Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation

Air Vice Marshal L T Pankhurst (19165)

Leonard Thomas                        b: 26 Aug 1902               r: 18 Apr 1957        d:  1 Dec 1996

CB - 1 Jan 1955, CBE - 1 Jan 1944, MiD - 14 Jun 1945, LoM (O) - 11 Apr 1944.

For a list of foreign decoration abbreviations, click here

Plt Off (P): 14 Mar 1925, Plt Off: 14 Oct 1925?, Fg Off: 14 Oct 1926, Flt Lt: 14 May 1930, Sqn Ldr: 1 Dec 1936, (T) Wg Cdr: 1 Jan 1940, (T) Gp Capt: 1 Dec 1941, Wg Cdr: 14 Apr 1942 [1 Jan 1940], Act A/Cdre: 1 Jan 1944?, Gp Capt (WS): 1 Jul 1944, (T) A/Cdre: 1 Jan 1946, Gp Capt: 1 Jan 1946, A/Cdre: 1 Jul 1947, Act AVM: 5 Apr 1954, AVM: Retained.

14 Mar 1925:           Appointed to a Short Service Commission

14 Mar 1925:           U/T Pilot,  No 5 FTS.

 1 Apr 1926:            Pilot, No 5 Sqn.

 1 Sep 1929:            Appointed to Permanent Commission in the RAF in the rank of Flying Officer. 

8 Aug 1928:            Aircraft Engineering Course, Home Aircraft Depot.

 5 Aug 1930:            Engineering Officer, HQ No 1 Air Defence Group.

10 Mar 1933:           Supernumerary - non effective (sick), RAF Depot.

22 Aug 1933:           Staff, RAF Upavon

10 May 1934:          Staff, RAF Kenley

21 Aug 1935:           Pilot, No 825 Sqn FAA.

xx xxx xxxx:             Supernumerary, RAF Depot.

31 May 1937:          Maintenance Liaison Officer, HQ No 12 (Fighter) Group.

28 Sep - 15 Oct 1937    Attended Short Instrument Flying Course, Central Flying School

24 Jan 1938:            Attended RAF Staff College.

31 Dec 1938:           Staff, Deputy Directorate of War Organisation.

xx xxx 1940:            Staff Officer, WO 4, Directorate of War Organisation.

xx xxx 1941:            Served in Coastal Command.

 9 Sep 1942:            Air Staff, HQ Coastal Command.

xx xxx 1942:            Served in the Middle East

 1 Mar 1943:           Air Staff, HQ North-West African Air Forces.

 1 Feb 1944:            Air Staff, HQ Mediterranean Allied Air Forces.

xx xxx 1945:            AOC, No 44 Group.

xx xxx 1946:            Assistant Commandant, RAF Staff College.

xx Jan 1947:            Attended Imperial Defence College.

29 Dec 1947:           Director of Command and Staff Training.

19 Apr 1950:           AOC, RAF East Africa.

31 Jan 1953:            Director of Personnel (II) (Postings)?

This page was last updated on 05/01/24

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