Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation
Air Commodore E L Howard-Williams
Ernest Leslie b: 15 Nov 1895 r: 23 Nov 1942 d: 28 Oct 1969
MC - 17 Sep 1917, BA (Class III) - Oct 1925,
(Army):- (T) 2 Lt: 9 Sep 1914, (T) Lt: 26 Sep 1916 (without pay and allowances prior to 8 Jul 1917), (T) Capt: xx xxx xxxx.
(RAF):- (T) Capt [Lt]: 1 Apr 1918, (T) Maj: 12 Jul 1918, Flt Lt: 1 Aug 1919 [1 Apr 1918], Sqn Ldr: 1 Jul 1925, Wg Cdr: 1 Jan 1933, Gp Capt: 1 Jan 1938, (T) A/Cdre: 1 Mar 1941, A/Cdre: Retained.
9 Sep 1914: Officer, 11th (2nd Hull) Battalion, The East Yorkshire Regiment.
xx xxx xxxx: Attached to RFC as an Observer (U/T)
4 Mar 1916: Flying Officer (Observer), RFC
31 Aug 1916: Flying Officer, RFC.
xx Aug 1917: Pilot, No 9 Sqn RFC
xx Dec 1917:
12 Jul 1918: Squadron Commander?
1 Aug 1919: Resigned his commission in the East Yorkshire Regiment on appointment to a Permanent Commission in the RAF.
1 Aug 1919: Granted a Permanent Commission in the rank of Flight Lieutenant.
1 Apr 1920: Attended Oxford University.
xx xxx xxxx: Flight Commander?, No 23 Sqn.
25 Sep 1922: Supernumerary, School of Photography, RAF Farnborough.
1 Oct 1923: Attended Long Engineering Course, Cambridge University.
6 Oct 1925: Attended London University.
29 Nov 1926: Attached to Superintendent of Design, Royal Arsenal, Woolwich.
21 Jan 1929: Attended RAF Staff College.
8 Feb 1930: Officer Commanding, No 47 Sqn, wef 21 Jan 1930
30 Jan 1933: Supernumerary, RAF Depot.
12 Apr 1933: Engineering Officer/Instructor, Home Aircraft Depot.
?
5 May 1934: Inspector of Iraqi Air Force.
11 Oct 1937: Attended Senior Officer's War Course, Greenwich.
19 Feb 1938: Senior Technical Staff Officer, HQ Fighter Command.
xx xxx xxxx: Group Captain - ? (Air Staff), HQ Fighter Command
Was originally known as E L Williams?, when did he adopt the name Howard-Williams? He was educated at Buxton.
In 1930 he led a flight of Fairey 3D's of 47 Squadron from Khartoum to West Africa and back. The flight lasted from 19 October to 25 November 1930. He was the proprietor of the 'Independent' Magazine in Kenya and a member of the Kenyan Legislative Council. In 1962 he was representing the Ministry of Tourism, Forest and Wildlife in Kenya.
Citation for the award of the Military Cross
"T./Capt. Ernest Leslie Williams, Gen. List, and R.F.C.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in co-operating with our artillery, often under extremely unfavourable weather conditions. On one occasion in particular, although very much hampered by mist and clouds, he ranged three of our batteries on to a hostile battery position and enabled them to demolish it. His splendid example has 'been of the greatest value to his squadron."
(London Gazette – 17 September 1917)
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