Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation

Air Marshal Sir Humphrey Edwardes-Jones (05132)

(John) Humphrey                   b: 15 Aug 1905                    r: 13 Mar 1961                d: 19 Jan 1987

KCB - 13 Jun 1957 (CB - 1 Jan 1954), CBE - 17 Sep 1943, DFC - 30 Jul 1940, AFC 1 Jan 1942, MiD - 14 Jun 1945, BA (Pembroke College, Cambridge), LoH, Cdr - xx May 1949, C de G (P) - xx xxx 194?.  

For a list of foreign decoration abbreviations, click here

Plt Off: 18 Sep 1925, Fg Off: 18 Jun 1927, Flt Lt: 30 Jun 1931, Sqn Ldr: 1 Apr 1937, (T) Wg Cdr: 1 Jun 1940, Act Gp Capt: xx Oct 1941, (T) Gp Capt: 1 Jun 1942, Wg Cdr: 20 Nov 1942 [1 Oct 1942], Act A/Cdre: 6 Jul 1944?, Gp Capt (WS): 6 Jan 1945, Gp Capt: 1 Oct 1946, A/Cdre: 1 Jan 1950, Act AVM: 1 Mar 1952, AVM: 1 Jan 1953, Act AM: 1 Jun 1957, AM: 1 Jul 1958.

18 Sep 1926:               U/T Pilot, No 5 FTS

22 Aug 1927:               Pilot, No 1 Sqn.

19 Dec 1928:               Flying Instructor, Station Flight, RAF Duxford.

 3 Apr 1929:                QFI, No 2 FTS.

29 Mar 1930:               QFI, No 4 FTS.

21 Jan 1932:                Flight Commander, No 208 Sqn.

3 Oct - 5 Dec 1933:    Placed on half pay list, scale B.

11 Mar 1935:              Posted to Home Establishment

xx xxx 1936:                Test pilot, Aeroplane & Armament Experimental Establishment.

 3 May 1937:               Officer Commanding, No 213 Sqn.

 9 Jun 1940:                 Officer Commanding, No 6 OTU

 1 Nov 1940:               Officer Commanding, No 56 OTU.

14-16 Apr 1941:         Attached to No 29 Sqn

xx xxx 1941:                Officer Commanding, No 60 OTU.

21 Sep 1941:               Officer Commanding, No 58 OTU.

30 Jan 1942:                Officer Commanding, Exeter Sector.

xx Nov 1942:               Officer Commanding, No 323 (Fighter) Wing/RAF Maison Blanche/Sector Commander - Algiers.

 1 Jun 1943:                 Group Captain - ?, HQ North-West African Coastal Air Force.

xx xxx 1943:                AOC, No 210 Group - Algiers.

 8 May 1945:               Deputy Director of Operations, HQ Mediterranean Allied Air Forces. 

xx Jan 1950:                 Attended Imperial Defence College.

15 Jan 1951:                 Director of Plans.  

 1 Jul 1951 - 6 Feb 1952:    Appointed ADC to The King

10 Jun 1952:                   Appointed ADC to The Queen  (effective from 6 Feb 1952)

 1  Mar 1952:               SASO, HQ 2nd Tactical Air Force

xx xxx 1955:                 Commandant, School of Land/Air Warfare.

 1 Jun 1957:                  C in C, 2nd TAF

 1 Jan 1959:                  C in C, RAF Germany/Commander, 2nd ATAF

 Having gained a BA degree at Pembroke College, Cambridge, John Edwardes-Jones entered the RAF in 1925/26?.  Whilst based at A & AEE at Martlesham Heath, he was involved in the early test flying of the Spitfire.  In 1984 he was the President of the Naval 8/208 Sqn Association.

Citation for the award of Distinguished Flying Cross

"EDWARDES-JONES, John Humphrey, W/C (05132, Royal Air Force) - No.213 Squadron

This officer has commanded No.213 Squadron from 3 May 1937 until 9 June 1940. He is, himself, an outstanding pilot, and the high efficiency of his Squadron has been due to his example and leadership. Earlier on he took part in many of the sea patrols over convoys, and has consistently led his Squadron in night operations. During the period of his command the Squadron has brought down 23 confirmed and 14 unconfirmed enemy aircraft, and I attribute the excellent results produced as being due to the manner in which he trained the Squadron in peace, and led it in war. I might add that he continued to lead the Squadron after being promoted to Wing Commander, and when his relief actually arrived."

(Source - website of Dix-Noonan-Webb (medal dealers)

Announcement for the award of the Air Force Cross

"EDWARDES-JONES, John Humphrey, W/C, DFC (05132, Royal Air Force) - No.60 Operational Training Unit.

Since December 1940, Wing Commander Edwardes-Jones has performed invaluable service at Nos 56 and 60 Operational Training Units in the capacity of wing commander in charge of flying. He has always set a very high standard in flying training and has insisted on others following his example. Wing Commander Edwardes-Jones is an exceptionally capable pilot both by day and night."

(Source - London Gazette: 1 January 1942)

Announcement for the award of Commander of the Order of the British Empire

"EDWARDES-JONES, John Humphrey, G/C, DFC, AFC (05132, Royal Air Force)

In recognition of distinguished services rendered in the Mediterranean Air Command during the period 1 February to 12 May 1943."

(Source - London Gazette: 17 September 1943)

This page was last updated on 11/08/23

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