Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation

Air Vice-Marshal Sir Leslie Bates (11068)

Leslie John Vernon       b: 27 Sep 1896                     r: 2 Oct 1955                           d: 18 Nov 1966

KBE – 2 Jan 1956 (CBE – 1 Jan 1948), CB – xx xxx xxxx, MiD – 1 Jan 1941, MiD – 14 Jan 1944, LoM (Off) – 9 Oct 1945,

For a list of foreign decoration abbreviations, click here 

(RNAS): - LAM: 27 May 1918, PFO: 17 Feb 1918,

(RAF): - (T) 2 Lt: 25 Aug 1918, Fg Off: 12 Aug 1920, Flt Lt: 1 Jan 1931, Sqn Ldr: 1 Feb 1937, Wg Cdr: 1 Jul 1939, (T) Gp Capt: 1 Sep 1941, Act A/Cdre: 11 Aug 1944, Gp Capt (WS): 11 Feb 1945 (T) A/Cdre: 1 Jan 1946, Gp Capt: 1 Jan 1946, Act AVM: 18 May 1949, AVM: 1 Jan 1951.

27 May 1915:                 Air Mechanic, Chingford Naval Air Station

17 Feb 1918:                  U/T Pilot, RNAS

25 Aug 1918:               Appointed to a Commission in the Aeroplane Branch.

11 Oct 1919:                Transferred to the Unemployed List.

12 Aug 1920:               Appointed to a Short Service Commission in the rank of Flying Officer in the Aeroplane Branch. (wef 12 Aug 1920)

12 Aug 1920:               U/T, School of Army Co-operation.

15 Jul 1921:                 Pilot, No 100 Sqn.

 2 May 1923:               Transferred to the Stores Branch.

15 Aug 1923:               Stores Staff Officer, HQ Inland Area.

xx xxx xxxx:                  Supernumerary?

22 Sep 1925:               Stores Officer, No 30 Sqn.

xx xxx xxxx:                  Supernumerary?

 3 Feb 1929:                Stores Staff Officer, HQ Air Defences of Great Britain.

10 Dec 1931:               Staff Officer, Deputy Directorate of Equipment.

23 Jan 1933:                Attended RAF Staff College.

xx xxx xxxx:                  Supernumerary?

10 Jan 1934:                Stores Staff Officer, HQ British Forces in Iraq.

xx xxx xxxx:                  Supernumerary?

 3 Mar 1936:                Staff Officer, Deputy Directorate of Equipment (Aircraft)

13 Jun 1936:                Staff Officer, Deputy Directorate of Equipment (Supply)

 2 May 1938:               Wing Commander - Organisation, HQ Maintenance Command.

14 Mar 1943:               Senior Equipment Staff Officer, HQ Mediterranean Air Command

 1 Jan 1944:                 Deputy Commander, Mediterranean Air Transport Service

25 Jul 1944:                 Director of Equipment (D), Air Ministry;

18 May 1949:              AOC, No  40 Group.

 1 Sep 1952:                Director General of Equipment, Air Ministry

This page was last updated on 01/09/19

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