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, Act Gp Capt: xx Jun 1940, (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.

xx Jun 1940:            Officer Commanding, No 7 Operational Training Unit/RAF Hawarden

 1 Nov 1940:           Officer Commanding, No 57 Operational Training Unit/RAF Hawarden

24 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 ?.