- Denis Spotswood
-
Sir Denis Frank Spotswood
Marshal of the Royal Air Force Sir Denis Spotswood
Crown CopyrightBorn 26 September 1916 Died 11 November 2001 (aged 85)Allegiance United Kingdom Service/branch Royal Air Force Years of service 1936–1974 Rank Marshal of the Royal Air Force Commands held Chief of the Air Staff
RAF Strike Command
RAF Germany
No. 3 Bomber GroupBattles/wars World War II Awards Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath
Commander of the Order of the British Empire
Distinguished Service Order
Distinguished Flying Cross
Mentioned in Despatches (2)
Legion of Merit (United States)Marshal of the Royal Air Force Sir Denis Frank Spotswood GCB, CBE, DSO, DFC, RAF (26 September 1916 – 11 November 2001) was a senior commander in the Royal Air Force.
Contents
RAF career
Educated at Kingston Grammar School, Spotswood joined the Evening Standard as a trainee journalist in 1932.[1] He decided to join the Royal Air Force in 1936.[2] He served in World War II becoming Officer Commanding No. 500 Squadron in 1942 before being appointed Director of Plans at the Headquarters of the Supreme Allied Commander South East Asia.[2] He was Mentioned in Despatches twice.[2]
After the War he joined the Directing Staff at the RAF Staff College, Bracknell before becoming Officer Commanding RAF Horsham St Faith in 1947 and then RAF Coltishall in 1948.[2] He joined the Directing Staff at the Imperial Defence College in 1950 before becoming Officer Commanding RAF Linton-on-Ouse in 1954, Deputy Director of Plans at the Air Ministry in 1956 and Commandant at RAF College Cranwell in 1958.[2] He went on to be Assistant Chief of the Staff (Air Defence) at SHAPE in 1961.[2]
He was appointed Air Officer Commanding No. 3 Bomber Group in 1964,[2] Commander-in-Chief RAF Germany in 1965[2] and Commander-in-Chief RAF Strike Command in 1968.[2] He served as Chief of the Air Staff from 1 April 1971 to 31 March 1974.[2] During Spotswood's tenure, Prince Charles completed his flying training and, as Chief of the Air Staff, Spotswood presented Prince Charles with his 'wings'.[2]
Later life
In retirement he became a director of Rolls-Royce and of Smiths Industries.[2]
Honours and awards
- Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath – 1 Jan 1971 (KCB – 10 Jun 1966, CB – 1 Jan 1961)
- Commander of the Order of the British Empire - 1 Jan 1946
- Distinguished Service Order – 28 Sep 1943
- Distinguished Flying Cross – 10 Nov 1942
- Mentioned in Despatches - 24 Sep 1941, 2 Jun 1943
- Officer of the Legion of Merit (United States) – 9 Mar 1948
- Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society - 1975
References
- Probert, H. (1991). High Commanders of the Royal Air Force. HMSO. ISBN 0-11-772635-4
Military offices Preceded by
Sir Ronald LeesCommander-in-Chief RAF Germany
Also Commander of the Second Tactical Air Force
1965–1968Succeeded by
C Foxley-NorrisPreceded by
Sir Wallace KyleCommander-in-Chief Strike Command
1968–1971Succeeded by
Sir Andrew HumphreyPreceded by
Sir John GrandyChief of the Air Staff
1971–1974Succeeded by
Sir Andrew HumphreySir Hugh Trenchard • Sir Frederick Sykes • Sir Hugh Trenchard • Sir John Salmond • Sir Geoffrey Salmond • Sir John Salmond • Sir Edward Ellington • Sir Cyril Newall • Lord Portal • Lord Tedder • Sir John Slessor • Sir William Dickson • Sir Dermot Boyle • Sir Thomas Pike • Sir Charles Elworthy • Sir John Grandy • Sir Denis Spotswood • Sir Andrew Humphrey • Sir Neil Cameron • Sir Michael Beetham • Sir Keith Williamson • Sir David Craig • Sir Peter Harding • Sir Michael Graydon • Sir Richard Johns • Sir Peter Squire • Sir Jock Stirrup • Sir Glenn Torpy • Sir Stephen Dalton
Categories:- 1916 births
- 2001 deaths
- Chiefs of the Air Staff (United Kingdom)
- Commanders of the Order of the British Empire
- Companions of the Distinguished Service Order
- Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath
- Marshals of the Royal Air Force
- Recipients of the Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)
- Officers of the Legion of Merit
- Fellows of the Royal Aeronautical Society
- Royal Air Force personnel of World War II
- Rolls-Royce people
- People educated at Kingston Grammar School
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.