Cranwell Graduations 1922

Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation

Cranwell Graduations 1922

The following cadets graduated from the RAF College at Cranwell on 16 August 1922. The reviewing officers at the graduation parade was Captain the Rt Hon F E Guest CBE, DSO, MP (Secretary of State for Air and Air Chief Marshal Sir Hugh Trenchard KCB, DSO, ADC (Chief of the Air Staff)

Personal details	College details	RAF Details	Comments
Leonard Kelly BARNES (16043)	He entered the RAF College in 1920, was a member of B Sqn and attained the rank of Flt Cdt Sgt. He also represented the college in Rugby and Shooting. On graduating he was awarded the Abdy Gerrard Fellows Memorial Prize.	He was commissioned on 16 Aug 1922 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 29 Sep 1922. He died in service on 14 Dec 1948 in the rank of A/Cdre.
Victor Bruce BENNETT (16044) DFC	He entered the RAF College in 1920, was a member of B Sqn and attained the rank of Flt Cdt Cpl. He also represented the college in Fencing and Soccer.	He was commissioned on 16 Aug 1922 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 29 Sep 1922. He retired on 22 Oct 1947 in the rank of A/Cdre.	He was a graduate of the RAF Staff College.
David Lindsay Gordon BETT (16045)	He entered the RAF College in 1920, was a member of B Sqn and attained the rank of Flt Cdt Sgt.	He was commissioned on 16 Aug 1922 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 29 Sep 1922. He died in service on 17 Jan 1933 in the rank of Flt Lt.	He was serving at RAF Cranwell and died in the RAF Hospital at Halton
James Ernest Stewart CAITHNESS (16046)	He entered the RAF College in 1920, was a member of A Sqn. He also represented the college in Fencing.	He was commissioned on 16 Aug 1922 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 29 Sep 1922. He resigned his permanent commission on 2 May 1923 in the rank of Plt Off.
John Sills CHARLTON (16047)	He entered the RAF College in 1920, was a member of B Sqn. He also represented the college in Fencing.	He was commissioned on 16 Aug 1922 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 29 Sep 1922. He resigned his permanent commission on 24 Oct 1923 in the rank of Plt Off. However he re enlisted in the RAFVR on 18 Sep 1939, until leaving on 1 Apr 1942 in the rank of Sqn Ldr.
Sylvanus George CONNOLLY (16048)	He entered the RAF College in 1920, was a member of B Sqn. He also represented the college in Athletics and Fencing.	He was commissioned on 16 Aug 1922 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 29 Sep 1922. He was killed in a flying accident on 27 Jan 1936 in the rank of Flt Lt.	He was killed whilst flying Fairey IIIF, K1776 when it spun into the ground near Gebbit as it came out of cloud. The other two members of the crew, Flt Lt PV Edwards and LAC F Campling were also killed. He is buried in Khartoum War Cemetery.
Edward Bernard COVENTRY (16049)	He entered the RAF College in 1920, was a member of A Sqn and attained the rank of Flt Cdt Cpl. He also represented the college in Cricket, Hockey and Rugby.	He was commissioned on 16 Aug 1922 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 29 Sep 1922. He was killed in a flying accident on 29 Sep 1923 in the rank of Plt Off.	He was killed whilst flying DH9A, E8695 of No 39 Sqn which crashed and burnt out
Sir Walter Lloyd DAWSON (16050) KCB, CBE, DSO	He entered the RAF College in 1920, was a member of B Sqn and attained the rank of Flt Cdt Sgt, after being awarded a scholarship as an apprentice at Halton.	He was commissioned on 16 Aug 1922 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 29 Sep 1922. He retired on 6 May 1960 in the rank of ACM.	He was a graduate of the Imperial Defence College, the RAF Staff College and the Central Flying School.
Edward Beresford FORSTER (16051)	He entered the RAF College in 1920, was a member of A Sqn. He also represented the college in Athletics, Cricket, Fencing and Rugby.	He was commissioned on 16 Aug 1922 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 29 Sep 1922. He died in service on 26 May 1928 in the rank of Fg Off.	He died whilst serving in Iraq and is buried in Ma'asker Al Raschid RAF Cemetery.
Matthew Charles HAYTER (16052)	He entered the RAF College in 1920, was a member of B Sqn. He also represented the college in Athletics and Soccer.	He was commissioned on 16 Aug 1922 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 29 Sep 1922. He was killed in a flying accident on 24 Oct 1922 in the rank of Plt Off.	He was serving with No 24 Sqn
Ernest Alton HEALY (16053)	He entered the RAF College in 1920, was a member of A Sqn and attained the rank of Flt Cdt Cpl. He also represented the college in Rugby.	He was commissioned on 16 Aug 1922 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 29 Sep 1922. He retired on 2 Nov 1946 in the rank of Gp Capt.
Edgar Arnott HODGSON (16054) CBE	He entered the RAF College in 1920, was a member of A Sqn and attained the rank of Flt Cdt Under Officer.	He was commissioned on 16 Aug 1922 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 29 Sep 1922. He retired on 1 Jul 1950 in the rank of Gp Capt.
George Herbert HUXHAM (16055)	He entered the RAF College in 1920, was a member of B Sqn. He also represented the college in Cricket and Soccer.	He was commissioned on 16 Aug 1922 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 29 Sep 1922. He retired on 1 Apr 1951 in the rank of Gp Capt.
Anson Geoffrey Stewart JOHNSON (16056)	He entered the RAF College in 1920 and was a member of B Sqn.	He was commissioned on 16 Aug 1922 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 29 Sep 1922. He was removed from the RAF, His Majesty having no further use for his services on 17 May 1924 in the rank of Plt Off.
Arthur KING LEWIS (16057)	He entered the RAF College in 1920, was a member of A Sqn and attained the rank of Flt Cdt Sgt. He also represented the college in Cricket and Soccer.	He was commissioned on 16 Aug 1922 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 29 Sep 1922. He retired on 4 Feb 1948 in the rank of Gp Capt.
Sir Douglas MACFADYEN (16058) KCB, CBE	He entered the RAF College in 1920, was a member of B Sqn and attained the rank of Flt Cdt Under Officer. He also represented the college in Cricket. On graduating he was awarded the Sword of Honour and the R M Groves Memorial Prize.	He was commissioned on 16 Aug 1922 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 29 Sep 1922. He retired on 29 Apr 1959 in the rank of AM.	He was a graduate of the Imperial Defence College, the RAF Staff College and the Central Flying School.
Charles Bagot Beaumont MATURIN (16059)	He entered the RAF College in 1920, was a member of B Sqn and attained the rank of Flt Cdt Cpl.	He was commissioned on 16 Aug 1922 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 29 Sep 1922. He resigned his permanent commission on 4 Jun 1924 in the rank of Plt Off. However he re enlisted in the RAFVR on 26 Sep 1939, until leaving on 13 Nov 1945 in the rank of Wg Cdr.
Sir Claude Bernard Raymond PELLY (16060) GBE, KCB, MC	He entered the RAF College in 1920, was a member of B Sqn and attained the rank of Flt Cdt Cpl. He also represented the college in Rugby.	He was commissioned on 16 Aug 1922 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 29 Sep 1922. He retired on 13 Nov 1959 in the rank of ACM.	He was a graduate of the Imperial Defence College and the RAF Staff College.
Charles Hartington RATCLIFFE (16061)	He entered the RAF College in 1920, was a member of B Sqn. He also represented the college in Soccer.	He was commissioned on 16 Aug 1922 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 29 Sep 1922. He resigned his permanent commission on ? in the rank of Fg Off.
Cecil Stanley RICCARD (16062) CBE	He entered the RAF College in 1920, was a member of A Sqn. He also represented the college in Rugby.	He was commissioned on 16 Aug 1922 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 29 Sep 1922. He retired on 1 Jan 1951 in the rank of Gp Capt.
Charles Herbert Algernon STEVENS (16063) OBE	He entered the RAF College in 1920, was a member of B Sqn and attained the rank of Flt Cdt Cpl. He also represented the college in Athletics and Rugby.	He was commissioned on 16 Aug 1922 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 29 Sep 1922. He retired on 12 Jan 1948 in the rank of Gp Capt.
Nevill VINTCENT (16064) DFC	He entered the RAF College in 1920, was a member of A Sqn and attained the rank of Flt Cdt Sgt. He also represented the college in Athletics and Rugby.	He was commissioned on 16 Aug 1922 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 29 Sep 1922. He resigned his permanent commission on 11 Dec 1928 in the rank of Fg Off.
Robert Richard Studdert WALLER (16065)	He entered the RAF College in 1920 and was a member of B Sqn.	He was commissioned on 16 Aug 1922 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 29 Sep 1922. He was killed in a flying accident on 10 May 1925 in the rank of Fg Off.	He was severely injured whilst piloting a Bristol fighter of No 31 Sqn on 9 May and died from his injuries the following day.
Cecil GUPPY (16066)	He entered the RAF College in 1920 and was a member of A Sqn.	He was commissioned on 6 Oct 1922 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 24 Oct 1922. He retired on 3 Feb 1945 in the rank of Wg Cdr.
Ellis REID (16067)	He entered the RAF College in 1920, was a member of ? Sqn. He also represented the college in Athletics and Soccer.	He was commissioned on 19 Nov 1922 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 19 Dec 1922. He was killed in a flying accident on 12 Nov 1924 in the rank of Fg Off.	He was killed whilst flying Snipe, F2499 of No 1 Sqn which spun into the ground at Hinaidi and is buried in Ma'asker Al Raschid RAF Cemetery.

The following cadets graduated from the RAF College at Cranwell on 20 December 1922. The reviewing officer at the graduation parade was Air Chief Marshal Sir Hugh Trenchard KCB, DSO, ADC (Chief of the Air Staff)

Charles Forbes SEALY (16085)	He entered the RAF College in 1920, was a member of A Sqn and attained the rank of Flt Cdt Cpl.	He was commissioned on 20 Jan 1923 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 20 Mar 1923. He retired on 25 Dec 1954 in the rank of Gp Capt.	He transferred to the Technical Branch.
Montague William KEEY (16087)	He entered the RAF College in 1920 and was a member of B Sqn.	He was commissioned on 3 Feb 1923 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 27 Feb 1923. He died in service on 15 Jul 1937 in the rank of Flt Lt.	He died at the Granada Nursing Home in Fulham
Robert Henry Seymour SPAIGHT (16088) CBE	He entered the RAF College in 1920, was a member of B Sqn and attained the rank of Flt Cdt Sgt. He also represented the college in Athletics, Cricket and Rugby.	He was commissioned on 21 Apr 1923 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 19 Jun 1923. He retired on 21 Aug 1950 in the rank of A/Cdre.	He was a graduate of the RAF Staff College.
Edward Charles KEEY (16086)	He entered the RAF College in 1920, was a member of A Sqn and attained the rank of Flt Cdt Cpl.	He was commissioned on 27 Apr 1923 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 5 Jun 1923. He was killed in a flying accident on 15 Oct 1923 in the rank of Plt Off.	He was serving at the Central Flying School and was attempting to land at Farnborough when he stalled and crashed. He died in the ambulance taking him the Cambridge Hospital.
Roper Guy Aymer VALLANCE (16084/11072)	He entered the RAF College in 1920 and was a member of A Sqn.	He was commissioned on 7 May 1923 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 5 Jun 1923. He retired on 4 Sep 1949 in the rank of Wg Cdr.	He transferred to the Stores Branch on 19 May 1924.
Richard Claude HANCOCK (24070)	He entered the RAF College in 1920 and was a member of ? Sqn.	He was appointed to a short service commission on 19 Mar 1927 in the rank of Pilot Officer on probation which was gazetted on 12 Apr 1927. He was killed in action on 10 Jun 1941 in the rank of Wg Cdr.	He was killed whilst flying in Proctor, P6256 of No 16 Sqn, which crashed on take off from Roborough after visiting the squadron detachment there. He is buried in Lustleigh Church Cemetery.
Dudley Frederick Arthur APTHORP (16068)	He entered the RAF College in 1921 and was a member of A Sqn.	He was commissioned on 20 Dec 1922 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 23 Jan 1923. He retired on 31 Oct 1923 in the rank of Plt Off.
Thomas Donald BERRIDGE (16069)	He entered the RAF College in 1921 and was a member of B Sqn.	He was commissioned on 20 Dec 1922 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 23 Jan 1923. He was killed in a flying accident on 30 Mar 1925 in the rank of Fg Off.	He was flying an unidentified Bristol fighter of No 28 Sqn, when he was involved in an accident at Quetta. He was killed and his gunner, AC2 Alexander Bidmead was seriously injured.
Ronald Hartley CARTER (16071) DSO, OBE, DFC	He entered the RAF College in 1921, was a member of B Sqn and attained the rank of Flt Cdt Sgt. He also represented the college in Athletics, Hockey and Soccer.	He was commissioned on 20 Dec 1922 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 23 Jan 1923. He retired on 29 Nov 1949 in the rank of Gp Capt.	He was a graduate of the RAF Staff College.
North CARTER (16070) CB, DFC	He entered the RAF College in 1921, was a member of A Sqn and attained the rank of Flt Cdt Under Officer. He also represented the college in Cricket, Hockey, Rugby and Soccer. On graduating he was awarded the Sword of Honour.	He was commissioned on 20 Dec 1922 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 23 Jan 1923. He retired on 26 Nov 1954 in the rank of A/Cdre.	He was a graduate of the RAF Staff College.
Francis Gerald CATOR (16072) CBE	He entered the RAF College in 1921, was a member of A Sqn and attained the rank of Flt Cdt Cpl.	He was commissioned on 20 Dec 1922 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 23 Jan 1923. He retired on 24 Apr 1951 in the rank of Gp Capt.	He was a graduate of the RAF Staff College.
Maurice James FITZMAURICE (16073)	He entered the RAF College in 1921 and was a member of B Sqn.	He was commissioned on 20 Dec 1922 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 23 Jan 1923. He was killed in a flying accident on 14 Jul 1923 in the rank of Plt Off.	He died of his injuries in the Royal Herbert Hospital, Woolwich possibly sustained whilst flying Avro 504K, F8764 of No 56 Sqn which suffered an engine failure during a night take off at Biggin Hill.
Francis Frederic Rowsell GOLDSMID (16074)	He entered the RAF College in 1921, was a member of B Sqn and attained the rank of Flt Cdt Cpl. He also represented the college in Cricket and Rugby.	He was commissioned on 20 Dec 1922 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 23 Jan 1923. He was killed in a flying accident on 8 Apr 1924 in the rank of Plt Off.	He died from from injuries sustained whilst flying Bristol Fighter, F4606 of the School of Army Co operation which stalled and crashed at Old Sarum.
Frederic Samuel HARRIS (16075)	He entered the RAF College in 1921, was a member of B Sqn and attained the rank of Flt Cdt Sgt.	He was commissioned on 20 Dec 1922 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 23 Jan 1923. He was killed in a flying accident on 23 Apr 1923 in the rank of Plt Off.	He was killed whilst flying in DH9A, E8489 of No 39 Sqn, which spun in from 100 ft shortly after taking off from Spittlegate.
Sir Richard Bowen JORDAN (16076) KCB, DFC	He entered the RAF College in 1921, was a member of A Sqn and attained the rank of Flt Cdt Sgt. He also represented the college in Cricket and Rugby.	He was commissioned on 20 Dec 1922 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 23 Jan 1923. He retired on 2 Jun 1958 in the rank of AM.	He was a graduate of the RAF Staff College.
Richard LEWES (16077)	He entered the RAF College in 1921, was a member of B Sqn and attained the rank of Flt Cdt Under Officer. He also represented the college in Athletics and Hockey. On graduating he was awarded the R M Groves Memorial Prize.	He was commissioned on 20 Dec 1922 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 23 Jan 1923. He was killed in a flying accident on 29 Jan 1925 in the rank of Fg Off.	He was killed in an accident at Hal Far in Malta, when he overturned in Flycatcher, N9666 of No 402 (Fleet fighter) Flt. He is buried in Pieta Military Cemetery.
Ralph Woodcock Gifford LYWOOD (16078)	He entered the RAF College in 1921, was a member of A Sqn and attained the rank of Flt Cdt Cpl.	He was commissioned on 20 Dec 1922 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 23 Jan 1923. He retired on 21 Apr 1946 in the rank of Gp Capt.
John Sydney NEWALL (16079)	He entered the RAF College in 1921, was a member of B Sqn and attained the rank of Flt Cdt Sgt. He also represented the college in Athletics and Cricket.	He was commissioned on 20 Dec 1922 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 23 Jan 1923. He resigned his permanent commission on 11 Dec 1928 in the rank of Fg Off. However he was recalled to service on 1 Sep 1939, reverting to the retired list on 27 Nov 1945 in the rank of Sqn Ldr.	He joined the Reserve of Air Force Officers, Class C transferring to Class A on 30 Apr 1931
Sir George Edward NICHOLETTS (16080) KBE, CB, AFC and Bar	He entered the RAF College in 1921, was a member of A Sqn and attained the rank of Flt Cdt Cpl. He also represented the college in Rugby.	He was commissioned on 20 Dec 1922 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 23 Jan 1923. He retired on 1 Jul 1959 in the rank of AM.	He was a graduate of the RAF Staff College.
Frank Edward NUTTALL (16081) OBE	He entered the RAF College in 1921, was a member of A Sqn and attained the rank of Flt Cdt Sgt. He also represented the college in Athletics.	He was commissioned on 20 Dec 1922 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 23 Jan 1923. He retired on 30 Jun 1937 in the rank of Sqn Ldr. However he was recalled to service on 1 Sep 1939, reverting to the retired list on 7 Nov 1946 in the rank of Gp Capt.
William Alfred OPIE (16082) CB, CBE, CEng, FIMechE, FRAeS	He entered the RAF College in 1921 and was a member of B Sqn.	He was commissioned on 20 Dec 1922 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 23 Jan 1923. He retired on 1 Jun 1959 in the rank of AVM.	He transferred to the Technical Branch
George Hurst RANDLE (16083) BA, CEng, MIEE	He entered the RAF College in 1921, was a member of A Sqn. On graduating he was awarded the Abdy Gerrard Fellows Memorial Prize.	He was commissioned on 20 Dec 1922 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 23 Jan 1923. He retired on 12 Feb 1957 in the rank of A/Cdre.	He transferred to the Technical Branch.

1921 1923

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