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Air Commodore A N Davis (43544)


 Anthony Norman                  b: 14 Aug 1918                     r: 18 Sep 1968                     d: 28 Oct 1988

DSO –24 Jul 1945, DFC – 16 Nov 1943, BA.

(Army):- 2 Lt: 25 Aug 1938.

(RAFVR): Plt Off: 13 May 1940, Fg Off (WS): 13 May 1941, Flt Lt (WS): 13 May 1942, Act Sqn Ldr: xx Aug 1944,  

(RAF): Flt Lt: 26 Mar 1946 [1 Sep 1945], Sqn Ldr: 1 Aug 1947, Wg Cdr: 1 Jul 1954, Act Gp Capt: 21 Sep 1959, Gp Capt: 1 Jan 1960, Act A/Cdre: 17 May 1963 - 12 Nov 1965, A/Cdre: Retained.

xx xxx xxxx:            Attended RMA, Woolwich

25 Aug 1938:           Officer, Royal Engineers

13 May 1940:          Granted a Temporary Commission in the RAF

xx xxx xxxx:              Flight Commander, No 16 Sqn.

xx Aug 1944:            Officer Commanding, No 16 Sqn.

xx Sep 1945:

26 Mar 1946:          Appointed to a Permanent Commission in the rank of Flight Lieutenant (retaining rank current at the time) [wef 1 Sep 1945]

 9 Apr 1946:            Attended Course No 16, RAF Staff College (Overseas), Haifa.

 8 Sep 1949:            Air Attaché, Budapest.

xx Jul 1955:              Officer Commanding, No 23 Sqn.

 

21 Sep 1959:           Staff Officer, Department of the CAS.

 2 Oct 1961             Officer Commanding, RAF Leuchars. 

17 May 1963:          Air Attaché, Moscow.

 4 Apr 1966:            Assistant Commandant, RAF Staff College, Andover.

 9 Dec 1966 - xx xxx xxxx:    ADC to The Queen

Originally commissioned into the Royal Engineers, he was seconded to the RAF in 1940, eventually transferring permanently.  Flying in Army Co-operation/Tactical Support squadrons, in 1944 he was appointed to command No 16 Squadron flying Spitfire PR XI, LFIX and PR XIX as part of the 2nd Tactical Air Force.

Following his return from Budapest, he returned to operational flying in command of No 23 Squadron equipped with Venom NF2 and 3 night fighters.

Promoted to Act Air Commodore in 1963, he became Air Attaché to Moscow, although on his return to the UK he reverted to his substantive rank of Group Captain as Assistant Commandant at the Staff College, Andover, becoming the last holder of the post prior to its amalgamation with the similar establishment at Bracknell to form a single RAF Staff College again.

Citation for the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross

DAVIS, Anthony Norman, F/L (43544, Royal Air Force) - No.16 Squadron

"Flight Lieutenant Davis has been a Flight Commander since December 1941 and has participated in a large number of sorties including coastal patrol, air/sea rescue flights, shipping and photographic reconnaissances.  An excellent leader, he has, at all times, shown a fine fighting spirit and a high standard of navigational ability and photography, while his meticulous preparations and attention to detail have resulted in the successful completion of his tasks."

(London Gazette dated 16 November 1943)

Citation for the award of the Distinguished Service Order

DAVIS, Anthony Norman, S/L, DFC (43544, Royal Air Force) - No.16 Squadron - awarded as per London Gazette dated 24 July 1945.   No citation in Gazette. 

"Since the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross, Squadron Leader Davis has been engaged continuously on photographic reconnaissance work.  He has proved himself a skilful and courageous pilot who has never failed to obtain excellent photographs, even in the face of intense opposition.  On four occasions he has been attacked by formations of enemy aircraft, but he has always outmanoeuvred his assailants successfully.  On one of his missions over the Dortmund-Ems Canal his port wing petrol tank was hit by anti-aircraft fire.  Despite the loss of fuel and damage sustained, Squadron Leader Davis continued with his allotted task and secured some fine results.  He has commanded his squadron for a period of eight months, during which time he has displayed exceptional qualities of determination, leadership and judgement."

(Source - Air Ministry Bulletin 19268)

This page was last updated on 24/11/22©

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