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Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation
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Walter Charles
b: 13 May 1907
r: 13 May 1961
d: 31 Oct 1969
CB
– 1 Jan 1955, OBE - 1 Jan 1946, DSO – 13 Sep 1940, DFC
- 13 Sep 1940, MiD - 1 Jan 1941, MiD - 11 Jun 1942, MiD - 2
Jun 1943, MiD - 8
Jun 1944.
A/C App: 6 Feb 1923, AC2: 13 May 1925, AC1: xx xxx xxxx, LAC: xx xxx xxxx, Cpl: xx xxx xxxx, Sgt: xx xxx xxxx, Plt Off (P): 19 May 1930, Plt Off: 19 May 1931, Fg Off: 19 Nov 1931, Flt Lt: 19 Nov 1935, Act Sqn Ldr: 19 Sep 1938, Sqn Ldr: 1 Oct 1938, Act Wg Cdr: 2 Dec 1939 - 11 Apr 1940, 19 May 1940, (T) Wg Cdr: 1 Dec 1940, Act Gp Capt: 9 Sep 1941, Wg Cdr (WS): 10 Mar 1942, (T) Gp Capt: 1 Jul 1943, Wg Cdr: 1 Oct 1946, Gp Capt: 1 Jul 1947, A/Cdre: 1 Jul 1952, Act AVM: 23 Mar 1955 AVM: 1 Jul 1955.
6 Feb 1923: Aircraft Apprentice, No 1 School of Technical Training, RAF Halton. (363771)
13 May 1925: Aircrafthand U/T Turner
xx xxx xxxx: U/T Pilot, ?. (NCO)
xx xxx xxxx: Pilot, No ? Sqn. (NCO)
19 May 1930: Appointed to a Permanent Commission
19 May 1930: Instructor's Course, Central Flying School.
5 Aug 1930: QFI, No 3 FTS.
27 May 1932: QFI, Central Flying School.
3 Dec 1934: Pilot, No 207 Sqn.
4 Jun 1936: Flying Examining Officer, Superintendent of RAF Reserve/CFS/HQ No 26 Group.
19 Sep 1938: Officer Commanding, No 106 Sqn. (Battle)
1 - 10 Oct 1938: Officer Commanding, RAF Grantham
20 Oct 1939: Flight Commander, No 106 Sqn (Anson/Hampden)
2 Dec 1939: Officer Commanding, No 49 Sqn (Hampdens – Scampton)
11 Apr 1940: Staff Officer (Air 2) HQ No 5 Group.
6 May 1940: Attended No 3 War Course, RAF Staff College
19 May 1940: Officer Commanding, No 61 Sqn
11 Oct 1940: Supernumerary, No 16 OTU
18 Oct 1940: Chief Instructor/Officer Commanding, Training Wing, No 16 OTU
9 Sep 1941: Officer Commanding, No 16 OTU/RAF Upper Heyford
18 Jan 1943: SASO, HQ No 92 Group.
28 Jan 1944: Officer Commanding, RAF Elsham Wold.
7 May 1944: Acting Base Commander, No 13 Base
21 Nov 1944: Officer Commanding, RAF Hemswell and RAF Sturgate
14 Apr 1945: Supernumerary, No 54 Base pending appointment as Base Commander.
23 Apr 1945: Officer Commanding, RAF Coningsby.
21-25 Jun 1945: Attached to HQ No 205 Group (to study a mobile bomber wing)
23 Jul 1945: Officer Commanding, No 551 Wing.
22 Aug 1945: Officer Commanding, No 553 Wing
xx xxx 1945: Deputy Director of (Bomber) Operations.
xx xxx xxxx:
xx Jun 1950: Officer Commanding, RAF Binbrook.
xx Dec 1951:
xx xxx 1953: Assistant Commandant, RAF Staff College
23 Mar 1955: Director-General of Manning.
13 Mar 1958: Commander, RAF Staff - British Joint Services Mission, Washington.
24 Jan 1960: Air Attaché, Washington.
He originally joined the RAF as an Aircraft Apprentice in the 7th Entry at Halton, later becoming a NCO Pilot before being commissioned in 1930.
In 1934 he was a member of the CFS's aerobatic team equipped with Avro Tutors. On 16 April 1959 he was an observer at the first live launch of Thor IRBM by an RAF crew at Vandenburg AFB.Recommendation for the award of the Distinguished Service Order
SHEEN, Walter Charles, W/C (05174, Royal Air Force) - No.61 Squadron - Recommended 31 July 1940 by Air Officer Commanding, No.5 Group.
"This officer was the leader of 22 aircraft which attacked the viaducts of the Dortmund-Ems Canal from a height of 50 feet with outstanding success. The success of this operation was largely due to this officer’s careful preparation and training of the crews beforehand, and his personal courage, leadership and determination during the attack.
He has led his squadron in many attacks on enemy objectives with conspicuous determination and resource. He has also successfully accomplished many mine-laying missions at extreme range in the Baltic.
As Officer Commanding an operational squadron he sets a splendid example of fine leadership, courage and devotion to duty."
This was edited for submission to Air Ministry Awards Committee as follows:
"Wing Commander Sheen led 22 aircraft in an attack on the viaducts of the Dortmund-Ems Canal from a height of 50 feet. The outstanding success of this operation was largely due to this officer’s careful preparation and training of the crews, and his personal courage, leadership and determination during the attack. He has led his squadron in many attacks on enemy objectives with conspicuous determination and resource, and has successfully accomplished many hazardous missions at extreme range in the Baltic."
(Source - Air 2/6102)
Citation for the award of the Distinguished Service Order
SHEEN, Walter Charles, W/C, DSO (05174, Royal Air Force) - No.92 Group Headquarters
"This officer was Senior Air Staff Officer at the Headquarters from January 1943 to January 1944 and during the whole of this period showed exceptional ability and enterprise. He has combined a marked capacity for staff duties with a particularly sound knowledge of flying and airmanship generally. His efforts have been successful in raising considerably the standard of flying training throughout the group."
(Source - Air 2/9003)
Citation for the award of a Mention in Despatches
"SHEEN, Walter Charles, W/C, DSO (05174, Royal Air Force) - No.92 Group Headquarters.
This officer was Senior Air Staff Officer at the Headquarters from January 1943 to January 1944 and during the whole of this period showed exceptional ability and enterprise. He has combined a marked capacity for staff duties with a particularly sound knowledge of flying and airmanship generally. His efforts have been successful in raising considerably the standard of flying training throughout the group.
(Source - Air 2/9003)
Many thanks to his son Col. Mike Sheen USAF (Ret'd) for the photo and additional information.
This page was last updated on 25/03/24
G S
Shaw
