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Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation
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Ian Douglas Napier b: 11 Nov 1917 r: 8 Sep 1969 d: 22 Jan 1998
CB – 1 Jan 1965, CBE – 10 Jun 1961, DFC
– 30 Jan 1942, Bar – 25 May 1943, AE – xx xxx 1945,
MiD - 14 Jan 1944, MiD – 1 Jan 1945, MiD – 1 Jan 1946, LoM (Off) - 9 Oct
1945,
(RAFVR): AC2: 18 Sep 1938, Sgt: 19 Sep 1938, Plt Off (P): 22 Sep 1940, Fg Off (WS): 22 Sep 1941, Act Flt Lt: 1 Feb 1942, Flt Lt (WS): 22 Sep 1942, Act Sqn Ldr: 1 Sep 1942, Act Wg Cdr: 1 Jan 1944, Sqn Ldr (WS): 1 Apr 1944, Act Gp Capt: 26 Jul 1944 - 2 May 1945, Wg Cdr (WS): 26 Jan 1945 – 1 Nov 1947,
(RAF): Sqn Ldr: 2 Apr 1946 [1 Sep 1945], Act Wg Cdr: 1 Nov 1947 - 26 Jan 1948, Wg Cdr: 1 Jul 1952, Gp Capt: 1 Jul 1958, Act A/Cdre: 3 Dec 1962, A/Cdre: 1 Jan 1963, Act AVM: 1 Apr 1965, AVM: 1 Jul 1965.
18 Sep 1938: U/T pilot RAFVR, No 21 E & RFTS, Stapleford.
1 Sep 1939: Mobilised
29 Nov 1939: U/T, pilot, No 3 Initial Training Wing, Bexhill
13 May 1940: HQ Reserve Command Pool whilst undergoing flying training at No 6 EFTS
29 Jun 1940: Advanced Flying Training, RAF Cranwell
21 Sep 1940: Operational Training, No 11 OTU.
22 Sep 1940: Appointed to an Emergency Commission in the RAFVR
11 Nov 1940: Pilot, No 214 Sqn.
9 Mar 1941: Pilot, No 3 Group Training Flight
15 Mar 1941: Pilot, Middle East Pool (awaiting posting)
16 Mar 1941: Pilot, No 148 Sqn.
2 Dec 1941: PA to AOC, No 205 Group
1 Sep 1942: Flight Commander, No 70 Sqn.
18 Mar 1943: Group Training Inspector, HQ No 205 Group.
3 Sep 1943: Attached to Bomber Command (Temporary duty in connection with Dive Bombing Operations)
26 Jul 1944: Operations Staff, HQ Mediterranean Allied Air Forces.
16 Mar 1945: Supernumerary, HQ Mediterranean Allied Air Forces.
16 Mar 1945: Supernumerary, No 1 Personnel Despatch Centre
4 Apr - 1 May 1945: Attached Senior Commanders' Course, No 1 Officers' Advance Training School
2 May 1945: Administrative Staff, HQ Bomber Command.
3 May 1945: Supernumerary, Administrative Staff, HQ Bomber Command.
5 Jun 1945: Organisation Staff, HQ Bomber Command.
2 Apr 1946:
Appointed to Permanent Commission in the rank of Squadron Leader (retaining
rank current at the time).
28 Oct 1946: Air Staff, Deputy Directorate of Staff Duties (III)
1 Feb 1947: Air Staff, Deputy Directorate of Staff Training (III)
26 Jan 1948: Supernumerary, Air Ministry Unit.
27 Jan 1947: Air Staff, Deputy Directorate of Staff Training (III)
19 Jul 1949: Attended Flying Refresher Course, Flying Refresher School, Finningley
28 Aug 1949: Attended Dakota Conversion Course, No 240 OCU
3 Jan 1950: Officer Commanding, No 10 Sqn. (Dakota C3/4)
20 Feb 1950: Supernumerary (on disestablishment of post), HQ (U) Transport Command
25 Apr 1950: Attended Mosquito Refresher Flying Course, No 204 AFS
16 May 1950: Attended Mosquito Refresher Flying Course No 237 OCU
18 Jul 1950: Attended No 236 OCU
9 Nov 1950: Officer Commanding, No 683 Sqn. (Lancaster PR3)
5 Feb 1952: Officer Commanding Admin Wing, RAF Kabrit
15 Dec 1952: Supernumerary, RAF Kabrit
18 Dec 1952: Supernumerary, No 5 Personnel Despatch Centre
16 Feb 1953: Attended No 11 Course, Joint Services Staff College.
1 Sep 1953: Supernumerary, Air Ministry Unit
8 Sep 1953: Staff Officer, Air Intelligence (Joint Intelligence Staff)
2 - 15 May 1954: Attended No 8 Pilot Refresher Course, South Cerney
15 - 28 Jul 1956: Attended No 64 Pilot Refresher Course, Feltwell
23 Sep 1956: Attended No 53 (F) Course, No 5 FTS
28 Oct 1956: Attended No 9 Course, RAF Manby
4 Jan 1957: Attended No 106 Course, RAF Flying College (awarded te Symbol 'pfc')
24 Jun 1957: Officer Commanding, No 216 Sqn.
28 Jul 1958: Group Captain - Plans, HQ Transport Command.
3 Apr 1962: Officer Commanding, RAF Lyneham.
18 Nov 1962: Supernumerary, HQ, Air Forces Middle East.
3 Dec 1962: AOA, HQ, Air Forces Middle East.
23 Nov 1964: Supernumerary, HQ (Unit), Technical Training Command
21 Dec 1964: Supernumerary, RAF College.
23 Dec 1964: AOC & Commandant, RAF College.
1 Feb 1967: Assistant Chief Adviser (Personnel and Logistics), MoD (RAFHQU)
Graduating from London Polytechnic in 1934, he joined De Havilland until 1939. In 1938 he joined the RAFVR as a Sergeant but by the time he was called up in 1939, he had only completed 40 hours training. Posted to RAF Cranwell to continue his training he was commissioned on completion and then posted to fly Wellingtons with No 214 Squadron via No 11 OTU. However, after 12 missions with 214 he was sent out to the Middle East where he joined No 148 Squadron. With 148 he took part in operations against targets in North Africa, Greece, Crete, Sicily and Yugoslavia. Taken off operations he became training officer at Group HQ, but was soon on the move back to Britain in order to familiarise himself with the latest developments in techniques then being used by Bomber Command. Having experienced operations in Europe, he returned to the Middle East tasked with adapting these techniques for use in the theatre as Group Captain – Operations at HQ MEAF.
Awarded a permanent commission at the end of WW2, he attended the RAF Staff College and proceeded on the normal round of operational commands interspersed with staff postings. At the end of 1964 he returned to where he had begun his RAF career as a Sergeant in 1939, Cranwell, as Commandant of the RAF College.
On retirement from the RAF he went back into the aircraft industry, joining BAC in 1969. From 1974 until the formation of British Aerospace in 1979 he was Chief Sales Executive of the Bristol Division at Weybridge. In 1979 he was appointed General Marketing Manager (Civil) of British Aerospace retiring in 1981 to become a non-executive Director of Gloster (Air Holdings) Ltd until the following year.Citation for the award of the Bar to the Distinguished Flying Cross
"LAWSON, Ian Douglas Napier, P/O (86354, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve) - No.148 Squadron.
This officer has been engaged on operational flying since November 1940. Whilst serving in England, Pilot Officer Lawson participated in sorties over Germany and German-occupied territory. Since joining his present unit, Pilot Officer Lawson has been operating at high pressure against enemy targets in the Middle East, including 21 flight over Benghazi, often with new and inexperienced crews. Throughout, this officer has shown the greatest determination to bomb his target accurately, while his skill nit only as a pilot but as an engineer has been outstanding."
(Source - RAF Quarterly, June 1942)
Citation for the award of the Bar to the Distinguished Flying Cross
"LAWSON, Ian Douglas Napier, A/S/L, DFC (86354, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve) - No.70 Squadron
During the recent operations in the Middle East, Squadron Leader Lawson has set an exceptionally high standard of courage and determination. In sorties directed against enemy transport during the advance in November, he completed a number of very successful attacks causing much destruction, in the face of intense opposition, while lately in attacks on the strongly defended airfield of Castel Benito, and on the barracks at Mareth, he started fires and caused extensive damage to buildings. During these operations, Squadron Leader Lawson has led his flight with distinction and complete disregard for personal danger, and by his example has been responsible for much of the success achieved."
(Source - Air Ministry Bulletin)
May thanks to his son Colin Lawson for providing copies of AVM Lawson's service records and personal notes.
This entry was last updated on 22/10/26©
G
M Lawson
