Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation

Air Commodore W Sowrey

William                         b: 8 Aug 1894              r: 21 Sep 1942                        d: 15 Feb 1968

CBE - 17 Oct 1941, DFC - 10 Oct 1922, AFC - 1 Jan 1919, MiD - 28 Oct 1921, MiD - 24 Sep 1941.

(Army): - (T) 2 Lt: 26 Aug 1915, (T) Capt: 10 Nov 1916,  (T) Maj: 1 Jan 1918.

(RAF): - (T) Maj [Capt]: 1 Apr 1918, Flt Lt: 1 Aug 1919?, Act Sqn Ldr: 1 Aug 1919?, Sqn Ldr: 1 Jan 1924, Wg Cdr: 1 Jan 1932,  Gp Capt: 1 Jul 1937,  Act A/Cdre: 19 Oct 1940?, A/Cdre: Retained:

xx xxx xxxx:        Cadet, University of London OTC (King's College).

26 Aug 1915:       Officer, Princess Charlotte of Wale's (Royal Berkshire Regiment).

19 May 1916:       Appointed Flying Officer, RFC and transferred to the General List

26 May 1916:       Pilot, No 8 Sqn

29 Oct 1916:        Attached, No 1 AD (Appointed Flight Commander)

11 Nov 1916:       Flight Commander, No 60 Sqn RFC. (Nieuport 13, Nieuport 17 – Western Front)

 2 Feb 1917:         Returned to Home Establishment

xx xxx 1917:         Pilot, No 37 Sqn RFC 

1 Jan 1918:           Appointed Squadron Commander, RFC

17 Aug 1918:        Officer Commanding, No 50 Sqn. (Camel/SE5A – Bekesbourne)

24 Nov 1918:       Officer Commanding, No 152 Sqn.

12 Sep 1919:        Awarded Short Service Commission in the rank of Squadron Leader

13 Feb 1920:        Officer Commanding, No 6 Sqn. (RE8 - Mosul)?

31 Mar 1920:       Officer Commanding, No 30 Sqn. (RE8, DH9A – Iraq)?

 1 Oct 1921:         Officer Commanding, No 84 Sqn. (DH9A – Shaibah)

14 Apr 1922:        Supernumerary - non effective (sick), RAF Depot.

24 May 1922:       Supernumerary, RAF Depot

13 Oct 1922:        Staff/CFI?, No 1 FTS.

 1 Oct 1926:         Officer Commanding (designate?), No 2 Sqn.

 9 Jan 1927:          Officer Commanding, No 2 Sqn. (Bristol F2B – Manston/Shanghai)

 6 Sep 1927:         Embarked on SS Niwana for return to UK

xx Oct 1927:        Disembarked in London

27 Nov - 8 Dec 1927:       Attended Short Senior Officers' Course, RAF Old Sarum

 8 Apr 1928:         Officer Commanding, Practice Camp, Sutton Bridge.

 8 Dec 1928:         Personnel Staff, HQ ADGB.

 1 Mar 1932:        Officer Commanding, No 3 APC, Sutton Bridge.

22 Nov 1932:       Officer Commanding, No 9 Sqn. (Virginia – Boscombe Down)

29 Dec 1932:        Supernumerary, RAF Depot.

17-23 Feb 1933:  Placed on half pay list, scale B

25 Feb 1933:       Commandant, No 3 Armament Training Camp

 4 Dec 1933:        Administrative duties, Air Armament School

 1 Sep 1934:        Officer Commanding, No 70 Sqn. (Victoria, Valencia – Hinaidi)

 3 May 1937:       Officer Commanding, RAF Honington.

27 Jan 1940:         Supernumerary, RAF Honington

30 Jan - 2 Feb 1940:        Attached to RAF Embarkation Staff, Southampton.

 3 Feb 1940:        Embarked at Southampton for the Middle East

18 Apr 1940         Supernumerary, RAF Nairobi

29 Apr 1940         Officer Commanding, RAF Nairobi

25 Jul 1940:         Officer Commanding, AHQ East Africa

19 Oct 1940:        AOC, AHQ East Africa.

15 Dec 1941:        AOC, No 207 (Training) Group.

Educated at King's College, London, he gained his RAeC Certificate, No 2757 on 1 April 1916.  Commanded RAF/AHQ East Africa during Abyssinian Crisis where the SAAF Wing under his command formed a 'Close Support Flight’, which developed techniques similar to those later to be known as 'Cab Rank' used during the latter part of the war.  He was awarded the CBE for his work in the area.

Citation for the award of the Air Force Cross.

"Maj Sowrey, William, RAF

In recognition of distinguished service"

(London Gazette – 1 January 1919)

Recommendation for the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross

"SOWREY, William, S/L, AFC

For continuous devotion to duty and gallantry when flying.  This officer was in command of No.30 Squadron in 1920 and of No.84 Squadron in 1921.  He has continually led his officers on bomb raids and on demonstrations, and as a leader and as a pilot he sets an excellent example to all serving under his command.

(Source – Air 30/49)

Citation for the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross

"SOWREY, William, S/L, AFC

"For distinguished services rendered during active service operations in Iraq during 1920-1921".

(London Gazette – 10 October 1922)