Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation

Air Commodore J C Quinnell

John Charles (Paddy) b: 7 Jan 1891 r: 11 Dec 1944 d: 3 Jan 1983

CB - 1 Jan 1943, DFC - 1 Jan 1919, MiD - 11 Jul 1940.

(Army): - (T) 2 Lt: 9 Oct 1914, (T) Capt: 23 Mar 1916, 2 Lt: 18 May 1916 [26 Mar 1916], (T) Maj: 1 Dec 1916, (T) Lt: 26 Sep 1917,

(RAF): - Maj: 1 Apr 1918, Sqn Ldr: 1 Aug 1919 [1 Apr 1918], Wg Cdr: 1 Jul 1924, Gp Capt: 1 Jul 1931, A/Cdre: 1 Jul 1935.

9 Oct 1914: Officer, Royal Artillery, 20th Division

xx xxx 1915: U/T Pilot, RFC.

10 Jun 1915: Pilot, No 10 Sqn RFC. (BE2c – Netheravon/Western Front)

25 Jul 1915: Embarked for France (by air with 10 Sqn)

2 Dec 1915: Attached, HQ RFC

1 Jun 1916: Flight Commander, No 7 Sqn RFC.

1-3 Jul 1916: Attached, No 6 Sqn RFC

10 Jul 1916: Wounded

12 Jul 1916: Admitted to No 7 Stationary Hospital

14 Jul 1916: Returned to England on AT 'St Denis'

1 Dec 1916: Officer Commanding, No ? (Training) Sqn RFC.

6 Feb 1917: Officer Commanding, No 83 Sqn RFC.

xx Apr 1917: Officer Commanding, No 63 Sqn RFC. (RE8 –Mesopotamia from Aug 1917)

21 Oct 1917: In transit to England

1 Jan 1918: Officer Commanding, No 104 Sqn. (DH9 - Wyton/Andover/IAF)

3 Feb 1919: Officer Commanding, No 27 Sqn.

7 Feb 1919: Officer Commanding, No 49 Sqn.

23 Jul 1919: Officer Commanding, No 22 Sqn. (Bristol F2B –Germany/Ford Junction)

1 Aug 1919: Awarded Permanent Commission as a Major

30 Jan 1920: Officer Commanding, No 60 Sqn. (DH10 – NWF India)

4 Feb 1920: Officer Commanding, No 97 Sqn.

3 Aug 1920: Supernumerary, RAF Depot.

1 Apr 1921: Officer Commanding, No 3 FTS.

30 Jan 1922: Attended School of Naval Co-operation. (Qualified Air Navigation Officer)

15 Jan 1923: Supernumerary, RAF Base Gosport.

1 May 1923: Attended RAF Staff College.

20 Apr 1924: Officer Commanding, No 9 Sqn. (Vimy – Manston)

12 Aug 1924: Air Staff, HQ No 7 Group.

10 Jun 1927: Staff, HQ No 10 Group.

14 Jan 1929: Attended Imperial Defence College.

12 Dec 1929: Successfully completed Course at IDC

18 Jan 1930: Air Staff - Operations, HQ Iraq Command.

17 Feb 1931: Supernumerary - non effective (sick), RAF Depot.

2 May 1931: Officer Commanding, School of Naval Co-operation.

1 Nov 1933: SASO, HQ Western Area.

12 Aug 1935: AOC, No 1 Air Defence Group.

14 Jul 1936: AOC, No 6 (Auxiliary) Group.

xx xxx 1939: SASO, Advanced Air Striking Force.

xx Jan 1940: AOC, No 31 (Balloon Barrage) Group.

xx Sep 1941 AOC, RAF St Athan/No 4 School of Technical Training.

1 Nov 1942: AOC, No 28 (Training) Group.

The son of an Irish newspaper owner, he was born in Tralee and educated at the Royal School, Dungannon and soon became interested in the sea and sailing, becoming quite expert at a young age, even building his own boat, which he sailed during his school holidays. He joined the staff of the Irish Times on leaving school and during one reporting job, managed to get a flight in an aircraft. On the outbreak of war he joined the Royal Artillery and was able to get seconded to the RFC in 1915, he gained his RAeC Certificate, No 1175 on 23 March 1915.

On 28 January 1936 he was a mourner at the funeral of HM King George V. Retiring in 1945, he returned to his first love yachting, taking part in numerous races, winning 26 out 31 starts in his West Solent Class 'Jade' alone.

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