Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation

Air Commodore H G Bowen

(Horace) George           b:  3 May 1895                  r: 1 Feb 1944                        d: 1 Nov 1971

MBE - 1 Jan 1923.

(Army): - (T) 2 Lt: 22 Apr 1915, (T) Lt: 1 Oct 1916, (T) Capt: 8 Apr 1917.

(RAF): - (T) Capt: 1 Apr 1918, Flt Lt: 1 Aug 1919 [1 Apr 1918], Sqn Ldr: 1 Jan 1928, Wg Cdr: 1 Jan 1935, Gp Capt: 1 Nov 1938, (T) A/Cdre: 1 Dec 1940, A/Cdre: Retained.

22 Apr 1915:             Officer, 5th Battalion, The Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry.

23 May 1916:              U/T Pilot, No ? Training Sqn

 7 Jul 1916:                  Flying Officer, RFC.

 8 Jul 1916:                  Attached, No 1 AD

 9 Jul 1916:                  Pilot, No 7 Sqn RFC

15 Sep 1916:               Pilot (attached), No 19 Sqn RFC

 6 Nov 1916:               Posted to HQ RFC

19 Nov 1916:              Pilot, No 7 Sqn RFC

12 Apr 1917:               'A' Flight Commander, No 7 Sqn RFC.

 8 Jul 1917:                  Posted to HQ 5 Brigade

14 Sep 1917:               Officer Commanding, No 105 Sqn

10 Oct 1917:               Flight Commander, No 100 RFC. (FE2b – Western Front)

19 May 1918:              Flight Commander?, Castlebar Flight, No 11 (Irish) Group. (Bristol F2B - Castlebar, Ireland)

24 Oct 1919:               Awarded Short Service Commission in the rank of Flight Lieutenant (Aeroplane).

1920                            Flight Commander, No 2 Sqn. (Bristol F2B – Ireland)  

12 Nov 1920:              Flight Commander, 'D' Special Flight, No 100 Sqn. (ex - Castlebar Flight)

17 Feb 1922:               Supernumerary, RAF Depot.

13 Mar 1922:               Attended Instructor's Course, Central Flying School.  

18 Mar - 17 Apr 1922:              Placed on Half Pay List. (awaiting embarkation overseas)

17 Apr 1922:               Supernumerary, RAF Depot.

21 Apr 1922:               Awaiting disposal, HQ RAF Iraq.

 3 Nov 1922:               Officer, No 3 Armoured Car Company.

18 Oct 1924:               Supernumerary, RAF Depot.

25 Jul 1925:                 Supernumerary, HQ Special Reserve and Auxiliary Air Force (pending formation of No 601 Sqn.

14 Oct 1925:               Adjutant/Instructor?, No 601 (County of London) Sqn AuxAF. (DH9A - Northolt)

 1 Feb 1928:                Flight Commander, No 502 (Ulster) Sqn Aux AF. (Vimy, Hyderabad – Aldergrove)

31 Dec 1928:               Air Staff, HQ ADGB.

25 Nov 1930:               Supernumerary, RAF Depot.

 7 Aug 1931:                Staff, RAF Depot.

xx Oct 1931:                 Supernumerary, RAF Netheravon (pending formation of No 57 Sqn)

20 Oct 1931:                Officer Commanding, No 57 Sqn. (Hart - Netheravon/Upper Heyford)

28 Feb 1933:                Air Staff (Intelligence), HQ RAF Middle East.

 1 Jan 1935:                  Senior Personnel Staff Officer, HQ RAF Middle East.

11 May 1938:               Supernumerary, RAF Depot.

20 Aug 1938:                Inspector of Elementary and Reserve Flying Training, HQ No 26 (Training) Group.

 1 Feb 1939:                Officer Commanding, No 50 Group.

As the first adjutant of No 601 Sqn, he was responsible for the establishment of the unit.  

This page was last updated on 16/03/25^©

R G Bowditch                                           [Top of Page]                                 J B Bowen