Denis Spotswood

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Sir Denis Spotswood
Mentioned in Despatches (2)
Officer of the Legion of Merit
(United States)

Second World War as a flying boat pilot and then as a coastal reconnaissance squadron commander during Operation Torch, the invasion of North Africa. He served as a station commander in the late 1940s and early 1950s before becoming a senior air commander in the late 1950s. As the Chief of the Air Staff in the early 1970s he had a major role in implementing the defence savings demanded by the Heath Government
in the face of economic difficulties at the time.

RAF career

The son of Frank Henry Spotswood and Maud Caroline Spotswood (née Booth), Spotswood was educated at Kingston Grammar School[1] before joining the Evening Standard as a trainee journalist in 1932.[2] He decided to change career and joined the Royal Air Force, being commissioned as an acting pilot officer on 14 April 1936[3] and, after completing flying training, he was confirmed in the appointment on 6 January 1937.[4] He was posted to No. 220 Squadron flying Ansons from RAF Bircham Newton in 1936 in January 1937 and then transferred to No. 201 Squadron flying Southampton flying boats from RAF Calshot in October 1937 and then to No. 209 Squadron flying Singapore and Stranraer flying boats from RAF Invergordon in February 1938.[5]

Catalina flying boat, a type flown by Spotswood during the Second World War

Spotswood served in the

war substantive basis on 18 July 1942,[10] Spotswood and his squadron were deployed to Gibraltar in November 1942 to take part in Operation Torch, the invasion of North Africa.[9] He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross on 10 November 1942.[11]

Spotswood joined the Air Staff in the Directorate of Operations at the

wing commander on a temporary basis on 1 July 1944[14] and on a war substantive basis on 11 August 1944.[15] He was promoted to squadron leader on a permanent basis on 1 September 1945.[16]

Appointed a

wing commander on 1 July 1947.[18] After becoming Station Commander at RAF Horsham St Faith in December 1947 and then Station Commander at RAF Coltishall in January 1948,[5] he was made an Officer of the Legion of Merit by the President of the United States on 9 March 1948.[19]

After attending the Air Defence Course at the

Aide-de-Camp to the Queen on 18 June 1957,[21] he became Commandant at the RAF College Cranwell in August 1958.[5] He was promoted to air commodore on 1 January 1960.[22]

Appointed a

Commander-in-Chief RAF Germany as well as Commander of the Second Tactical Air Force on 6 December 1965.[26]

Having been advanced to

Prince Charles with his 'wings' at the end of his flying training in August 1971.[5] Spotswood was promoted to Marshal of the Royal Air Force on 31 March 1974[35] and retired on the same day.[5]

Later life

In retirement Spotswood became Deputy Chairman of

Rolls-Royce, a Director of Dowty Group and then a Director of Smiths Industries.[5] He also became Chairman of the Trustees of the RAF Museum and of the Royal Star and Garter Home.[36] He died of cancer at Thamesfield Care Home in Henley-on-Thames on 11 November 2001.[1]

Personal life

In July 1942 he married Margaret Ann Child; they had one son.[1] His interests included golf and gardening.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Sir Denis Frank Spotswood". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. Retrieved 9 June 2012.
  2. ^ a b Probert, p. 70
  3. ^ "No. 34274". The London Gazette. 10 June 1948. p. 2457.
  4. ^ "No. 34369". The London Gazette. 10 June 1948. p. 895.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n "Marshal of the Royal Air Force Sir Denis Spotswood". Air of Authority – A History of RAF Organisation. Retrieved 9 June 2012.
  6. ^ "No. 34976". The London Gazette. 22 October 1940. p. 6139.
  7. ^ "No. 35284". The London Gazette (Supplement). 23 September 1941. p. 5571.
  8. ^ "No. 35383". The London Gazette (Supplement). 16 December 1941. p. 7111.
  9. ^ a b Probert, p. 71
  10. ^ "No. 35736". The London Gazette (Supplement). 6 October 1942. p. 4385.
  11. ^ "No. 35777". The London Gazette (Supplement). 6 November 1942. p. 4868.
  12. ^ "No. 36033". The London Gazette (Supplement). 28 May 1943. p. 2454.
  13. ^ "No. 36187". The London Gazette (Supplement). 24 September 1943. p. 4307.
  14. ^ "No. 36618". The London Gazette (Supplement). 18 July 1944. p. 3398.
  15. ^ "No. 36701". The London Gazette (Supplement). 12 September 1944. p. 4262.
  16. ^ "No. 37511". The London Gazette (Supplement). 22 March 1946. p. 1531.
  17. ^ "New Year Honours". Flight Global. 10 January 1946. Retrieved 9 June 2012.
  18. ^ "No. 38020". The London Gazette (Supplement). 18 July 1947. p. 3419.
  19. ^ "No. 38231". The London Gazette (Supplement). 5 March 1948. p. 1743.
  20. ^ "No. 40061". The London Gazette (Supplement). 29 December 1953. p. 63.
  21. ^ "No. 41103". The London Gazette (Supplement). 14 June 1957. p. 3657.
  22. ^ "No. 41915". The London Gazette (Supplement). 29 December 1959. p. 67.
  23. ^ "No. 42231". The London Gazette (Supplement). 27 December 1960. p. 8891.
  24. ^ "No. 42403". The London Gazette (Supplement). 30 June 1961. p. 4931.
  25. ^ a b Probert, p. 72
  26. ^ "No. 43833". The London Gazette (Supplement). 3 December 1965. p. 11443.
  27. ^ "No. 44004". The London Gazette (Supplement). 3 June 1966. p. 6531.
  28. ^ "No. 44039". The London Gazette (Supplement). 30 June 1966. p. 7465.
  29. ^ "No. 44661". The London Gazette (Supplement). 27 August 1968. p. 9352.
  30. ^ "No. 44704". The London Gazette (Supplement). 25 October 1968. p. 11586.
  31. ^ "No. 45174". The London Gazette (Supplement). 14 August 1970. p. 9164.
  32. ^ "No. 45262". The London Gazette (Supplement). 31 December 1970. p. 3.
  33. ^ "No. 45337". The London Gazette (Supplement). 5 April 1971. p. 3340.
  34. ^ Probert, p. 73
  35. ^ "No. 46252". The London Gazette (Supplement). 1 April 1974. p. 4287.
  36. ^ Probert, p. 74

Sources

  • Probert, Henry (1991). High Commanders of the Royal Air Force. HMSO.
    ISBN 0-11-772635-4
    .
Military offices
Preceded by Commander-in-Chief RAF Germany
Also Commander of the Second Tactical Air Force
1965–1968 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Commander-in-Chief Strike Command
1968–1971 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Chief of the Air Staff
1971–1974
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