G I L Saye

Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation

Air Vice Marshal G I L Saye (16255)

Geoffrey Ivon Laurence Saye Geoffrey Ivon Laurence b: 1 Mar 1907 d: 6 Mar 1959

CB - 10 Jun 1948, OBE- 11 Jul 1940, AFC - 3 Jun 1933, MiD - 11 Jun 1942, FIN - 1949.

Plt Off: 11 Dec 1926, Fg Off: 11 Jun 1928, Flt Lt: 1 Dec 1932, Sqn Ldr: 1 Aug 1937, (T) Wg Cdr: 1 Jun 1940, (T) Gp Capt: 1 Jun 1942, Wg Cdr (WS): 1 Dec 1942, Wg Cdr: 1 Dec 1943, Act A/Cdre: 18 Dec 1944, Gp Capt (WS): 18 Jun 1945, Gp Capt: 1 Oct 1946, A/Cdre: 1 Jul 1950, AVM: 1 Jan 1954.

Geoffrey Ivon Laurence Saye

by Elliott & Fry
bromide print, 1953
NPG x91326

15 Jan 1925: Flight Cadet, 'A' Sqn, RAF College.

11 Dec 1926: Appointed to a Permanent Commission.

3 Mar 1927: Flying Boat Pilot's Course, RAF Base Calshot.

1 Jan 1928: Staff, RAF Base, Calshot.

13 May 1929: Armament Officer, No 201 Sqn

17 Mar 1930: Pilot, No 209 Sqn. (Iris)

12 Aug 1932: Supernumerary - non effective (sick), RAF Depot.

5 Apr 1933: Pilot, No 201 Sqn. (Southampton II)

4 Jun 1933: Instructor, Seaplane Training Sqn, RAF Base, Calshot.

16 Nov 1934: Adjutant, RAF Heliopolis.

27 Apr 1936: Attended School of Air Navigation (Specialist Navigation Course).

14 Aug 1937: Navigation Officer, HQ No 1 (Bomber) Group.

xx xxx 1939: Navigation Officer, HQ Advanced Air Striking Force.

27 May 1940: Navigation Staff Officer, HQ Flying Training Command

4 Dec 1940: Command Navigation Officer, HQ Bomber Command.

xx Jul 1942: Officer Commanding, RAF Waterbeach.

10 Sep 1943: Officer Commanding (Temporary), RAF Base, Waterbeach.

16 Sep - 8 Oct 1943: Officer Commanding (Temporary), No 33 Base, Waterbeach.

23 Oct - 4 Nov 1943: Officer Commanding (Temporary), No 33 Base, Waterbeach.

17 May 1944: Supernumerary, Central Navigation School

25 May 1944: Officer Commanding, Central Navigation School/RAF Shawbury.

xx Sep 1944: Officer Commanding, Empire Central Navigation School/RAF Shawbury.

18 Dec 1944: Director of Navigation.

10 Mar 1948: Group Captain - Organisation, HQ RAF Mediterranean & Middle East

22 Apr 1950: Director of Manning.

xx Jan 1953: Attended Imperial Defence College.

30 Jan 1954: AOA, HQ Middle East Air Force.

10 Jul 1956: AOC, No 19 (Reconnaissance) Group.

He attained the rank of Flt Cdt Cpl at Cranwell. In 1930, he was a member of the first RAF crew to fly to Iceland.

On 13 July 1932, he was flying as 2nd pilot in the Saunders-Roe A7, N240, which was forced to make an emergency landing off The Maidens and was rescued by the Greek steamer Nicos.

Following the disbandment ceremonies of No 228 Squadron and RAF St Eval on 6 March 1959 he was taken ill and died the same day.

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