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Air Commodore S Graham (07109)


Strang                          b: 2 Apr 1895                     r: 29 Mar 1946                     d: 21 Sep 1994

MC - 18 Oct 1917, GM - 6 Jul 1943, MiD - 18 Oct 1917.

(Army): - 2 Lt: xx xxx xxxx, (T) Lt: 24 Apr 1917, (T) Capt: 20 - 25 Aug 1917.

(RAF): - Lt: 1 Apr 1918, Fg Off: 24 Oct 1919, Flt Lt: 30 Jun 1923, Sqn Ldr: 1 Jun 1932, Wg Cdr: 1 Apr 1937, (T) Gp Capt: 1 Jun 1940, Act A/Cdre: 3 Aug 1943?, Gp Capt: 1 Dec 1943, A/Cdre: Retained.

xx xxx xxxx:         Officer, Black Watch?.

20 - 25 Aug 1917:        Company Commander, Black Watch?

xx xxx xxxx:            RFC

xx xxx xxxx:            Pilot, RAF Cattewater

12 Feb 1919:          Unemployed List

24 Oct 1919:          Awarded a Permanent Commission in the rank of Flying Officer. 

 1 Jan 1920:            Staff, No 2 (Northern) Aircraft Repair Depot.

30 Sep 1920:          Attended Course of Instruction, No 2 FTS

 8 Feb 1921:           QFI/Staff?, No 2 FTS.

23 Nov 1923:         Flight Commander, No 27 Sqn. (DH9A)

 7 Oct 1925:           Staff, No 2 (Indian) Wing.

 3 May 1926:          Flight Commander, No 27 Sqn.

7 Aug 1928:           Aircraft Engineering Course, Home Aircraft Depot.

 1 Jul 1930:             Engineering Officer/Instructor?, School of Technical Training (Men).

18 Jun 1932:           Engineering Officer, No 5 FTS.

10 Oct 1933:          Engineering Officer, Aircraft Depot, Iraq.

15 Apr 1936:          Flight Commander, No 7 Sqn. (Heyford) (Worthy Down, Finningley)

18 Dec 1936           President of Board of Officers on taking over RAF Dishforth

12 Apr 1937:          Officer Commanding, No 76 Sqn.

15 Apr 1937:          Officer Commanding, No 10 Sqn. (Heyford III) (Scampton, Stradishall?) (he arrived on 17 Apr 1937)

 4 Apr 1938:           Liaison duties with aircraft manufacturer.

xx xxx xxxx:             ?

19 Jan 1942:            Officer Commanding, RAF Leeming

28 Mar - 5 Apr 1942:          Detached on Temporary Duty

23 - 30 Apr 1942:          Detached on Temporary Duty at Lossiemouth

 7-15 Jun 1942:        Attended a Course of Instruction

 2 Jan 1943:             Supernumerary, RAF Leeming (pending posting to Cottesmore)

 8 Jan 1943:             Officer Commanding, RAF Cottesmore/No 14 OTU.

23 Feb - 2 Mar 1943:          Officer Commanding (Temp), No 92 (Operational Training) Group

 1 Aug 1943:             Officer Commanding, RAF Market Harborough/No 14 OTU.

 3 Aug 1943:           Director of Air Force Welfare.

On 14 February 1928 he was flying DH9A, E828 which dived into the ground from 100 ft at Miranshah during a go-round

Citation for the award of the Military Cross

"T./Lt. Strang Graham, R. Highrs.

For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during a night attack. When the advance was held up by a strong point, lie halted his men under cover, and himself led a party round to outflank it. Although wounded in the knee, he remained to consolidate the ground won."

(London Gazette – 7 March 1918)

Citation for the award of the George Medal

“Group Captain Strang Graham, M.C., Royal Air Force.

In March, 1943, a Wellington aircraft overshot when landing and crashed into another aircraft.  The impact carried both aircraft against a hangar, where they burst into flames.  Group Captain Graham was on the scene immediately.  Disregarding the danger from exploding ammunition, petrol tanks and oxygen bottles, and although he was aware that i of the aircraft carried a 250lb. bomb, he led the rescue party in extricating 3 members of the crew from the blazing aircraft. Group Captain Graham then led the fire fighting party in an endeavour to save the burning hangar.  He was attacking the fire, which had spread to the offices of the hangar, when the bomb on the aircraft, less than 8 feet away, exploded.  With his face badly cut by splintered glass and flying debris, and bleeding profusely, he was persuaded to go to the station sick quarters, where he made light of his injuries and inspired others who had been injured by the explosion.  After receiving first aid treatment, he returned to the scene of the accident and directed operations until the fire had 'been subdued.”

(London Gazette – 6 July 1943)

This page was last updated on 14/07/20

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