Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation
Air Vice Marshal W J Seward (08101)
Walter John b: 17 Oct 1898 r: 31 May 1954 d: 9 Sep 1972
CB - 8 Jun 1950, CBE - xx xxx 1944, MiD - 17 Mar 1941.
(Army):- (T) 2 Lt: 10 Apr 1917.
(RAF):- Lt: 1 Apr 1918, Fg Off: 1 Aug 1919 [1 Apr 1918], Flt Lt: 1 Jan 1924, Sqn Ldr: 1 Oct 1934, Wg Cdr: 1 Jan 1938, (T) Gp Capt: 1 Sep 1940, Act A/Cdre: 1 May 1943, Gp Capt (WS): 1 Nov 1943, Gp Capt: 1 Dec 1943, (T) A/Cdre: 1 Oct 1944, A/Cdre: 1 Jul 1947, Act AVM: 1 Feb 1949, AVM: 1 Jan 1950.
xx xxx xxxx: Cadet, RFC
10 Apr 1917: Flying Officer, RFC
15 Jun 1919: Pilot, No 5 Sqn.
12 Dec 1919: Awarded Short Service Commission in the rank of Flying Officer (Aeroplane).
26 Mar 1921: Supernumerary (Non-Effective - Sick), RAF Depot
1 Jun 1921: Staff - PT & Games, No 1 School of Technical Training (Boys)/(Apprentices). RAF Halton.
4 Oct 1927: Attended London University.
15 Nov 1928: Meteorological Officer, HQ Iraq Command.
2 Nov 1930: Supernumerary, RAF Depot.
17 Mar 1931: Pilot, No 7 Sqn.
10 Dec 1932: Officer Commanding, 'A' Flight, No 101 Sqn. (arrived 13 Jan 1933)
8 - 21 Dec 1933: Officer Commanding (Temporary), No 101 Sqn
18 Dec 1934: Personnel Staff, HQ Coastal Area.
4 Jan 1936: Personnel Staff, HQ Coastal Command.
1 Apr - 14 May 1937: Attached to HQ No 16 (Reconnaissance) Group.
24 May 1937: Officer Commanding, No 2 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit.
25 Feb 1938: Staff/Officer Commanding, RAF Lee on Solent.
10 Oct 1939: Senior Administration Staff Officer, HQ No 12 (Fighter) Group.
15 Jun 1940: Officer Commanding, No 7 Operational Training Unit.
1 Nov 1940: Officer Commanding, No 57 Operational Training Unit.
27 Nov 1940: Supernumerary, RAF Hendon
2 Dec 1940: Officer Commanding, RAF Hendon
20 May 1941: Deputy Director of Personal Services.
5 May 1943: AOC, No 12 (Operational Training) Group, Canada.
xx Dec 1944: AOC, No 54 Group.
1 Mar 1946: SASO, HQ No 219 Group.
xx xxx 1947: AOC, No 27 Group.
1 Feb 1949: AOA, HQ British Air Forces of Occupation.
12 Feb 1951: AOC, No 61 (Eastern) Group.
9 Aug 1954: Director of Auxiliaries, Reserves and Air Cadets. (Ret'd)
xx xxx xxxx - 11 Mar 1957:
Honorary Air Commordore, No 661 Air Observation Post Sqn, RAuxAF
Between 7 August and 16
September 1931 he led a composite flight at RAF Catfoss to conduct bombing
trials with HMS Centurion. Similar trials were undertaken with the vessel
between 29 August and 10 September 1932. He was a representative
of the RAF at the funeral of King George VI. Honorary
Air Commodore to No 661 (AOP) Squadron RAAF, 1955 to ?.
This page was last updated on 10/02/21
J deM Severne