Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation

Air Commodore T C R Higgins

Thomas Charles Reginald       b: 21 Jul 1880                 r: 1 Nov 1929                    d: 22 Sep 1953

CB - 1 Jan 1926, CMG - 1 Jan 1919, DL (Bedfordshire) - 1 Oct 1931.

(RN): - Mid’n: 15 Jul 1897.

(Army): - 2 Lt:  14 Mar 1900, Lt: 25 Jul 1900, Capt: 10 Jul 1907, Maj: 1 Sep 1915, (T) Lt Col: 25 Jun 1916, (T) Col: 6 Mar 1917, (T) Brig-Gen: 1 Sep 1917, (B) Lt Col: 1 Jan 1918.

(RAF): - (T) Brig-Gen: 1 Apr 1918, Wg Cdr: 1 Aug 1919, Gp Capt: 5 Aug 1919, A/Cdre: 30 Jun 1922,

(RAFVR): - Gp Capt: 2 Sep 1939,

15 Jan 1895:          Attended HMS Britannia.

15 Jan 1897:          Midshipman, HMS Camperdown. (Mediterranean Fleet)

31 Oct 1899:          Midshipman, HMS Majestic (Channel)

20 Jan 1900:          Allowed to withdraw from Royal Navy

14 Mar 1900:         Officer, King’s Own (Royal Lancashire Regiment).

 2 Apr 1904:           Officer, West African Frontier Force.

22 Apr 1909:          Restored to establishment of King’s Own (Royal Lancashire Regiment)

 1 Sep 1911:            Officer, West African Frontier Force

24 Jan 1913:          ?

14 Sep 1915:           Appointed Flying Officer, RFC.

21 Sep 1915:           Embarked for France

22 Sep 1915:           Pilot, No 9 Sqn RFC

19 Oct 1915:           Flight Commander, No 9 Sqn RFC.

24 Jan 1916:            Returned to Home Establishment

29 Jan 1916:            Officer Commanding, No 19 (Reserve) Sqn RFC. (Re-numbered No 39 Sqn)

 1 Mar 1916:            Appointed Squadron Commander

19 Apr 1916:           Officer Commanding, No 39 Sqn RFC. (BE2 – Hainault Farm)

25 Jun 1916:            Appointed Wing Commander

14 Sep 1916:           Officer Commanding, 22nd Wing RFC.

xx Feb 1917:           Officer Commanding, Home Defence Wing RFC.

 6 Mar 1917:           Officer Commanding, Home Defence Group RFC.

 1 Sep 1917:            Brigadier-General Commanding,  Home Defence Brigade RFC.

12 Oct 1917:           Brigadier-General Commanding,  VI (Home Defence) Brigade RFC/RAF.

 1 Jul 1919:              Officer Commanding, No 7 Group.

 1 Aug 1919:           Resigned his commission in the Royal Lancashire Regiment on appointment to a Permanent Commission in the RAF.

 1 Aug 1919:            Awarded Permanent Commission as a Lieutenant Colonel

 1 Sep 1922:            Director of Training and Staff Duties.

xx Aug/Sep 1923:    Director of Training.

24 Apr 1926:           Chief Staff Officer, HQ Iraq Command.

 8 Jan 1928:            AOC, 'Akforce'

 6 Apr 1928:            AOC, No 10 Group.

 2 Sep 1939:            Relinquished rank of A/Cdre on being re-employed.

xx xxx xxxx:             Deputy Inspector-General of Ground Defence

xx xxx xxxx:             Officer Commanding, RAF Regiment Depot.

2-7 Dec 1942:           AOC, No 72 Group (Temporary)

7-14 Jun 1943:           AOC, No 72 Group (Temporary)

17 Jul 1945:             Reverted to Retired List

During the South African War of 1899-1902, he served in the Transvaal, Natal and on the Zululand Frontier.  He  learnt to fly in 1911 gaining RAeC Certificate, No 88 on 16 May of that year.   Retired at his own request.

Submission for the award of Companion of the Order of the Bath

"HIGGINS, Thomas Charles Reginald, A/C, CMG

In recognition of distinguished service as Director of Training, Air Ministry."

(Source - Office Air 30/66 dated 2 June 1926)

This page was last updated on 19/08/23

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