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Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation
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Andre Adolphus
b: 8 Apr 1889
r: 21 Sep 1941
d:
26 Feb 1966
MC
- 14 Nov 1916, DFC - 8 Feb 1919,
MiD - 28 Jan 1916,
MiD - 7 Nov 1917, CdeG(F)
- 18 Apr 1918.
1st Prize, 'R M Groves' Essay Competition – 1922, 2nd Prize, 'Gordon-Shephard'
Essay Competition – 1922, 3rd Prize, 'R M Groves' Essay Competition - 1923
(Army):
- 2 Lt:
17 Oct 1912, Lt:
13 Mar 1913, Capt (TF): 27 Oct 1913,
Capt (York Reg): 27 Dec 1916,
(T)
Maj: 7 Jan 1917,
Maj (Lon Reg): 9 Nov 1917 .
(RAF):
- (T) Major [Capt]
: 1 Apr 1918, Sqn Ldr: 1 Aug 1919, [1
Apr 1918], Wg Cdr:
1 Jul 1924, Gp Capt: 1 Jul
1931, A/Cdre: 1 Jul 1935,
Act AVM (unpd):
1 Aug 1939 - 17 Dec 1939,
Act AVM: 3 Sep 1939, Gp
Capt: 14 Jul 1942, Act A/Cdre (unpd): 14 Jul 1942.
xx xxx xxxx: Cadet (Lance Corporal) University of London Contingent, Senior Division, OTC
17 Oct 1912:
Officer,
10th
(County
of London) Battalion, The
London Regiment.
22 Aug 1914: Seconded
2 Oct 1914: Restored to the Establishment of 10th (County of London) Battalion, The London Regiment.
24 May 1915: Seconded to RFC as an Observer, Dardanelles.
21 Oct 1915: Appointed Flying Officer (Observer), RFC.
xx xxx 1916: U/T Pilot.
26 Apr 1916: Appointed Flying Officer, RFC.
18 May 1916: Embarked for France
19 May 1916: Pilot, No 4 Sqn RFC
25
Aug 1916:
Flight Commander, 'B' Flight, No
4 Sqn RFC. (BE2c, BE2e – Western Front)
15-30 Dec 1916: Temporary, 1st/2nd Battalion, Alexandra, Princess of Wales's Own (Yorkshire Regiment)
7 Jan 1917: Appointed Squadron Commander
8
Jan 1917:
Officer
Commanding, No 52 Sqn RFC. (BE2e, RE8 – Western Front)
10-25 Sep 1917:
19 Sep 1917: Attended Senior Officers' (Siege) Course, Observer Artillery School
30 Nov 1917: Returned to Home Establishment
3 Sep 1918: Re-embarked for France
4
Sep 1918:
Officer
Commanding, No 21 Sqn. (RE8 – Western Front)
6-11 Nov 1918:
13-16
Nov 1918:
20 Dec 1918: Admitted to No 14 General Hospital
25 Dec 1918 - 15 Jan 1919: Sick leave in England
15 Jan 1919: Admitted to hospital whilst on leave in England
1 Aug 1919: Awarded Permanent Commission as a Major
May/Jun1920:
Staff,
Directorate of Training and Organisation.
1
May 1923:
Attended RAF Staff
College.
2 May 1924: Attached/Officer Commanding?, No 28 Sqn.
1
Oct 1924:
Officer
Commanding, No 1 (Indian) Wing.
5
Nov 1928:
Supernumerary,
RAF Depot.
7
Jan 1929:
Attended
RN Staff College.
21
Nov 1929:
Air Staff, HQ RAF
Halton.
22
Dec 1930:
Supernumerary, HQ
Coastal Area.
1
Dec 1931:
Deputy Director
of Staff Duties.
1
Oct 1932:
Directing
Staff, RAF Staff College.
4
Jan 1936:
SASO, HQ
RAF Middle East.
13 Dec 1937: AOA, HQ RAF Middle East.
17 Dec 1939: In transit to UK?
23 Jan 1940:
AOC, No
32 (Balloon Barrage) Group.
14 Jul 1942 Relinquished rank of Air Commodore and re-employed as Group Captain (Acting A/Cdre (unpaid))
6 Nov 1945: Reverted to Retired List
xx xxx 1955 - 11 Mar 1957:
Honorary Air Commordore, No 662 Air Observation Post Sqn, RAuxAF
Christened Adolph Andre, he changed his name to Andre Adolphus by deed poll on 10 February 1956. When his regiment was sent to the Dardanelles in May 1915, he seems to have arrived before them and been trained to act as an observer for the RNAS, having already gained RAeC Certificate No 892 on 2 September 1914. His first operation was on 4 August 1915, when he sketched the defences at Suvla Bay prior to the landings there on 6/7 August.
Having been appointed a Flying Officer (Observer), he left Turkey in late 1915 and probably returned to the UK, where he trained as a military pilot, being re-classified as a Flying Officer in April 1916. In August he was appointed a flight commander with No 4 Squadron and soon acquired a reputation as being a dependable and highly efficient corps pilot, and was often requested in preference to other pilots. Much of his work was in support of the 13th and 33rd Siege Batteries.
Appointed OC of No 52 Squadron in early 1917, he soon developed new methods of co-operation between aircraft and balloons.
Citation for the award of the Military Cross
"Capt. Adolph Andre Walser, Lond. R., and R.F.C.
For conspicuous gallantry in action. He carried out a most valuable artillery reconnaissance under very heavy fire, displaying great courage and determination. He has, on many previous occasions done fine work."
Citation for the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross
"Major Andre Adolph Walser, M.C. (FRANCE)
A brilliant and exceptionally able squadron commander who, by his unsparing; efforts and his fine personal example, has raised the morale of his squadron to a very high level. The comprehensive and detailed information obtained by Major Walser in the large number of low reconnaissances he has conducted has proved of the greatest value to his corps.
(M.C. gazetted 14th November, 1916.)"
(London Gazette – 8 February 1918)
This page was last updated on 13/10/22
H S P Walmsley
