Air Marshal Sir Bertine Sutton

Bertine Entwisle b: 17 Dec 1886 r: 7 Jun 1945 d: 28 Sep 1946

KBE - 11 Jun 1942 (OBE -1 Jan 1919), CB - 8 Jun 1939, DSO - 26 Sep 1917, MC - 1 Jan 1917, MiD - 11 Dec 1917, MiD - 20 May 1918, MiD - 31 Dec 1918, MiD - 3 Jul 1934, CdeG (B) - 15 Jul 1919, BA (University College, Oxford) - 1908.

For a list of foreign decoration abbreviations, click here

(Army): - 2 Lt: 19 Oct 1914, Lt: 1 Jun 1916, (T) Capt: 6 May 1916, (T) Maj: 18 Oct 1917.

(RAF): - (T) Major [Capt]: 1 Apr 1918, Sqn Ldr: 1 Aug 1919 [1 Apr 1918], Wg Cdr:1 Jan 1924, Gp Capt: 1 Jan 1931, A/Cdre: 1 Jul 1934, AVM: 1 Jul 1937, (T) AM: 4 May 1942, AM: 1 Jan 1944.

xx xxx 1914: Soldier, Inns of Court OTC.

19 Oct 1914: Officer, Westmorland and Cumberland Yeomanry.

2 Feb 1916: Flying Officer (Observer), No 5 Sqn.

6 May 1916: Adjutant, No ? Wing, RFC.

xx xxx 1916: U/T Pilot, ?

27 Sep 1916: Flying Officer, RFC (seniority from 2 Feb 1916)

5 May 1917: Pilot, No 9 Sqn. (RE8 – Western Front)

6 May 1917: Flight Commander, No 9 Sqn. (RE8 – Western Front)

18 Oct 1917: Officer Commanding, No 7 Sqn. (RE8 – Western Front)

31 Jul 1919: Staff Officer 2nd Class, Directorate of Training and Organisation.

1 Aug 1919: Awarded Permanent Commission as a Major

1 Aug 1919: Relinquishes Commission in Westmorland and Cumberland Territorial Force (retaining rank of Captain)

21 Jan 1921: Attended Army Staff College, Camberley.

xx xxx 1921: Holding post?, Air Pilotage School (cadre) - pending formation of RAF Staff College

1 Apr 1922: Directing Staff, RAF Staff College.

xx xxx 1926: Attended Refresher Flying Course, CFS.

15 Jul 1926: Officer Commanding, No 1 (Apprentices) Wing, No 1 SoTT (Apprentices).

11 Nov 1929: Directing Staff, Imperial Defence College.

2 Sep 1932: Officer Commanding, No 1 (Indian) Group.

4 Oct 1934: SASO, HQ RAF India.

xx xxx 1936: AOC, No 2 (Bomber) Group.

1 Jul 1936: AOC, No 22 Group.

17 Jul 1939: AOC, No 21 (Training) Group.

23 Nov 1940: AOC, No 24 (Training) Group.

xx Jun 1940: Attached to staff of C in C, Home Forces.

xx xxx 1941: Commandant, RAF Staff College.

17 Aug 1942: Air Member for Personnel.

Born in Kensington, he was educated at Eton and University College, Oxford and originally planned to become a lawyer but at the end of WW1 he decided to remain in the RAF. Whilst he was at Andover a series of parachuting trials were being carried out and one day whilst he was watching one of the parachutes failed to open. Then CO of the station immediately ordered trials to cease, but Sutton was able to convince him to allow one aircraft to fly and he himself strapped on a parachute and made a successful descent. Retiring shortly after the end of WW2, and suffering from the strain of his war service, he unfortunately, was not to enjoy a long retirement, dying at his home in Newbury just over a year later after a long illness.

Citation for the award of the Distinguished Order

"2nd Lt. (T./Capt.) Bertine Entwisle Sutton, M.C., Yeo. and R.F.C.

For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. On very many occasions he carried out extensive and valuable reconnaissances and contact patrols at low altitudes, attacking infantry and transport with his machine gun and taking photographs which proved of the greatest value in subsequent operations. By his energy, skill, and courage he set a magnificent example to his squadron."

(London Gazette - 9 January 1918)

W P Sutcliffe [Top of Page] D H Sutton