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Air Vice-Marshal C T Weir (33075)


Cecil Thomas 'Ginger'              b: 2 Apr 1913                                                         d: 5 Aug 1965

CB – 9 Feb 1960, CBE - 1 Jan 1958, DFC – 3 Apr 1945 [20 Nov 1944], KCVSA – 9 Jun 1949, MiD - 24 Sep 1941, MiD - 11 Jun 1942.

Plt Off: 15 Jul 1933, Fg Off: 15 Jan 1935, Flt Lt: 15 Jan 1937, Sqn Ldr: 1 Jun 1939, (T) Wg Cdr: 1 Jun 1941, Act Gp Capt: 7 Jul 1944?, Wg Cdr (WS): 7 Jan 1945, Wg Cdr: 1 Oct 1946, Gp Capt: 1 Jan 1951, A/Cdre: 1 Jan 1957, AVM: 1 Jul 1959.

 4 Sep 1931:           Flight Cadet, 'A' Sqn, RAF College.

15 Jul 1933:            Appointed to a Permanent Commission

15 Jul 1933:            Pilot, No 25 Sqn.

 8 Oct 1934:           Pilot, No 824 Sqn FAA. (China Station)

 5 May 1937:          Supernumerary, RAF Gosport.

28 Aug 1938:          Attended Armament Officers Course, Air Armament School.

xx xxx xxxx:             Instructor, No 4 Bombing and Gunnery School, West Freugh

 8 Mar 1940:           Instructor, No 2 Air Armament School

xx xxx 1940:            Armament Officer, No 44 Sqn

xx xxx xxxx:             Armament Officer, No 14 OTU/RAF Cottesmore

28 Feb 1941:          Armament Staff Officer, HQ No 6 (Bomber) Group

xx Sep 1941:           Officer Commanding, No 61 Sqn.

xx Jun 1942:            Instructional Duties, UK

xx xxx xxxx:             Instructional Duties, Canada/USA

 7 Jul 1944:             Officer Commanding, RAF Fiskerton.

10 Oct 1944:          Officer Commanding, RAF Fulbeck.

22 Nov 1944:          Prisoner of War. (Stalag Luft I)

xx xxx xxxx:            Attended RAF Staff College?

xx xxx 1947:            Wing Commander – Flying, Empire Air Armament School.

3 Dec 1949:            SOA, AHQ Malta.

23 Jun 1952:            Deputy Director of Operational Requirements (A).

xx xxx 1955:            Officer Commanding, Central Gunnery School (Leconfield)

xx Jul 1956:             Task Force Commander, Operation Buffalo.

xx xxx xxxx:             Attended Joint Services Staff College.

12 May 1958:          SASO, HQ Middle East Air Force.

23 Apr 1959:           Deputy C in C, Middle East Air Force.

15 May 1961:          Commandant, School of Land/Air Warfare.

xx Apr 1963:            Commandant, Joint Warfare Establishment.

30 Oct 1964:           Member, NATO Standing Group/Commander, British Joint Services Mission, Washington.

A Canadian. He represented the RAF College at Squash, Rowing and Rugby and attained the rank of Flight Cadet Corporal.  He was the only survivor when his Lancaster was hit by the bombs of another aircraft whilst carrying out a raid on the Osnabruck Canal.  Taken into captivity he acted as SBO at Stalag Luft I for a period in 1944.

In 1956 he was involved in discussions about Operation Buffalo, British Atomic Tests at Maralinga in South Australia, later becoming the Task Force Commander.

Joint Warfare Establishment formed by amalgamating School of Land/Air Warfare with the Amphibious Warfare School.  He was it's first Commandant.  Died in service.

Citation for the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross

WEIR, Cecil Thomas, Act Gp Capt, Royal Air Force - No.56 Base,

Group Captain Weir has successfully completed operational missions against such heavily defended targets as Brunswick, Stuttgart and Munchen-Gladbach.  On one occasion a fire broke out in his aircraft which, but for his excellent captaincy, might have had serious consequences.  Although certain equipment was rendered unserviceable he continued to the target and completed his mission.  Group Captain Weir is an outstanding Commander.  He has always shown exceptional keenness for operational flying.  Both on the ground and in the air he has set his squadrons the finest example of enthusiasm, determination and cheerful courage.

(Source - Air Ministry Bulletin 18150)

This page was last updated on 26/02/24

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