P A Latham

Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation

Air Vice-Marshal P A Latham (57736)

Peter Anthony b: 18 Jun 1925 r: 2 Apr 1981 d: 4 Dec 2016

CB – 31 Dec 1979, AFC – 11 Jun 1960, QCVSA - 1 Jan 1954, QCVSA – 10 Jun 1961.

AC2: xx xxx 1944, Plt Off (P): 22 Feb 1946, Fg Off: 22 Feb 1947, Flt Lt: 29 Jun 1950, Sqn Ldr: 1 Jan 1957, Wg Cdr: 1 Jan 1962, Gp Capt: 1 Jul 1966, A/Cdre: 1 Jul 1973, Act AVM: 3 Sep 1977, AVM: 1 Jan 1978.

xx xxx xxxx: Attended St Catherine’s College,

xx xxx 1944: U/T Pilot, ?

22 Feb 1946: Appointed to Short Service Commission.

xx xxx 1946: Pilot, No 26 Sqn.

15 Jan 1948: Appointed to Permanent Commission in the rank of Flying Officer

xx xxx 1949: Pilot, No 263 Sqn.

xx xxx 1950?: Adjutant/QFI, No 614 Sqn.

xx xxx xxxx: Flight Commander, No 263 Sqn.

xx xxx xxxx: Instructor, Day Fighter Leaders School, Central Fighter Establishment.

1 Apr 1957: Staff Officer, Air Secretary's Department

13 Oct 1958: Officer Commanding, No 111 Sqn. (Hunters)

1 Feb 1962: Staff, Directorate of Joint Plans.

xx xxx xxxx: Officer Commanding, NEAF Strike and PR Wing.

xx xxx xxxx: Attended College of Air Warfare.

16 Jan 1967: Group Captain - Operations, HQ No 38 Group.

4 Apr 1969: Officer Commanding, RAF Tengah.

28 Oct 1971: Staff Officer, DORS (Air).

7 Apr 1973: AOC & Commandant, Officer and Aircrew Selection Centre.

7 May 1974: SASO (Offensive Support & Support Helicopters), HQ No 38 Group.

2 Apr 1976: Director of Defence Operations/ACDS (Operations).

3 Sep 1977: AOC, No 11 Group.

He was CO of 'Treble One' for final phase of the 'Black Arrows'. In 1959, the squadron was awarded the Britannia Challenge Trophy by the Royal Aero Club, the first RAF squadron to receive it. Following retirement, he was the Principal of Oxford Air Training School and a Director of CSE Aviation Ltd (1982 -85) before becoming Senior Air Adviser to Short Brothers Ltd (1985 - 90). He was also Commodore of the RAF Sailing Association from 1974 until 1980.

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