Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation
Charles Ley b: 17 Feb 1891 r: 17 Feb 1944 d: 22 Apr 1956
MC - 16 Sep 1918, DFC - 2 Nov 1918, AFC - xx xxx xxxx, MiD - 15 Mar 1929.
(Army):- Pte: xx xxx xxxx, Sgt: xx xxx xxxx, 3AM: 3 Apr 1917, 2 Lt (P): 22 Jul 1917, 2 Lt: 3 Sep 1917.
(RAF):- Lt: 1 Apr 1918, (T) Capt: 22 Jul 1918, Fg Off: 1 Aug 1919, Flt Lt: 30 Jun 1922, Sqn Ldr: 1 Jul 1928, Wg Cdr: 1 Jul 1935, Gp Capt: 1 Nov 1938 [27 Sep 1938], Act A/Cdre: xx xxx 1940, A/Cdre: Retained.
xx xxx xxxx: Soldier (1003557), 27th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force.
3 Apr 1917: Miscellaneous (Aviator), RFC
23 Jul 1917: Flying Officer, RFC.
23 Jul 1917: Transferred to the General List.
xx xxx 1917: Pilot, No 34 Sqn.
22 Jul 1918: Flight Commander, No 34 Sqn.
6 Sep 1919: Pilot, No 12 Sqn.
28 Oct 1919: Granted a Permanent Commission in the rank of Flying Officer (effective from 1 Aug)
22 Oct 1920 - 3 Mar 1921: Placed on half pay list, scale B
4 Mar 1921: Staff, School of Army Co-operation.
15 Jun 1921: Pilot, No 4 Sqn.
20 Jan -.25 Feb 1924: Placed on half pay list, scale B
25 Feb 1924: Flight Commander, No 4 Sqn.
15 Dec 1925: Pilot, No 70 Sqn.
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14 Dec 1928: Flight Commander, No 502 (Ulster) Sqn AuxAF.
10 Sep 1929: Officer Commanding, No 502 (Ulster) Sqn AuxAF.
2 Nov 1929: Flight Commander, No 502 (Ulster) Sqn AuxAF.
4 Mar 1932: Personnel Staff, HQ Inland Area.
18 Feb 1935: Officer Commanding, No 3 APC, Sutton Bridge.
18 Oct 1935: Air Staff, HQ Iraq Command.
4 Apr 1938: Officer Commanding, RAF Catterick.
4 Sep 1939 Officer Commanding RAF Debden
27 May 1940: SASO, HQ Technical Training Command.
27 May - 10 Jun 1940: Attached to RAF Debden as Officer Commanding
22 Sep 1940: SASO, HQ No 9 Group
A Canadian, born in Wallace, Manitoba, he joined the Canadian Expeditionary Force before transferring to the RFC in 1917. In 1938, he was the first commanding officer of No 12 FTS.
Citation for the award of the Military Cross
“T/Lt. Charles Ley King, R.A.F.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when working with artillery in carrying out thirteen successful shoots, by which numerous enemy gun pits were destroyed and fires and explosions caused. He also carried out two very good long reconnaissances, taking excellent photographs and obtaining valuable information."
(London.Gazette - 16th September,1918.)
Citation for the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross
“Lt. (T./Capt.) Charles Ley King, M.C.
This officer has done excellent work both on reconnaissance duty and in co-operation with our artillery. In the latter service he shows remarkable skill and keen observation. In carrying out a shoot on the 31st of August 848 rounds were fired in five and a-half hours, and four pits were destroyed – a fine performance, reflecting great credit on this officer's capability.
(M.C. gazetted 16th September,1918.)”
(London Gazette – 2 November 1918)
This page was last updated on 30/10/21©
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Kerr