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Air Vice Marshal C McC Vincent (08164)


Air Commodore C Mc C VincentC McC Vincent - 1931Claude McClean              

b: 21 Jan 1896               r: 29 Aug 1952                     d: 8 Aug 1967

CB - 13 Jun 1946, CBE - 5 Jun 1952, DFC - 12 Jul 1920, Bar - 21 Nov 1922, AFC - 1 Jan 1936, MiD - 1 Jan 1943, MiD - 8 Jun 1944.

(Army):- 2AM: 4 Nov 1915,

(RAF):- 2 Lt:  11 Aug 1918, Plt Off: 1 Aug 1919, Fg Off: 19 Dec 1919, Flt Lt: 1 Jan 1928, Sqn Ldr: 1 Feb 1936, Wg Cdr: 1 Jan 1939, (T) Gp Capt: 1 Jun 1941, Act A/Cdre: 6 Jul 1943, Gp Capt (WS): 6 Jul 1944, (T) A/Cdre: 1 Jan 1946, Gp Capt: 1 Jan 1946, A/Cdre: 1 Jul 1947, Act AVM: 15 Jul 1949, AVM: Retained.

Photograph (Left) © Crown Copyright

 4 Nov 1915:          Enlisted as Air Mechanic (15466), RFC

18 Nov 1915:          Air Mechanic, Recruit Depot, South Farnborough

20 Nov 1915:          Discharged, application not finally approved

xx xxx xxxx :            Flight Cadet, RFC/RAF.

11 Aug 1918:           Flying Officer

23 Feb 1919:           Pilot, No 31 Sqn.

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

 7 Jun 1922:             Supernumerary, RAF Depot

15 Sep 1922:           Staff, No 1 School of Technical Training (Boys)/(Apprentices).

 2 Dec 1924:            Granted Permanent Commission in the rank of Flying Officer.

 5 Jan 1925:             Pilot, Experimental Section, RAE.

 9Sep 1926:             Supernumerary, Non-effective (Sick), RAF Depot

14 Feb 1927:           Supernumerary (Special Duty at RAE), School of Photography.

29-31 Mar 1928     Placed on half-pay Scale B

xx xxx 1929:            Attached to RAE on Special Duty.

 1 Jul 1931:              Pilot, Experimental Section, RAE.

 1 Apr 1934:            Staff, School of Naval Co-operation.

 1 Dec 1934:            Staff, RAF South Farnborough.

 1 Aug 1935:            Pilot, Experimental Section, RAE.

xx xxx 1936:            Officer Commanding, Pilotless Aircraft Development Unit.

18 Nov 1938:           Officer Commanding, No 1 (General Engineering) Wing, Home Aircraft Depot.

16 Jan 1939:            Staff, RAF Locking.

xx xxx 1940:            Officer Commanding, RAF Khormaksar.

xx Oct 1942:            Officer Commanding, No 70 OTU/RAF Nakuru

30 Jun 1943:            Officer Commanding, No 70 OTU/RAF Shandur

 6 Jul 1943:              Commandant, Empire Central Flying School.

15 Mar 1947:           Director of Flying Training.

15 Jul 1949:             AOA, HQ Fighter Command.

Born and educated in Trinidad, he joined the Army in 1915 and served in Salonika until 1917 when he transferred to the RFC, staying in the Middle East.  Following his retirement from the RAF he returned to the West Indies.

Citation for the award of a Bar to the Distinguished Flying Cross

"VINCENT, Claude McLean, F/L.

On the 7th April 1922, when this officer led the first raid on Wana Fort, the machines ran into a severe hailstorm before reaching their objective.  The hail stripped the leading edge of the wing fabric and the fabric from the propeller of his machine, but in spite of this and of the bad weather which forced him to fly very low over hostile country, he reached Wana Fort.

Again, on the morning of the 8th April, when accompanied by four other machines, Flying Officer [sic] Vincent experienced severe engine trouble from the start.  Three of the other machines were forced to return through engine failure.  The remaining machine continued and, rather than allow it to go unsupported, this officer accompanied it.  Flying low over hostile country, he assisted the machine to carry out its task.  His own engine was running so badly that on his return flight he was forced to fly low over the nullahs as he was unable to climb over the hills.

This officer, by his unfailing keenness and devotion to duty, has set a high example to all ranks."

(Source - Air 30/49)


Recommendation for the award of a CBE, but awarded a Mention in Despatches

"VINCENT, Claude McClean, G/C (Royal Air Force) - No 70 Operational Training Unit.

As Commanding Officer of the unit from October 1942 to December 1943 [sic] this officer has, by his personal example and industry, brought the unit to a high state of efficiency.  He has a keen sense of discipline, and has infused a high state of esprit de corps in all ranks.  The efficiency with which the flying side of the unit was moved from Narkuru in East Africa to Shandur reflected most creditably on his organising ability, and the delay in the movement of ground personnel and equipment due to other operational requirements taking priority did not prevent the Unit getting to work at once."

(Source - Air 2/9003)

This page was last updated on 08/09/23

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