Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation

About this site

This website is the culmination of years of interest and research by the author in the history of the Royal Air Force and its forebears the Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Naval Air Service.  Whilst most of the information here has been gleaned from previously published sources it has never appeared all together in one place before.  Much of the biographical detail has been compiled from the Army Lists, the Air Force Lists and the Confidential Air Force Lists and whilst every effort has been made to check and cross-reference the information I accept that some unintentional errors may have crept in.    

This site would not have been possible but for the assistance of the Head Librarian and the staff of the College Hall Library, RAF Cranwell.  I am also indebted to the National Archives in Kew, for providing the Confidential Air Force Lists.  I would also like to thank all the individuals, who have provided additional information, and particularly Wg Cdr Jeff Jefford.  Special credit must go to Steve Clements, who has provided the excellent artwork of unit badges throughout the site.

Prior to establishing this website I put my life long interest in the RAF to use as an instructor in the Air Training Corps and Officer in the RAF Volunteer Reserve (Training Branch) for 27 years.  I am also a member of Cross and Cockade International (WW1 Aviation historical society), Air-Britain (Historians) and the RAF Historical Society.

At the present time, the biographical details covers those officers promoted to the rank of Air Commodore or higher in the General Duties Branch who are now deceased, except where specific permission to include the details have been given by the officer in question.  Additional details are now being added for Air Officers of other branches and this will continue.  If you can help by supplying missing data or possibly photographs for inclusion, I would be most appreciative.  These can be submitted through my Guest Book or by e-mail using the link, on the left.  If you have any comments regarding this site or any further queries I may be able to help you with, please e-mail me.

© Crown Copyright is reproduced with the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Office

Photographs marked '© IWM' are used with the permission of the Imperial War Museum and may not be copied without the permission of the IWM.