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Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation
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Dennis Fenn b: 12 Dec 1918 r: 25 Jan 1971 d: 10 Dec 1994
CVO
– 31 Dec 1985, OBE – 8 Jun 1944, DFC – 26 Sep 1941, AFC
- 1 Jan 1960, MiD - 2 Jun 1943.
Act Plt Off (P): 25 Jan 1937, Plt Off: 16 Nov 1937, Fg Off: 16 Jun 1939, Flt Lt (WS): 3 Sep 1940, Act Sqn Ldr: xx xxx 1941?, (T) Sqn Ldr: 1 Dec 1941, Act Wg Cdr: 9 Dec 1941, Sqn Ldr (WS): 9 Jun 1942, Sqn Ldr: 1 Aug 1947, Wg Cdr: 1 Jan 1953, Act Gp Capt: 5 Sep 1960, Gp Capt: 1 Jan 1961, A/Cdre: 1 Jul 1965.
25 Jan 1937: Granted a Short Service Commission.
25 Jan 1937: Initial Officer Training, RAF Depot?.
6 Feb 1937: U/T Pilot, No 11 FTS.
4 Sep 1937: Pilot, No 211 Sqn.
24 Apr 1938: Supernumerary, No 211 Sqn, pending posting to No 47 Sqn
30 Apr 1938: Pilot/Adjutant, No 45 Sqn.
12 Sep 1938: Attached, RAF Helwan for duty as Adjutant (wef 8 Aug 1938)
20 May 1940: Officer Commanding, 'C' Flight, No 45 Sqn
xx Feb 1941 Officer Commanding, Ferry Control, Khartoum (No 216 Group).
xx xxx 1941: Flight Commander, No 113 Sqn.
9 Dec 1941?: Officer Commanding, No 2 Ferry Control
6 Oct 1942: Transferred to the Reserve and recalled for Air Force Service.
1 Jan 1943: Air Staff, HQ No 216 Group
6 Apr 1944: Officer Commanding, No 119 Wing, RAF Habbaniya
8 Apr - 14 May 1944: Officer Commanding No 151 Wing
17 Jul 1944: Air Staff, HQ Transport Command.
25 Jun 1946:
Appointed to Permanent Commission in the rank of Flight Lieutenant (retaining
rank current at the time).
22 Mar 1948: Administrative Staff Officer, HQ Rhodesian Air Training Group.
22 Feb 1951: Air Staff, HQ, No 64 Group.
14 Jan 1953: Seconded to Indian Air Force.
xx Jan 1958: Officer Commanding, Transport Command Examining Unit.
5 Sep 1960: Deputy Director of Operational Requirements (B)/(2).
7 Dec 1963: Officer Commanding, RAF Geilenkirchen
21 Jun 1965: Assistant Chief of Staff (Intelligence), HQ Allied Forces Central Europe.28 Jun 1968: Commandant, Royal Observer Corps
Retired at his own request.
Recommendation for the award of Officer of the Order of the British Empire
"RIXSON, Dennis Fenn, W/C, DFC (39393, Royal Air Force) - No.216 Group Headquarters
Wing Commander Rixson, now Deputy Senior Administrative Staff Officer, commanded 2 Ferry Control since December 1941, being responsible for the seven Staging Posts under this control. Through his exceptional keenness, ability and inspiring leadership, these staging posts have operated with considerable efficiency, despite the very primitive conditions existing there. This officer has always taken an exceptional interest in the welfare of his men, and the high morale in all his units can be directly attributed to his outstanding personality. He has been commended by the Sudan Government."
(Source – Air 2/8959)
Public Record Office Air 2/9609 has citation for a proposed OBE for the Birthday Honours List (published 2 June 1943). It appears to have had no outcome on this occasion. His unit was given as No.2 Middle East Ferry Control. The citation was as follows:
"Since December 1941, this officer has been in command of No.2 Ferry Control. Despite the very primitive conditions existing, the seven staging posts under his control have operated with considerable efficiency. This is almost entirely owing to the keenness, ability and leadership of Wing Commander Rixson. During the recent campaign his energy and driving power materially assisted aircraft reinforcements to reach the battle area. Over a long period this officer has displayed the utmost devotion to duty."
This page was last updated on 10/02/24©
A
P Ritchie
