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Air Vice-Marshal R D Oxland


R D Oxland - 1916Robert Dickinson OxlandRobert Dickinson            

b:  4 Apr 1889                r: 10 May 1946                    d: 27 Oct 1959

CB - 2 Jun 1943, CBE - 11 Jun 1942 (OBE - 3 Jun 1929), PR2 - 29 May 1942, MiD - 1 Jan 1943, MiD - 8 Jun 1944.

For a list of foreign decoration abbreviations, click here

(Army): - (T) 2 Lt: 16 Dec 1915, (T) Capt: 1 Dec 1916.

(RAF): - Capt: 1 Apr 1918, (T) Maj: 8 Aug 1918, Act Maj: 1 May 1919, Flt Lt: 1 Aug 1919 [1 Apr 1918], Sqn Ldr: 1 Jan 1924, Wg Cdr: 1 Jan 1930, Gp Capt: 1 Jan 1936, A/Cdre: 1 Jan 1939, Act AVM: 9 Mar 1941, (T) AVM: 1 Dec 1942, AVM: 1 Dec 1944.  

Photo (left) - taken from his RAeC Certificate

Photo (right) - Robert Dickinson Oxland

by Bassano Ltd
bromide print, 3 March 1944
NPG x85374

© National Portrait Gallery, London

xx xxx xxxx:          Soldier?, Egypt

16 Dec 1915:          Appointed to a Commission on the General List (Infantry)

xx xxx 1915:            Attached, No 30 Sqn RFC - Egypt

xx xxx 1915:            U/T Pilot, Egypt (RAeC Certificate 2444)

16 Apr 1916:           Flying Officer, RFC

xx xxx 1916:             Pilot, Orfordness Experimental Station.

 1 Dec 1916:            Flight Commander, Orfordness Experimental Station.

20 Oct 1918:           Officer Commanding, No 38 Sqn. (FE2b, FE2d – Western Front)

16 Jan 1919:            Staff Officer, Air Ministry

 1 Apr 1920:            Staff, RAF Depot.

 6 Jan 1921:             Staff Officer, HQ Mesopotamian Wing.

13 Oct 1921:           Meteorological Officer, HQ RAF Iraq.

14 Jan 1923:            Meteorological Officer, HQ RAF Middle East.

25 Mar 1925:           Supernumerary, RAF Depot.

 3 Jun 1925:            Officer Commanding, No 502 (Ulster) Sqn. (Vimy – Aldergrove)

 5 Oct 1926:            Officer Commanding, No 503 (City of Lincoln) Sqn. (Fawn – Waddington)

26 Feb 1927:           Flight Commander, No 503 (City of Lincoln) Sqn. (Fawn – Waddington)

26 May 1927:          CFI, No 2 FTS.

22 Jan 1930:            Attended Army Staff College, Camberley.

20 Dec 1931:           Staff, HQ Wessex Bombing Area.

 1 Oct 1932:             Air Staff, HQ Iraq Command.

 1 Feb 1934:            Staff, Directorate of Operations and Intelligence.

15 Oct 1934:            Deputy Director, Directorate of Operational Requirements.

18 Jan 1938:            Attended Imperial Defence College.

28 Dec 1938:            Director of Personal Services.

27 Nov 1940:           Supernumerary, No 1 (Bomber) Group.

 1 Dec 1940:            AOC, No 1 (Bomber) Group.

24 Feb 1943:            SASO, HQ Bomber Command.

xx xxx 1944 - xx xxx 1944:            Bomber Command Liaison Officer, SHAEF.

xx xxx 1945:            AOA, HQ Air Command South East Asia.

He gained RAeC Certificate No 2444 on 9 February 1916.  No 502 (Ulster) Sqn was the first of the Special Reserve units and he was its first CO.  However, when the CO's post was raised in establishment to that of a Wing Commander, he was tasked with organising the formation of another Special Reserve squadron, No 503.  In 1936, he was appointed chairman of the committee, which decided to produce the four engined heavy bombers resulting in the Stirling, Halifax and Lancaster.   During his time at HQ Bomber Command, he concentrated on the direction of operations in support of 'Overlord' whilst Hugh Walmsley oversaw the area bombing programme.

Citation for the award of Officer of the Order of the British Empire

OXLAND, Robert Dickinson, S/L - awarded as per London Gazette dated 3 June 1929 in King's Birthday List.

"For the exceptionally high standard of work, devotion to duty and example this officer has displayed, which have had a marked effect in raising the efficiency of the unit with which he is serving.

His attention to detail and the complete subordination of his own interests to those of the Service have been most conspicuous.  His ability, which is much above the average, is invariably exercised to the fullest extent in his capacity as Chief Flying Instructor - a post calling for the highest qualities in an officer."

(Source - Air 30/79)

This page was last updated on 11/12/22

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