Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation
Distribution of Duties - Air Ministry (Jul 1939)
The Department of the Air Member for Personnel
[AMP | S7 | S10 | D of P | DPS | DES | DMS | NSB | D of M | DWAAF]
Air Member for Personnel (AMP)
Name | Status/Title | Role/Duties |
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Phillip Babington | Act AM | Air Member for Personnel |
W A Campbel | Private Secretary | |
M H Edwards | Rev | Chaplain in Chief Organisation of Chaplains' Branch for Church of England and appointment of chaplains. |
Secretarial Division allotted to Department of AMP (S7 & S10)
Directorate of Postings (D of P)
Name | Status/Rank | Role/Duties |
J J Breen | A/Cdre | Director of Postings |
H N Hampton | Act Gp Capt | Deputy Director of Postings (DD of P) |
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DP 1 | ||
S H Goater | Staff Officer | Policy, planning and statistics. |
J C Braben E C Colson |
Higher Clerical Officer
Higher Clerical Officer |
Advance indications of the type of employment for individual officers
and airmen pilots. Calculation of course requirements in conjunction with DP 5. Reversion from flying duties to ground duties and vice versa. Disposal of officers and airmen pilots from flying training schools |
DP 2 | ||
F W Stannard | Wg Cdr | Head of Branch. Posting of Wg Cdrs (excluding specialists). |
P S Hutchinson | Sqn Ldr | Posting of GD Sqn Ldrs (excluding specialists). |
W O Jones D W Stannard H J Winch G C Kinnaird |
Sqn Ldr Flt Lt Flt Lt Temporary Civilian Assistant |
Posting of GD Officers (Flt Lts and below) (excluding specialists) and of airmen pilots. |
P E Berryman J W Southwell-Lawler |
Sqn Ldr Flt Lt |
Posting of specialists (Wg Cdrs and below) other than Engineers. |
T G G Hutchinson E K Hofton |
Wg Cdr Flt Lt |
Posting of Engineers (Wg Cdrs and below) |
C E Boucher | Staff Officer | Co-ordination of postings organisation, Requirements of GD personnel for new establishments. Questions of acting promotion granted by commands and groups. |
DP 2 (a) | ||
F H Fidge | Higher Clerical Officer | Questions affecting postings and issue of posting instructions to officers on the active list, and to airmen pilots, in Coastal, Flying Training and Technical Training Commands. |
DP 2 (b) | ||
H J McGee | Higher Clerical Officer | Questions affecting postings and issue of posting instructions to officers on the active list, and to airmen pilots, in Bomber and Fighter Commands, and to personnel posted to Home Establishment from overseas. |
DP 2 (c) | ||
W J Davidson | Higher Clerical Officer | Questions affecting postings and issue of posting instructions to officers on the active list, and to airmen pilots, in Maintenance and Balloon Commands, and in the Air Ministry and miscellaneous units. |
DP 2 (e) | ||
H J Marshall | Higher Clerical Officer | Maintenance of posting cards for DP 2 and DP 4. Preparation and promulgation of Air Ministry Posting List. |
DP 3 | ||
G C N Close | Sqn Ldr | Postings of officer and airmen air gunners (home and overseas) |
J L E Rees | Flt Lt | Postings of officer and airmen air observers (home and overseas). |
A E Porter | Staff Officer | Policy. Statistics. Disposal of air gunners and observers from courses, Liaison with Flying Training Command and the Operational Training Groups. |
G C Mills G Carter Vacant |
Higher Clerical Officer Higher Clerical Officer Higher Clerical Officer |
Issue of posting instructions relating to air
gunners and observers. Maintenance of records and posting cards |
DP 4 | ||
A H Pearce | Wg Cdr | Head of Branch Postings of A & SD Wg Cdrs, and of A & SD officers to and from the Air Ministry. |
Vacant | Flt Lt | Postings of Intelligence officers and A & SD officers overseas. |
D P Fulton | Flt Lt | Postings of A & SD officers in operational commands at home |
I J Pitman | Flt Lt | Postings of A & SD officers in non-operational commands at home |
L W Snagge A MacNaughton |
Flt Lt Flt Lt |
Entry, training and disposal from courses and selection for first appointments of new entrants to the A & SD Branch |
H M McElligott | Flt Lt | Postings of Equipment officers. |
J G Andrews | Flt Lt | Postings of Accountant officers. |
C Kershaw | Flt Lt | Postings of Defence officers. |
C N Bradbury | Staff Officer | Policy. Statistics. Requirements of A & SD personnel for new establishments. |
DP 5 | ||
R W Hunt C A Moles C V Dier |
Staff Officer Higher Clerical Officer Higher Clerical Officer |
Selection of officers and airmen pilots for courses
of instruction. Arrangements for posting and attachment to courses. Disposal, in conjunction with DP 2, of officers and airmen from courses (except from Flying Training Schools). |
DP 6 | ||
A J Hockey C D Creedy C H Cork |
Staff Officer Higher Clerical Officer Higher Clerical Officer |
Questions affecting postings to and from units
abroad. Issue of posting instructions to officers on the active list, and to airmen pilots, on appointment to overseas commands. Empire Air Training Scheme. Maintenance of records of units overseas. Liaison with DGE on questions relating to trooping and passages for familiies. |
Duplicate Records Section | ||
R A Carroll | Higher Clerical Officer | Maintenance of duplicate records. |
Directorate of Personal Services (DPS)
Name | Status/Rank | Role/Duties |
D Colyer | Act A/Cdre | Director of Personal Services |
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Miss E M M Woodhams | Higher Clerical Officer | Personal Assistant |
A Fletcher | Gp Capt | Deputy Director (DDPS). Head of P 2. |
P 1 | ||
Harold J Collins
E H Hooper A A C Hyde C R AdlamH J Trotman |
Gp Capt Wg Cdr Sqn Ldr Staff Officer Higher Clerical Officer |
Discipline and Air Force Law. Liaison with JAG's Department. Courts-martial and summary trials, appeals, quashings, commutations and remissions. Courts of Inquiry procedure and policy. Discharges and removals for misconduct. Penal deductions and stoppages. Accident reports. Dress regulations. Funerals. RAF Central Band; voluntary band fund. Affiliation and maintenance questions. Debts of serving personnel. |
P 2 (a) | ||
G R Oliver | Wg Cdr | Personal questions
affecting officers, other than questions of discipline of postings. Liaison with S5 in appointment of ex-RAF officers to civilian posts in Service units. |
P 2 (b) | ||
A C Menzies | Sqn Ldr | Administration of selection boards, including Joint University Boards; personal questions in connection with University Squadrons, co-ordination of Air Defence Cadet Corps matters. |
P 2 (c) | ||
R de W K Winlaw J F Burnett |
Flt ?Lt Flt Lt |
Public Schools liaison; recruiting policy in Air
Training Section at Public Schools. Arrangements of visits to and lectures at Public Schools. |
P 3 | ||
W B Hargrave | Gp Capt | Head of Branch |
W R Castings S R Stammers P A R Juden H Plowman-Brown |
Sqn Ldr Sqn Ldr Flt Lt Higher Clerical Officer |
Questions dealing with conditions of service of
airmen. Individual questions affecting airmen (including all classes of reserve) and apprentices and apprentice clerks in conjunction with DES. Promotions, remustering and reclassification; transfer to Reserve and discharge. Married establishment questions. Re-engagement, extensions and continuance in the Service. Good conduct badges. Nationality questions affecting airmen and airwomen. Compassionate postings. Commissioning of airmen in conjunction with S 7. Liaison with Dominion officers regarding Dominion, etc airmen; liaison with DWAAF regarding individual questions of airwomen |
J Lawson G C Trumble |
Sqn Ldr Higher Clerical Officer |
Consideration of all claims relating to the release or screening of individual employees who are members of Auxiliary Air Force or of the RAF Reserve. |
P 4 | ||
R Burges | Hon Wg Cdr | Head of Branch. Casualty policy. Member of Inter-Departmental Prisoners of War Committee. |
P 4 (Cas) | ||
J H McN Campbell R H Walsh |
Sqn Ldr Flt Lt |
Interviewing of relatives. Special investigations, questions of identity, etc. |
P 4 (Cas) A | ||
H C Flower R A Morsman S R McCartney R S Keene Vacant |
Staff Officer Higher Clerical Officer Higher Clerical Officer Higher Clerical Officer Higher Clerical Officer |
General administrative questions, War Manual casualty procedure. Receipt of casualty signals and notification of next-of-kin. Dominion, Colonial and Foreign casualty procedure. Notification to Bankers and RAF Benevolent Fund. Co-ordination of work with Dominion Liaison Officers. Liaison with Admiralty and War Office Casualty Branches and with the Directorate of Graves Registration and Enquiries. Questions concerning Ministry of Health Emergency Medical Services Scheme for Civil hospitals and receipt of EMS Forms concerning personnel admitted to civil hospitals. Procedure regarding service and private funerals. Questions regarding disposal of RAF and enemy dead. Questions concerning the attendance of relatives at funerals and hospitals. Casualty Branch questions. |
P 4 (Cas) B | ||
Miss C G Gatley J A Farthy Miss W M Shepherd |
Staff Officer Higher Clerical Officer Higher Clerical Officer |
Receipt, examination and circulation of written
accident reports, Form 551, Form 765(c) and Forms 2 and 412 (Courts
of Inquiry proceedings). Questions of commendation arising out of accidents. Regulational questions regarding accidents. Questions regarding remission of death duties. RAF Cemeteries Scheme. Issue of death certificates. Register of Deaths. Burial reports. Casualty records and enquiries. Daily Casualty Circulation List and Daily Casualty Summary. Press communiqués. Royal Message of Sympathy to next-of-kin. Civilian air raid casualties concerning RAF personnel. |
P 4 (P of W) | ||
Vacant | Higher Clerical Officer | Collection of information regarding identification
of Prisoners of War. Co-ordination of Prisoner of war information and liaison with War Office Prisoners of War Directorate, Prisoners of War Information Bureau, and British Red Cross Prisoners of War and Missing Departments, and with Dominion Red Cross Societies. |
P 4 (Kits) | ||
W J Pearson | Higher Clerical Officer | Disposal of effects of personnel admitted to
hospital, prisoners of war or missing. Supply of service clothing to prisoners of war. Liaison with British Red Cross. Prisoners Parcel Department. Liaison with Accts 13 (Effects) regarding enquiries received concerning the disposal of the effects of deceased personnel. |
P 5 | ||
F C Halahan | Gp Capt | Head of Branch. Deputy Chairman of RAF Comforts Committee. Air Ministry representative on Joint Services Welfare Committee. |
A G Fisher | Sqn Ldr | General welfare and entertainment. Employment of discharged airmen. Hardship cases. Questions concerning RAF Benevolent Fund, National Association , Sailors', Soldiers and Airmen's Families Association, Patriotic Fund, Joint Services Officers' Association and similar social and benevolent societies. |
W S Dailey | Wg Cdr | Morale and physical fitness of all RAF Personnel. |
J Healy | Special Appointment | RAF Comforts Committee. |
P 6 | ||
C G Goatcher
G F Caines |
Wg Cdr Sqn Ldr Fg Off |
Questions regarding pay and allowances of officers, airmen and WAAF personnel; financial appeals and recoveries. |
Provost Marshal | ||
F G Stammers | Gp Capt | Provost Marshal |
PM 1 | ||
W R John T A Tolhurst W G Perkins T C Yule |
Wg Cdr Sqn Ldr Sqn Ldr Flt Lt |
Record and observation of personnel engaged on
subversive activities; investigations of application for entry into
the RAF, alien and dual nationality cases; investigation of
espionage, sabotage, etc, security measure regarding information;
secret documents and material. General instructions on security and education on security matters. |
PM 2 | ||
J E Hume W E Duckenfield W J C Tonge E T Dangerfield |
Wg Cdr Sqn Ldr Flt Lt Fg Off |
Training of Service and security police. Discipline outside station bounds. General supervision and advice to Station Commanders on Police organisation. Co-operation with Civil Police. Records of all suspects; prevention and investigation of theft of public property. Police Establishment. Supervision of warders. |
PM 3 | ||
F E Hixon W K Rivers J E Horwell |
Flt Lt Flt Lt Flt Lt |
Special investigation, records and reports on cases investigated. |
Permits Office | ||
E S Chapman S A Heskett C B Archer |
Staff Officer Higher Clerical Officer Higher Clerical Officer |
Control and issue of permits authorising entry into
RAF protected places. Identity Pass and Badge Scheme. Security questions affecting and visits to RAF Stations other than by Foreigners and Press. |
Camp Commandant | ||
F S Isaac | Flt Lt | Administration of Air Ministry Unit. |
Directorate of Educational Services (DES)
Name | Status/Rank | Role/Duties |
W M Page | Director of Educational Services | |
*Officer marked * hold commissions in the RAFVR. |
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ES 1 | ||
J A Taylor* C W B Watford |
Principal Education Officer Higher Clerical Officer |
Principal Education Officer acts for Director of
Educational Services in his absence. Inspection of educational work in Home Commands. Educational staff questions. General questions relating t the Educational Services. Estimates. Schools for airmen's children. |
ES 2 | ||
Vacant W G Sheppard* Vacant |
Education Officer Grade I Education Officer Grade II Education Officer Grade III |
Examinations and syllabi. Tutorial courses. Officers' courses. Educational bulletin. Conference of Command Education Officers. Educational accommodation and supplies. Libraries, apparatus, etc. |
ES 3 | ||
L Cullis* Vacant Vacant W A Dickins |
Education Officer Grade II Education Officer Grade III Education Officer Grade IIIHigher Clerical Officer |
Entry of aircraft apprentices and apprentice clerks in conjunction with
D of M and DPS. Liaison with local education authorities and schools. |
ES 4 | ||
Vacant | Special Appointment | Air Forces Officers ' Employment Association. |
Directorate of RAF Medical Services (DMS)
Name | Status/Rank | Role/Duties |
Sir Victor Richardson | AM | Director-General of RAF Medical Services (DGMS) |
A Grant | A/Cdre | Deputy Director-General of RAF Medical Services (DDGMS) Control of MA 1 |
H E Whittingham | Act AVM | Director of Hygiene (D of H) Control of MA 4 |
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MA 1 | ||
E C K H Foreman J C Blair F W Agar |
Wg Cdr Sqn Ldr Higher Clerical Officer |
Medical establishments and organisation. Entry of medical officers and quartermasters. Selections for permanent commissions. Promotion of medical officers and airmen. Confidential reports. Personal questions affecting medical officers and airmen. Questions affecting training, remustering, reclassification, promotion, extensions and re-engagements of airmen of the medical branch. Mobilisation and war appointments. Estimate questions relating to medical personnel. Civilian medical practitioners, new contracts and renewals. |
MA 2 | ||
D McLaren | Gp Capt | Head of Branch |
J Hutchieson | Wg Cdr | Medical care and treatment of non-effective officers
and cadets. Questions regarding all medical standards. Assessment of medical fitness of officers and cadets. Hospitals and sick quarters requirements, organisation. Accommodation and scales of equipment (other than rations and medical stores) for hospitals, sick quarters and other medical units. Hospital diets. Disability claims. Medical and appeal boards and scrutiny of reports of medical boards of officers and cadets. Claims of medical practitioners in respect of officers and cadets. |
H L Willcox | Sqn Ldr | Medical care and treatment of non-effective airmen. Assessment of medical fitness of education and meteorological officers, airmen, volunteer reservists and civilian employees. Disability claims, airmen. Claims of medical practitioners in respect of airmen. Scrutiny of reports of medical boards, airmen. |
MA 3 | ||
G S Strachan J Holt |
Sqn Ldr Flt Lt |
Medical
records and statistics. Preparation of annual health report. Medical reference libraries. Air Force medical publications and forms. Supply of medical stores, equipment and appliances. Preparation of annual estimates for medical stores. Provision of medical equipment for ambulances (air and ground). |
H D Courtenay R A V Maughan |
Staff Officer Higher Clerical Officer |
Questions relating to supply of and accounting for
medical stores. Supervision of clerical staff of directorate. Medical statistics and records. Preparation of reports. |
J S Lafferty | Higher Clerical Officer | Medical statistics and records. Preparation of statistical reports. |
MA 4 | ||
J MacC Kilpatrick | Wg Cdr | All questions regarding preservation of health and
prevention of disease. Sanitation, rations and water supplies. Questions regarding plans of new buildings, siting, etc. Notification of infectious and contagious diseases. All matters relating to the medical aspect of chemical warfare organisation and defence measures. Medical Research and Flying Personnel Research Committee work. |
MA 5 | ||
J Hutchieson | Wg Cdr | Medical matters relating to civil aviation. Medical examinations and standards of physical fitness of civil pilots. First aid equipment for government civil aerodromes. Medical aspects of Air Navigation Acts, orders and regulations regarding Civil Aviation. |
MA 6 | ||
L Somerville-Woodiwis | Gp Capt | Chief Dental Officer. All matters relating to the dental service. |
Name | Status/Rank | Role/Duties |
E M Blair | Matron-in-Chief | Organisation of Princess Mary's
RAF Nursing Service, including entry, retirement, pay, allowances,
leave, uniforms, etc. Establishments. Personnel regulations; selection boards for candidates; postings; promotions; personal records. Nursing arrangements; accommodation. Training of VAD members. |
M E R Edwards | Matron | |
F S Manning | Higher Clerical Officer |
Directorate of Manning (D of M)
Name | Status/Rank | Role/Duties |
J W Cordingley | Act A/Cdre | Director of Manning |
T F W Thompson | Act Gp Capt | Deputy Director of Manning 1 (DD of M 1) |
J H Green | Act Gp Capt | Deputy Director of Manning 2 (DD of M 2) |
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W Boddington | Senior Staff Officer | Control of M7 and general responsibility for civil staff of M4, M5 and M6. |
H P Grabaskey | Senior Staff Officer | Control of M1 and M2 and staff control of M2. |
M 1 | ||
A S Horsman C J Crombleholme W Green E M Nicholson |
Staff Officer Higher Clerical Officer Higher Clerical Officer Special Appointment |
Personnel statistics, officers and crews; estimates
and forecasts, entry programmes (except aviation candidates). Assessment of officer promotions, careers of regular officers. |
M 2 | ||
S S Burridge W F Shanks Vacant E S Hanson |
Staff Officer Higher Clerical Officer Higher Clerical Officer Special Appointment |
WAAF. Personnel statistics, airmen except crews, estimates and forecasts, entry and training programmes. Careers of regular airmen. |
Miss N Slater | Higher Clerical Officer | Requirements, officers, crews, tradesmen and WAAFs. |
M 3 | ||
A K Howard J J Gayer Vacant Vacant |
Staff Officer Higher Clerical Officer Higher Clerical Officer Higher Clerical Officer |
Crew training facilities (ground and flying)
including Dominion and other overseas training schemes. Requirements for flying training courses. Recruiting programmes (aviation candidates). |
M 4 | ||
S J Bailey F T Solis |
Wg Cdr Flt Lt |
Demobilisation. Manpower questions. Policy aspects of exemption of reservists. Effect of operation of Schedule of Reserved Occupations on RAF manpower. National Service (Armed Forces) Act. Co-ordination with Ministry of Labour and National Service. |
M 5 (a) | ||
V A Watkins P P Pryse |
Sqn Ldr Flt Lt |
Home recruiting policy RAF and WAAF. Recruiting co-ordination with other services; control of recruiting organisation; liaison with DPR on recruiting publicity. |
M 5 (b) | ||
J A C Wright P N Shone C T W Morgan |
Wg Cdr Sqn Ldr Flt Lt |
Overseas recruiting in RAF Commands, Colonies and Dependencies and communities in Foreign countries. |
M 6 | ||
C A B Wilcock G R Keep D L Jacques F Berridge |
Wg Cdr Sqn Ldr Flt Lt Flt Lt |
Questions affecting the distribution of airmen at
home and drafting overseas. Posting and drafting policy of airmen and WAAFs, other than those on personal grounds. Liaison with Record Office and Base Personnel Officers. |
M 7 | ||
A H Hibbert Miss D Osborn A C Skinner Miss B M Chaplin A E Milne |
Staff Officer Staff Officer Higher Clerical Officer Higher Clerical Officer Higher Clerical Officer |
Machinery of RAF recruitment under National Service;
liaison with Ministry of Labour on operation of National Service
Act; appeals for postponement of calling up: proposals for
amendments and waivers to Schedule of Reserved Occupations and List
of Service Trades. Departmental action arising from proceedings of Manpower Sub-Committees and Ministry of Labour discussions arising therefrom. War recruiting instructions (AM pamphlet 84) and preparation of instructions arising out of special RAF recruiting schemes. Enquiries affecting individuals under National Service registrations. National Service questions regarding Isle of Man and Channel Isles. |
Directorate of Women's Auxiliary Air Force (DWAAF)
Name | Status/Rank | Role/Duties |
K J Trefusis Forbes | Air Commandant | Director of Women's Auxiliary Air Force (DWAAF) |
C J Rowley | Flt Off | Personal Assistant |
S F Wynne-Eyton | Act Wg Off | Assistant Director |
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ADWAAF | ||
S F Wynne-Eyton M A J Hay |
Act Wg Off Flt Off |
WAAF officers' promotions, transfers,
complaints, confidential reports, selection boards, substitution. Liaison with WRNS and ATS. |
WAAF/14 | ||
J Mackay | Flt Off | Airwomen; discipline, promotions, postings,
transfers, remustering, substitution. discharges and complaints. WAAF Handbook. WAAF historical records. Monthly and quarterly WAAF reports. Dress and ceremonial. |
WAAF/15 | ||
E C Bather | Flt Off | Training; officers and airwomen. Recruiting liaison |
WAAF/16 | ||
Vacant | SO | Accommodation, clothing and equipment, messing, pay andallowances. |
WAAF/17 | ||
K Van Baarle | Sqn Off | Welfare; medical and hygiene questions. RAF Comforts Fund, Nuffield Fund, Benevolent Fund. WAAF Convalescent Home. WRAFOCA |
WAAF/PR | ||
K Bentley Beaumont | Flt Off | Press and publicity. Liaison with Dominions and all overseas enquiries. Broadcasts. Weekly News Letters. |
C A Turnnidge | Higher Clerical Officer | Questions affecting posting of WAAF officer
personnel and issue of posting instructions. Maintenance of posting records. Postings or attachments of WAAF officers for courses of instruction. Liaison with DP 2 (c) for promulgation of WAAF officer entries in Air Ministry Posting Lists. Selection of WAAF officers to fill Code and Cypher posts on Air Ministry and outstation establishments. |
L M Crowther | Sqn Off | Selection of WAAF officers to fill posts, other than Code and Cypher, on Air Ministry and outstation establishments. |
Source - List of Staff and Distribution of Duties (Part III),- AIR 20/7512
This page was last updated on 27/06/22