,
(T) AVM: 1 Jun 1943,
A/Cdre (WS):
16 Sep 1943,
A/Cdre: 1 Dec 1943, AVM:
1 Jan 1946.
xx xxx 1914: Private, Highland
Light Infantry.
xx xxx xxxx: Cadet (3007), RFC.
26 Sep 1916: U/T
Pilot, RFC.
9 Oct 1916: U/T Pilot, No 2 School of Instruction
19 Jan 1917: U/T Pilot, No 24 Reserve Sqn, RAF
xx xxx 1917: U/T Pilot, No 28 Deserve Sqn, RFC
6 Apr 1917: Appointed Flying Officer, RFC.
15 Apr 1917: Attached to No 1 AD
28
Apr 1917: Pilot, No 45 Sqn
RFC.
24 Oct 1917: Flight Commander, No 45 Sqn RFC.
Capt M B Frew - No 45 Squadron |
![]() Capt M B Frew (left) and Capt Frith |
Photos courtesy - Bob Lynes |
15 Jan 1918: Wounded in action (hit by AA fire)
xx xxx 1918: Instructor, CFS.
5 May 1919: Transferred to Unemployed List
24 Oct 1919: Awarded Short Service Commission in the rank of Flight Lieutenant (Aeroplane)
19
Feb 1920:
Air Staff, HQ No 7 Group.
8 Jun 1920:
Staff/Instructor, Ground Wing, RAF (Cadet) College.
4 Aug 1920: Attended Instructors' Course, Central Flying School
25
Oct 1920: Instructor, Flying
Wing, RAF (Cadet) College
8 Dec 1921: Flight
Commander, No 6 Sqn.
14
Oct 1923: QFI, No 4 FTS.
16
Dec 1925: Staff, Armament and
Gunnery School.
24
Jul 1927:
CFI?, No 1 FTS.
12 Aug 1929: Recategorised as a flying instructor from 'A2' to 'A1'
10
Mar 1931: Air Staff -
Operations, HQ Iraq Command.
11
May 1933: Supernumerary,
No 111 Sqn.
22
May 1933: Officer Commanding,
No 111 Sqn.
1 Aug 1934:
Supernumerary, No 10 Sqn.
14 Aug 1934: Officer Commanding, No 10 Sqn.
22 Apr - 29 May 1936: Officer Commanding, RAF Boscombe Down (Temporary)
19 Sep - 2 Nov 1936: Officer Commanding, RAF Boscombe Down (Temporary)
2 Nov 1936: Officer Commanding, No 10 Sqn and No 78 Sqn
1 Mar 1937: Officer Commanding, No 78 Sqn.
19 Mar 1937: Supernumerary, RAF Hornchurch.
2 Apr 1937: Officer Commanding, RAF Hornchurch.
8 Jun - 6 Jul 1937 Sick Leave
25 Jul 1938: SASO, HQ No 23 (Training) Group.
7 Sep 1939: Officer Commanding, RAF North Weald
31 Dec 1939: ?, HQ No 23 Group
1 Sep 1940: AOC, UK Air Liaison Mission
16 Sep 1942: AOC, Directorate of Air Training, SAAF
He was educated at Hutcheson's Grammar School.
Hit by AA fire on 15 January 1918, he suffered neck pains and was invalided back
to Britain the following month.
Citation for the award of the Military
Cross "T./2nd Lt. Matthew Brown Frew, Gen.
List and R.F.C. For conspicuous gallantly and devotion to
duty on patrol, showing a fine offensive spirit
in many combats. He has shot down five enemy
aeroplanes, on one occasion leading his formation to
attack twenty-two Albatross Scouts, and himself
shooting one down" (London Gazette - 7 March 1918) Citation for the award of the Bar to the
Military Cross "T./2nd Lt. Matthew Brown Frew, M.C.,
Gen. List and R.F.C. For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to
duty in shooting down three enemy machines in
two days. He has destroyed eight enemy machines and
driven down many others out of control." (London Gazette - 23 April 1918) Citation for the award of the
Distinguished Service Order T./Capt. Matthew Brown Frew, M.C., Gen.
List and R.F.C. For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to
duty. On one occasion when leader of a
patrol he shot down an enemy aeroplane, two
others being also accounted for in the same fight. On
a later occasion he destroyed three enemy machines in
one combat, all of which were seen to crash to the
ground. Immediately after this combat he had to switch
off his engine and make an attempt to glide
towards our lines five miles away on account of
his machine having received a direct hit. Owing
to the great skill and courage he displayed in the
handling of his damaged machine, he succeeded in
bringing it safely to our lines. He has destroyed
twenty-two enemy machines up
to date. (London Gazette - )
This page was last updated on 09/02/25
N H Fresson