Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation

Air Chief Marshal Sir John Stacey (193002)

(William) John             b:   1 Dec 1924                                                         d:   1 Jan 1981

KCB – 11 Jun 1977, CBE – 1 Jan 1972, FRAeS.

(RAFVR): AC2: xx xxx xxxx, Plt Off (P) (emer): 23 Dec 1944, Fg Off (WS): 23 Jun 1945, Flt Lt: 23 Jun 1948,  

(RAF):  Flt Lt: 15 Oct 1947 [23 Dec 1945], Sqn Ldr: 1 Jul 1955,  Wg Cdr: 1 Jan 1961, Gp Capt: 1 Jul 1965, A/Cdre: 1 Jul 1970,  AVM: 1 Jul 1973, Act AM: 17 Jan 1976,  AM: 1 Jan 1977,  ACM: 1 Jun 1979.

xx xxx 1942:           U/T Pilot (1570249)

23 Dec 1944:          Appointed to a commission in the RAFVR

xx xxx 1944            Pilot, No 155 Sqn.

xx xxx xxxx:            Pilot, No 60 Sqn.

15 Jan 1947:           Pilot, No 54 Sqn.

xx - 3 Mar 1947:       Detached to London to write up reports for Squadron history

10 - 12 Mar 1947:       Detached to London to write up reports for Squadron history

xx - 24 Apr 1947:        Attended Aircraft Recognition Course, RAF Sutton-on-Hull

15 Oct 1947:          Appointed to a Short Service Commission in the rank of Flight Lieutenant  (seniority 23 Dec 1945)

xx Oct 1947:           Pilot, A & AEE (Vampire Winterisation Trials, Canada)

22 Apr 1948:          Pilot, No 72 Sqn.

25 Apr - xx May 1948:                 Attended No 10 Instrument Rating Course (Awarded White Card)

xx  - xx May 1948:                       Attended No 2 Fighter Command Familiarisation Course, RAF Middle Wallop

  2 Nov 1948:         Flying Instructors' Course, Central Flying School (categorised 'B1')

30 Dec 1948:          Appointed to a Permanent Commission in the rank of Flight Lieutenant.

 4 May 1949:           QFI, RAF College Cranwell.

xx xxx 1951:           Examining Officer, CFS.

 6 Nov 1952:          Personal Assistant to Head of Air Force Staff, BJSM (Washington).

xx xxx 1955:            Supernumerary?, AMU

 9 Jan 1956:           Officer Commanding, No 54 Sqn.

25 Feb - 6 Apr 1957:        Attended No 37 Day Fighter Leaders Course, CFE

12 Feb 1958:           Staff, HQ Home Command

xx Aug 1958:           Passed the Staff College Qualifying Examination

xx Jan 1959:            Attended No 13 Course, RAF Flying College (awarded the Symbol 'pfc')

13 Jul 1959:            Chief of Nuclear Operations Branch, HQ 2nd ATAF.

 1 Jul 1963:             Officer Commanding, No 50 Sqn. (Vulcan B1A)

 9 Jul 1965:             Deputy Director of Operations - Bomber & Reconnaissance.

 3 Jan 1969:           Officer Commanding, RAF Coltishall.

xx xxx 1969:           Officer Commanding, RAF Akrotiri.

xx xxx 1972:           Attended Royal College of Defence Studies.

 4 Nov 1972:          Chief of Staff, HQ No 46 Group/Commander, UK Joint Airborne Task Force.

27 Jul 1974:            Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Policy).

17 Jan 1976:           Deputy C in C, Strike Command.

25 Jul 1977:            C in C, RAF Germany/Commander, 2ATAF.

 1 Jun 1979:            Deputy C in C, Allied Forces Central Europe

Educated in Eire and South Africa, he joined the RAF in  1942 and undertook his pilot training in South Africa.  Selected as a fighter pilot, he was initially posted to Burma to fly Curtiss Mohawks with No 155  Squadron. He then moved to No 60 Squadron also in Burma flying Hurricanes.  He flew a  third operational type, the Spitfire, when he moved yet again to No 54 Squadron, this time in Australia.  Eventually returning to the UK, he joined No 72 Squadron, initially flying Spitfires but soon converted onto his first jet, the Vampire. 

Was reserve pilot for 1947 aerobatic team from No 54 Sqn.

This entry was last updated on 11/07/26^©

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