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Air Commodore R J P Prichard (36109)


Richard Julian Paget      b: 4 Oct 1915              r: 26 Feb 1966                        d: xx Apr 2001

CB - 1 Jan 1963, CBE – 9 Dec 1958 (OBE - 1 Jan 1945), DFC – 8 Jan 1943, AFC – 30 Sep 1941, LoM (Off) - 9 Oct 1945.

For a list of foreign decoration abbreviations, click here

Plt Off: 25 Oct 1937 [25 Jul 1936], Fg Off: 25 Apr 1938 [25 Jan 1938], Flt Lt (WS): 25 Jan 1940, Act Sqn Ldr: xx Nov 1940?, (T) Sqn Ldr: 1 Mar 1941, Act Wg Cdr: 1 Mar 1942?, Sqn Ldr: 20 Nov 1942 [1 Mar 1941], (T) Wg Cdr: 1 Jun 1942, Sqn Ldr (WS): 1 Sep 1942, Wg Cdr: 1 Jul 1947, Gp Capt: 1 Jan 1954, A/Cdre: 1 Jul 1959.

25 Oct 1937:        Appointed to a Permanent Commission.

25 Oct 1937:        U/T Pilot, No 5 FTS.

 4 Jun 1938:          Staff Pilot, No 1 Air Armament School

 4 Sep 1939:         Flight Commander. No 3 SFTS

xx xxx xxxx:          Group Commander. No 3 SFTS

 1 Mar 1941:        Officer Commanding No 1 Sqn, No 3 SFTS

xx xxx 1942:         Attended Blenheim Operational Training Course, No 17 OTU

10 May 1942:       Officer Commanding, No 21 Sqn. (Ventura – Bodney/Methwold)

xx xxx xxxx:          

 1 Sep 1947:        Air Staff, Air Ministry

25 Jul 1949:          Staff Officer, Deputy Directorate of Air Foreign Liaison

xx Feb 1950:        Staff Officer, Directorate of Operations

xx xxx 1953:          Directing Staff, RAF Staff College, Andover

24 Apr 1956:        Officer Commanding, RAF Tengah.

 1 Dec 1958:       

29 Dec 1959:       Director of Air Staff Plans and Programmes.

1960                    Act Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Operations)

 1 Apr 1963:        AOC, No 13 (Scottish) Sector, Fighter Command.

Awarded DFC for leading 21 Sqn on the Eindhoven raid of 6 December 1942.  Awarded CBE for distinguished service in Malaya.

Citation for the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross

“On the 6th December, 1942, a force of bombers was detailed to make an attack in daylight on the Philips Factory at Eindhoven.  The operation, which was executed faultlessly, demanded a high degree of skill and accurate timing.  Bombs were released at varying heights, down to roof top level.  Many hits were obtained, some in the center of the target area.  Two gun posts were silenced.  Intense and heavy opposition was encountered and both of the outward and return flights attacks were made by enemy fighters.  The great success achieved reflects the greatest credit on the following personnel who participated in various capacities as leaders and members of aircraft crews:—

Wing Commander Richard Julian Paget PRICHARD,. A.F.C. (36109), No.21 .Squadron.

(London Gazette – 8 January 1943)

Recommendation for the award of the Air Force Cross

PRICHARD, Richard Julian Paget, S/L (36109, Royal Air Force) - No.3 SFTS (South Cerney) -  Air Force Cross - awarded as per London Gazette dated 30 September 1941.  Public Record Office Air 2/9544 (courtesy of Steve Brew) has recommendation.

"Squadron Leader Prichard has served at this unit since September 1939, in the capacity of Flight Commander, Group Commander, and from 1st March 1941, Officer Commanding, No.1 Flying Squadron.

 During this time he has completed 726 hours of instructional flying, including 71 hours at night, the latter being carried out under extreme black-out conditions in all weathers.

 He has at all times displayed outstanding devotion to duty, which has been reflected in the quality of his pupils and in the fact that, during the month of May, in spite of extremely trying conditions, two of his courses were completed in advance of the posting date."

 (Source - Air 2/9544)

To the above, Air Vice-Marshal K R Park (Air Officer Commanding, No.23 (Training) Group added (6 June 1941):

"Has shown extreme devotion to duty and has obtained excellent results in night flying instruction.  Strongly recommended for the award of the Air Force Cross."

This was digested for Air Ministry Awards Committee to read as below:

"This officer [has] served at No.3 Service Flying Training School since September 1939 in the capacity of flight commander, group commander and, since 1 March 1941, as commanding officer, No.1 Flying Squadron.  During this time he has completed 726 hours of instructional flying, including 71 hours at night in extreme dark in all weathers.  He has shown great devotion to duty and has obtained excellent results in night flying instruction."

This page was last updated on 25/03/24

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