by Elliott & Fry
bromide print, 1948
NPG x90386
bromide print, 1948
NPG x90386
© National Portrait Gallery, London
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Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation
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Air Marshal Sir Harold Lydford (07216)
Harold Thomas
b: 7 May 1898
r: 16 Apr 1956
d: 20 Sep 1979
KBE - 1 Jan 1954 (CBE - 1 Jan 1945), CB - 1 Jan 1948, AFC - 3 Jun 1919, LoM (Cdr) - 15 Jul 1947.
(Army):- (P) 2 Lt: 22 Nov 1916, Lt: 1 Sep 1917.
(RAF):- Lt: 1 Apr 1918, Act Capt: 15 Aug 1918, Fg Off: 1 Aug 1919 [1 Apr 1918] Flt Lt: 1 Jan 1924, Sqn Ldr: 1 Dec 1932, Wg Cdr: 1 Jul 1937, (T) Gp Capt: 1 Jun 1940, Gp Capt (WS): 1 Jan 1942, Act A/Cdre: 1 Jan 1941?, (T) A/Cdre: 1 Jun 1942, Gp Capt: 20 Nov 1942 [1 Apr 1942], Act AVM: 12 Mar 1945, AVM: 1 Jul 1947, Act AM: 1 Oct 1952, AM: 1 Jan 1953.
Photo (left) - taken from his RAeC Certificate
Photo (right) -
© National Portrait Gallery, London
xx xxx 1916: U/T Pilot,
22 Nov 1916: Appointed Flying Officer, RFC Special Reserve.
xx xxx 1917: Pilot, No 43 Sqn
6 Feb 1917: Embarked for France (by air)
13 Feb 1917: Admitted to Hospital
14 May 1917: Returned to England - Hospital Ship 'Newhaven'
12 Nov 1918: Embarked for France
13 Nov 1918: Disembarked in France
18 Nov 1918: Pilot, No 28 Sqn
10 Feb 1919: Returned to Home Establishment
xx xxx 1919: Staff, Tadcaster Mobile Disposal Sqn.
24 Oct 1919: Awarded Short Service Commission in the rank of Flying Officer (Aeroplane).
17 May 1920: QFI, No 1 FTS.
17 Dec 1920:
20 May 1921: QFI, No 4 FTS.
26 Sep 1922: Pilot, No 208 Sqn. (Constantinople)
1 Apr 1924: QFI, No 4 FTS.
30 Oct 1925: QFI, No 2 FTS.
14 May 1928: Air Staff, HQ Fighting Area.
8 Jan 1929: PA to AOC in C, ADGB.
18 Jan 1932: Attended RAF Staff College.
17 Jan 1933: Air Staff, HQ British Forces in Iraq.
7 Apr 1935: CFI, No 6 FTS.
20 Mar 1936: Chief Flying Instructor, RAF College.
11 Nov 1937: Staff, Department of the Inspector-General of the RAF.
6 Sep 1938: Supernumerary, HQ No 6 (Auxiliary) Group.
19 Oct 1938: Staff Officer, Deputy Directorate of Peace Organisation.
xx xxx 1939: Staff, Deputy Directorate of Organisation. (changed Dec 39-Apr 40)
xx xxx 1940: Deputy Director of Organisation (2)
xx xxx 1941: Director of Organisation. (moved on before Jul 42)
xx xxx 1942 Member, RAF Delegation - Washington DC.
xx Sep 1944: AOC, No 28 Group.
12 Mar 1945: AOC, British Forces - Aden
30 Jun 1948: Commandant-General of the RAF Regiment.
1 Nov 1950: AOC, No 18 Group/Air Officer Scotland
1 Oct 1952: AOC in C, Home Command.He gained RAeC Certificate 7294 on 22 November 1916.
Recommendation for the award of Companion of the Order of the Bath (Text from recommendation for 1947 New Year Honours List, but awarded the following year)
"LYDFORD, Harold Thomas, Air Vice-Marshal, CBE, AFC (Royal Air Force) – Air Headquarters, Aden.
This officer holds the appointment of Air Officer Commanding British Troops in Aden. At the time Air Vice-Marshal Lydford took over the Command, discipline was difficult to maintain but by his personal influence a great improvement was made. He has also been responsible for the planning and execution of two difficult operations both of which were successful. Air Vice-Marshal Lydford has contended with a difficult command in a thoroughly efficient manner during a period when conditions were abnormal and he has at all times upheld the best traditions of the Service."
This page was last updated on 31/01/23
J G Lumsden 