Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation
Ivor Thomas b: 2 Mar 1896 r: 31 Jul 1939/29 Mar 1946 d: 28 Oct 1966
CB - 1 Jan 1945, CBE - 8 Jun 1939, MiD - 1 Jan 1941, MiD - 17 Mar 1941, MiD - 2 Jun 1943, MiD - 14 Jan 1944, SA4 - 25 Aug 1915.
(Army):- 2 Lt: 11 Nov 1914, Lt: 28 Apr 1915, (T) Capt: 1 Jul 1916, (T) Maj: 6 Jul 1917.
(RAF):- (T) Maj [Capt]: 1 Apr 1918, Flt Lt: 1 Aug 1919 [1 Apr 1918], Sqn Ldr: 1 Jan 1922 [1 Apr 1918], Wg Cdr: 1 Jul 1929, Gp Capt: 1 Jul 1935, Act A/Cdre: xx xxx 1942?, A/Cdre: Retained.
xx xxx xxxx: Attended RMC Sandhurst.
11 Nov 1914: Officer, South Wales Borderers.
xx Nov 1914: Seconded to No 2 Sqn, 1st Wing, RFC.
20 Apr 1916: Flying Officer, RFC.
1 Jul 1916: Flight Commander, No 11 Reserve Sqn RFC.
8 Feb 1917: Flight Commander, No 98 Depot Sqn, RFC
27 Jun 1917: Flight Commander, No 198 Training Sqn, RFC
16 Jul 1917: Officer Commanding, No 199 Training Sqn, RFC
10 Feb 1918: Officer Commanding, No 148 Sqn RFC/RAF.
7 Jul 1919: Officer Commanding, No 58 Sqn.
1 Feb 1920: Flight Commander, No 70 Sqn.
8 Jan 1921: Attended School of Naval Co-operation (obtained 2nd Class Certificate).
2 Jan 1922: Instructor, No 2 FTS.
25 Nov 1922: Officer Commanding, No 56 Sqn.
1 Oct 1923: Officer Commanding, 'B' Sqn, RAF College.
7 Feb 1927: Officer Commanding, No 480 (Flying Boat) Flight
1 Jan 1929: Officer Commanding, No 201 Sqn.
21 Jan 1929: Attended RAF Staff College.
17 Jan 1930: Chief Staff Officer?, HQ RAF Mediterranean.
9 Dec 1931: Supernumerary, RAF Depot.
22 Feb 1932: Staff, Directorate of Training.
7 Feb 1934: Officer Commanding, RAF Mount Batten.
4 Nov 1936: Officer Commanding, RAF Pembroke Dock.
1 Jan 1937: Officer Commanding (Temporary), No 16 (Reconnaissance) Group.
15 Feb 1937: Officer Commanding, RAF Pembroke Dock.
23 Sep 1937: Officer Commanding, No 1 (General Reconnaissance) Wing (HMS Cyclops, Malta)
17 Aug 1938: AOC (Temporary), No 16 (Reconnaissance) Group.
29 Aug 1938: ?
29 Sep 1938: SASO, No 18 (General Reconnaissance) Group.
31 Jul 1939: Placed on Retired List at own request
27 Aug 1939: Recalled for service.
27 Aug 1939: Planning Staff, HQ Coastal Command.
xx xxx 1941: Deputy SASO, HQ Coastal Command.
12 Jul 1942: Deputy Administrative Staff Officer, HQ Coastal Command.
xx xxx 1942: AOC, No 16 (General Reconnaissance) Group.
xx xxx xxxx: Assistant AOA, HQ Coastal Command
29 Mar 1946: Reverted to Retired List
Although originally an army officer, most of his career was to be spent in the maritime field, having gained his RAeC Certificate (No 1378) on 1 July 1915. Qualifying as an Air Navigation Officer in 1922 he became an instructor at No 2 FTS and later the RAF College which was interspersed with command of No 56 Squadron. He reformed the squadron, equipped with Sopwith Snipes, at Hawkinge in November 1922 following its disbandment in Egypt the previous September.
Retiring in July 1939, he had barely time to enjoy his retirement, before he was recalled to service on 27 Aug 1939. Returning to Coastal Command, he spent the remainder of the war in this command before reverting to the retired list on 29 Mar 1946. He was the brother of AVM K B Lloyd.
Citation for the award of Companion of the Order of the Bath
"LLOYD, Ivor Thomas, A/C, CBE (number ?, Royal Air Force) - Coastal Command Headquarters
"This officer is the Deputy Air Officer-in-Charge of Administration. He was largely responsible, during the planning stage of the Normandy operations, for controlling the aircraft and manning situation in operational squadrons. He organized aircraft pools, worked out requirements for operational aircraft and supervised the Command manning arrangements and preparations for the assault with complete success. Air Commodore Lloyd had a major share in the original organization for planned flying and planned maintenance in Coastal Command. His energy, knowledge and experience have contributed much to the war effort of Coastal Command during the past two years."
(Source - Air 2/9017)
This page was last updated on 30/01/23
H P Lloyd