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Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation
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Wallace Hart b: 22 Jan 1910 r: 9 Nov 1968 d: 31 Jan 1988
GCB
1 Jan 1966 (KCB - 1 Jan 1960, CB 1 Jan 1953), KCVO
5 Aug 1977 [26 Mar 1977], CBE - 1 Jan 1946, DSO 26 Oct 1945, DFC
2 May 1941, KStJ - 26 Feb
1976, ADC, MiD
- 11 Jun 1942, MiD - 14 Jan 1944, MiD 1 Jan 1945, MiD
4 Jun 1945, Hon DTech (Western Australia Inst of Tech) - 1979, Hon
LL.D (University of Western Australia) - 1980.
Plt Off:12 Dec
1929, Fg Off: 14 Jun 1931, Flt
Lt: 14 Jun 1935, Sqn Ldr: 1 Jul
1938, (T) Wg Cdr: 1 Dec 1940, (T) Gp Capt:
1 Jul 1943, Wg Cdr: 1 Oct
1946, Gp Capt: 1 Jul 1947, A/Cdre:
1 Jul 1952, Act AVM: 14 Jan 1955,
AVM: 1 Jul 1955, Act AM: 20 Sep 1959,
AM: 1 Jan 1961, ACM: 1 Jan 1964.
12 Jan 1928: Flight Cadet, 'B' Sqn, RAF College.
14 Dec 1929: Appointed to a Permanent Commission
14 Dec 1929: Pilot, No 17 Sqn.
2 Jul 1931: Pilot, No 442 (Fleet Spotter Recce) Flight FAA.
12 Aug 1932: Supernumerary, RAF Depot.
2 May 1933: Pilot, No 820 Sqn FAA
23 Jul - 20 Oct 1934: Attended Flying Instructor's Course, Central Flying School (graded A2)
22 Oct 1934: QFI, RAF College Cranwell
3 Apr 1936: Exchange posting, RAAF
25 Jun 1938: Squadron Commander, No 3 Flying Training School - RAF South Cerney.
17 Jul 1939: Air Staff, HQ Training Command
27 May 1940: Air Staff, HQ Flying Training Command.
12 Oct 1940: Attended Blenheim Course, No 13 OTU
1 Dec 1940: Officer Commanding, No 139 Sqn.
24 Apr 1941: Chief Instructor, No 13 OTU
19 Jul 1941: Officer Commanding No 13 OTU/RAF Bicester
10 Jul 1942: Officer Commanding, RAF Horsham St Faith.
xx xxx 1942: Officer Commanding, RAF Marham.
7 Mar 1944: Officer Commanding, RAF Downham Market.
9 Oct 1944: Air Staff, HQ Bomber Command.
xx xxx 1945: Directing Staff, RAF Staff College.
16 Oct 1948: Air Staff - Air Plans, HQ RAF Mediterranean & Middle East/MEAF.
26
Apr 1949: Appointed
ADC to the King.
10 Jun 1952 31 Jul 1956: ADC to The Queen. (effective from 6 Feb 1952)
xx
xxx 1951:
Assistant Commandant, RAF College - Cranwell.
30 Jun 1952: Director of Operational Requirements (A).
14 Jan 1955: AOC, Air HQ - Malaya.
1 Sep 1957: Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Operational Requirements).
29 Sep 1959: AOC in C, Technical Training Command.
2 Mar 1962: Vice Chief of the Air Staff
19 Feb 1965: AOC in C, Bomber Command
12 Aug 1966 - 9 Nov 1968: Air ADC to The Queen
30 Apr 1968: AOC in C, Strike Command.
Born in Western Australia where he received his early education at Guildford School before entering the RAF College at Cranwell, which he represented at Cricket, Squash and Tennis and where he attained the rank of Flight Cadet Corporal.
From 1975 to 1980 he was the Governor of Western Australia. In 1995, his widow renamed the South Wing of the RAF Benevolent Fund's Princess Marina House in Sussex, the 'Kyle Wing' in Sir Wallace's honour. Sir Wallace had been the first chairman of the home.
Citation for the award of the Distinguished Service Order.
KYLE, Wallace Hart, G/C, DFC (26141, Royal Air Force)
Since commencing his operational career in November 1940, this officer has proved to be a most capable and determined pilot and an inspiring leader of formation operations in daylight. On one occasion he completed a long weather reconnaissance and then made a most successful bombing attack on the seaplane base on the island of Sylt. Since the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross in 1941, Group Captain Kyle assumed command of a Station which was operating the first Mosquito bomber squadron and was in the process of forming and training a second squadron of these aircraft. This officer's meticulous attention to detail, brilliant leadership in the air and inspiring example have been reflected in the outstanding successes achieved by the two squadrons under his command."
(Source:
Air Ministry Bulletin)
Wing
Commander Wallace Hart KYLE (26141), No.139 Squadron.
In
April, 1941, this officer led an attack against Ijmuiden Iron and Steel Works.
In spite of intense anti-aircraft fire and interference from a patrol of
Messerschmitt l09's, he dropped his bombs on the target from a height of 50
feet. The enemy fighters followed
Wing Commander Kyle out to sea, but, by his skilful flying, he forced them to
break off the attack. The operation
was an outstanding success. He has
now completed a number of successful operational missions and his resolute
determination and leadership have been largely responsible for the high standard
of efficiency in his squadron.
Citation for the award of Commander of the Order of the British Empire.
"KYLE, Wallace Hart, G/C, DFC (26141, Royal Air Force) - RAF Station Downham Market
This officer has been in command of the station since May 1943 (?). Many of the buildings were at first not of the normal Bomber Command standard and it was largely owing to Group Captain Kyle's drive and organizing ability that the station was brought to a high pitch of cleanliness and efficiency. He has taken the greatest interest in the operations of the squadrons on the station and has made a point of being available on take off and return, in addition to carrying out his normal duties of station commander. Group Captain Kyle has shown outstanding initiative and organizing ability."
(Source: Air 2/9121)
This page was last updated on 31/01/23©
C
P H Kunkler
