Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation

Air Vice Marshal W J Seward (08101)

Walter John                  b: 17 Oct 1898                  r: 31 May 1954                    d: 9 Sep 1972

CB - 8 Jun 1950, CBE - 1 Jan 1944, MiD - 17 Mar 1941.

(Army):- (T) 2 Lt: 10 Apr 1917.

(RAF):- Lt: 1 Apr 1918, Fg Off: 1 Aug 1919 [1 Apr 1918], Flt Lt: 1 Jan 1924, Sqn Ldr: 1 Oct 1934, Wg Cdr: 1 Jan 1938, Act Gp Capt: xx Jun 1940, (T) Gp Capt: 1 Sep 1940, Act A/Cdre: 1 May 1943, Gp Capt (WS): 1 Nov 1943, Gp Capt: 1 Dec 1943, (T) A/Cdre: 1 Oct 1944, A/Cdre: 1 Jul 1947, Act AVM: 1 Feb 1949, AVM: 1 Jan 1950.

xx xxx xxxx:            Cadet, RFC

10 Apr 1917:           Flying Officer, RFC

15 Jun 1919:            Pilot, No 5 Sqn.

12 Dec 1919:          Awarded Short Service Commission in the rank of Flying Officer (Aeroplane).

26 Mar 1921:          Supernumerary (Non-Effective - Sick), RAF Depot

 1 Jun 1921:             Staff - PT & Games, No 1 School of Technical Training (Boys)/(Apprentices). RAF Halton.

 4 Oct 1927:            Attended London University.

15 Nov 1928:           Meteorological Officer, HQ Iraq Command.

 2 Nov 1930:            Supernumerary, RAF Depot.

17 Mar 1931:           Pilot, No 7 Sqn.

10 Dec 1932:           Officer Commanding, 'A' Flight, No 101 Sqn. (arrived 13 Jan 1933)

 8 - 21 Dec 1933:      Officer Commanding (Temporary), No 101 Sqn

18 Dec 1934:           Personnel Staff, HQ Coastal Area.

 4 Jan 1936:             Personnel Staff, HQ Coastal Command.

 1 Apr - 14 May 1937:            Attached to HQ No 16 (Reconnaissance) Group.

24 May 1937:          Officer Commanding, No 2 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit.

25 Feb 1938:           Staff/Officer Commanding, RAF Lee on Solent.

10 Oct 1939:            Senior Administration Staff Officer, HQ No 12 (Fighter) Group.

xx Jun 1940:            Officer Commanding, No 7 Operational Training Unit/RAF Hawarden

 1 Nov 1940:           Officer Commanding, No 57 Operational Training Unit/RAF Hawarden

24 Nov 1940:          Supernumerary, RAF Hendon

 2 Dec 1940:           Officer Commanding, RAF Hendon

20 May 1941:          Deputy Director of Personal Services.

xx Apr 1942:           Officer Commanding, No 36 OTU.

 5 May 1943:           AOC, No 12 (Operational Training) Group, Canada.

xx Dec 1944:           AOC, No 54 Group.

 1 Mar 1946:           SASO, HQ No 219 Group.

 1 Jul 1946:              Assistant AOA, HQ Mediterranean & Middle East

18 Oct 1947:           AOC, No 27 Group.

 1 Feb 1949:            AOA, HQ British Air Forces of Occupation.

12 Feb 1951:           AOC, No 61 (Eastern) Group.

 9 Aug 1954:           Director of Auxiliaries, Reserves and Air Cadets. (Ret'd)

xx xxx xxxx - 11 Mar 1957:    Honorary Air Commordore, No 661 Air Observation Post Sqn, RAuxAF

Between 7 August and 16 September 1931 he led a composite flight at RAF Catfoss to conduct bombing trials with HMS Centurion.  Similar trials were undertaken with the vessel between 29 August and 10 September 1932.  He was a representative of the RAF at the funeral of King George VI.  Honorary Air Commodore to No 661 (AOP) Squadron RAuxAF, 1955 to ?.  

Recommendation for the award of Commander of the Order of the British Empire

"SEWARD, A/C Walter John (RAF 08101) - Commander, Order of the British Empire - No 12 Group Headquarters [RCAF]- Awarded as per London Gazette dated 1 January 1944 and AFRO 113/44 dated 21 January 1944.

This officer commanded No36 Operational Training Unit from its inception in April 1942 until May 1943, when he was appointed Air Officer Commanding of this Group. By his personal example, which is excellent, devotion to duty and leadership, Air Commodore Seward was responsible for the development of No 36 Operational Training Unit into one of the finest in Canada with a magnificent spirit and esprit-de-corps among all ranks.  As Air Officer Commanding No12 Group this officer is now extending his influence of leadership and devotion to duty to all Operational Training Units and Schools in the Group and he is in no small measure responsible for the excellent training which exists in these schools."