Cranwell Graduations 1926

Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation

Cranwell Graduations 1926

The following cadets graduated from the RAF College at Cranwell on 29 July 1926. The reviewing officer at the graduation parade was Sir Philip Sassoon Bart, CBE, CMG, MP (Under-Secretary of State for Air)

Personal details	College details	RAF Details	Comments
William George ABRAMS (16215)	He entered the RAF College in 1924, was a member of A Sqn and attained the rank of Flt Cdt Sgt.	He was commissioned on 30 Jul 1926 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 17 Aug 1926. He retired on 24 Sep 1956 in the rank of Gp Capt.
Leslie Clive BENNETT (16216)	He entered the RAF College in 1924, was a member of A Sqn and attained the rank of Flt Cdt Cpl. He also represented the college in Athletics and Soccer.	He was commissioned on 30 Jul 1926 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 17 Aug 1926. He was killed in action on 9 Jul 1940 in the rank of Wg Cdr.	He was the OC of No 21 Sqn and was killed whilst flying Blenheim IV, R3732, which was probably shot down by fighters during a mission to Stavanger. He is buried in Lonstrup Churchyard.
Kenneth Stanley BRAKE (16217)	He entered the RAF College in 1924, was a member of A Sqn and attained the rank of Flt Cdt Cpl.	He was commissioned on 30 Jul 1926 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 17 Aug 1926. He died in service on 29 Sep 1950 in the rank of Gp Capt.	He was the CO at RAF Hawarden and died in the RAF Hospital at West Kirby
Sir Charles Edward CHILTON (16218) KBE, CB	He entered the RAF College in 1924, was a member of B Sqn and attained the rank of Flt Cdt Cpl.	He was commissioned on 30 Jul 1926 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 17 Aug 1926. He retired on 7 Sep 1962 in the rank of AM.	He was a graduate of the Imperial Defence College.
James Charles CUNNINGHAM (16219)	He entered the RAF College in 1924, was a member of A Sqn and attained the rank of Flt Cdt Cpl. He also represented the college in Fencing.	He was commissioned on 30 Jul 1926 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 17 Aug 1926. He was reported missing in action on 29 Sep 1939 in the rank of Wg Cdr.	He was killed whilst flying Hampden I, L4134 of No 144 Sqn which was shot down near Heligoland and is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.
Roy Severs DARBISHIRE (16220)	He entered the RAF College in 1924, was a member of B Sqn. He also represented the college in Hockey.	He was commissioned on 30 Jul 1926 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 17 Aug 1926. He retired on 2 Feb 1956 in the rank of Wg Cdr.
Eric Stanley FINCH (16221)	He entered the RAF College in 1924, was a member of B Sqn and attained the rank of Flt Cdt Sgt, having been awarded a scholarship as an apprentice at Cranwell. He also represented the college in Athletics and Fencing.	He was commissioned on 30 Jul 1926 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 17 Aug 1926. He died in service on 20 Aug 1960 in the rank of Gp Capt.	He died at the Royal Infirmary, Truro
Wilfred Leslie FREEBODY (16222) CB, CBE, AFC	He entered the RAF College in 1924, was a member of A Sqn and attained the rank of Flt Cdt Sgt. He also represented the college in Fencing. On graduating he was awarded the Abdy Gerrard Fellows Memorial Prize and the Humanistics Prize.	He was commissioned on 30 Jul 1926 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 17 Aug 1926. He retired on 26 Apr 1960 in the rank of AVM.	He was a graduate of the Imperial Defence College.
Richard Kaye HAMBLIN (16223) CBE	He entered the RAF College in 1924, was a member of A Sqn and attained the rank of Flt Cdt Under Officer.	He was commissioned on 30 Jul 1926 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 17 Aug 1926. He retired on 25 Jun 1956 in the rank of A/Cdre.
Percy Howard JACKSON (16224)	He entered the RAF College in 1924, was a member of B Sqn and attained the rank of Flt Cdt Sgt. He also represented the college in Cricket and Rugby.	He was commissioned on 30 Jul 1926 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 17 Aug 1926. He retired on 16 Feb 1928 in the rank of Plt Off.
Francis Jack MOON (16226)	He entered the RAF College in 1924, was a member of A Sqn. He also represented the college in Soccer.	He was commissioned on 30-Jul-1926 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 17-Aug-1926. He died in service on 23-Mar-1929 in the rank of Fg Off.	He died at the RAF Hospital in Aden whilst serving in with No 8 Sqn and is buried in Maala Cemetery.
Rodney Frank PART (16227)	He entered the RAF College in 1924, was a member of B Sqn and attained the rank of Flt Cdt Cpl.	He was commissioned on 30 Jul 1926 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 17 Aug 1926. He retired on 1 Jan 1934 in the rank of Flt Lt. However he was recalled to service on 1 Sep 1939, reverting to the retired list on 13 Nov 1945 retaining the rank of Sqn Ldr.
Harry Alexander PURVIS (16228) DFC, AFC and Bar	He entered the RAF College in 1924, was a member of B Sqn. He also represented the college in Cricket and Rugby. On graduating he was awarded the R M Groves Memorial Prize.	He was commissioned on 30 Jul 1926 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 17 Aug 1926. He retired on 28 Nov 1946 in the rank of Gp Capt.
David Neal ROBERTS (16229) CBE, AFC	He entered the RAF College in 1924 and was a member of B Sqn.	He was commissioned on 30 Jul 1926 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 17 Aug 1926. He retired on 29 May 1958 in the rank of A/Cdre.	He was a graduate of the Central Flying School.
Guy STEVINSON (16230)	He entered the RAF College in 1924, was a member of B Sqn and attained the rank of Flt Cdt Cpl. He also represented the college in Athletics, Cricket, Hockey and Soccer.	He was commissioned on 30 Jul 1926 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 17 Aug 1926. He was killed in a flying accident on 17 Jan 1928 in the rank of Plt Off.	He was killed in a flying accident at Tidworth whilst flying a Woodcock of No 17 Sqn. He is buried in Upavon Church Cemetery.
Richard Peter Hugh UTLEY (16231)	He entered the RAF College in 1924, was a member of B Sqn and attained the rank of Flt Cdt Cpl. He also represented the college in Cricket.	He was commissioned on 30 Jul 1926 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 17 Aug 1926. He resigned his permanent commission on 1 Sep 1928 in the rank of Fg Off.
Horace WARING (16232)	He entered the RAF College in 1924 and was a member of B Sqn.	He was commissioned on 30 Jul 1926 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 17 Aug 1926. He retired on 29 Aug 1955 retaining the rank of A/Cdre.
Brian Courtenay YARDE (16233) CVO, CBE	He entered the RAF College in 1924, was a member of B Sqn and attained the rank of Flt Cdt Under Officer. He also represented the college in Athletics, Cricket, Hockey and Rugby. On graduating he was awarded the Sword of Honour.	He was commissioned on 30 Jul 1926 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 17 Aug 1926. He retired on 12 Mar 1957 in the rank of AVM.	He was a graduate of the RAF Staff College.
James Richard MUTCH (26003) CB	He entered the RAF College in 1924, was a member of B Sqn and attained the rank of Flt Cdt Sgt, having been awarded a scholarship as an apprentice at Cranwell. He also represented the college in Athletics, Hockey, Rugby and Soccer.	He was commissioned on 11-Mar-1927 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 12-Apr-1927. He retired on 15-Jun-1959 in the rank of A/Cdre.	He was a graduate of the RAF Staff College.

The following cadets graduated from the RAF College at Cranwell on 10 December 1926. The reviewing officer at the graduation parade was Air Chief Marshal Sir Hugh Trenchard GCB, DSO (Chief of the Air Staff)

Personal details	College details	RAF Details	Comments
Vyvian Quentery BLACKDEN (16236)	He entered the RAF College in 1925, was a member of B Sqn and attained the rank of Flt Cdt Cpl.	He was commissioned on 11 Dec 1926 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 7 Jan 1927. He was killed in action on 10 Apr 1941 in the rank of Wg Cdr.	He was killed whilst flying in Wellington II, W5375 PH-D of No 12 Sqn, which was shot down by a night fighter on a raid to Emden. He is buried in Lemsterland (Lemmer) General Cemetery.
William Neal BLAIN (16237)	He entered the RAF College in 1925, was a member of B Sqn and attained the rank of Flt Cdt Sgt. He also represented the college in Cricket.	He was commissioned on 11 Dec 1926 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 7 Jan 1927. He died in service on 1 Jul 1938 in the rank of Sqn Ldr.	He was serving as a flight commander with No 216 Sqn and died in the Citadel Military Hospital in Cairo
John CLARKE (16238)	He entered the RAF College in 1925, was a member of A Sqn and attained the rank of Flt Cdt Under Officer. He also represented the college in Rugby. On graduating he was awarded the Sword of Honour, Abdy Gerrard Fellows Memorial Prize and the R M Groves Memorial Prize.	He was commissioned on 11 Dec 1926 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 7 Jan 1927. He was killed in a flying accident on 11 Oct 1929 in the rank of Fg Off.	He was killed whilst flying an unidentified Siskin IIA of No 29 Sqn in a flying accident at Brough.
William Charles COOPER (16240) CBE	He entered the RAF College in 1925, was a member of A Sqn and attained the rank of Flt Cdt Sgt. He also represented the college in Soccer. On graduating he was awarded the Hyde Thompson Memorial Prize and the Humanistics Prize.	He was commissioned on 11 Dec 1926 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 7 Jan 1927. He retired on 1 Oct 1946 in the rank of A/Cdre.
Charles Worwood DICKEN (16241) CBE	He entered the RAF College in 1925, was a member of B Sqn. He also represented the college in Hockey.	He was commissioned on 11 Dec 1926 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 7 Jan 1927. He retired on 2 Dec 1955 in the rank of A/Cdre.	He was a graduate of the RAF Staff College and the Imperial Defence College.
Thomas Charles DICKENS (16243) CB, CBE	He entered the RAF College in 1925, 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 11 Dec 1926 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 7 Jan 1927. He retired on 6 Dec 1956 in the rank of A/Cdre.	He was a graduate of the Imperial Defence College, the RAF Staff College and the Central Flying School.
Reginald John Drummond DRUMMOND (16242)	He entered the RAF College in 1925, 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 11 Dec 1926 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 7 Jan 1927. He retired on 8 Sep 1933 in the rank of Flt Lt.
Patrick Charles Ibbetson ELDERTON (16244)	He entered the RAF College in 1925 and was a member of B Sqn.	He was commissioned on 11 Dec 1926 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 7 Jan 1927. He retired on 11 Mar 1931 in the rank of Fg Off. However he re enlisted in the RAFVR on 31 Jan 1940, reverting to the retired list on 29 Sep 1957 in the rank of Wg Cdr.
Geoffrey FRANCIS (16245) DSO, DFC	He entered the RAF College in 1925, was a member of A Sqn. He also represented the college in Athletics and Rugby.	He was commissioned on 11 Dec 1926 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 7 Jan 1927. He retired on 18 Sep 1951 in the rank of Gp Capt.
John Charles Ashley JOHNSON (16247)	He entered the RAF College in 1925 and was a member of A Sqn.	He was commissioned on 11 Dec 1926 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 7 Jan 1927. He retired on 12 Apr 1954 in the rank of A/Cdre.
Evan Christopher LEWIS (16248)	He entered the RAF College in 1925, was a member of A Sqn and attained the rank of Flt Cdt Cpl.	He was commissioned on 11 Dec 1926 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 7 Jan 1927. He died in service on 22 Jan 1960 in the rank of Gp Capt.	He died in the Princess Alice Hospital in Eastbourne
Gomer Flower LEWIS (16249)	He entered the RAF College in 1925 and was a member of B Sqn.	He was commissioned on 11 Dec 1926 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 7 Jan 1927. He was killed in a flying accident on 2 Feb 1927 in the rank of Plt Off.	He was killed in flying accident in Woodcock, J7736 of No 3 Sqn at Upavon. He was acting as the target aircraft during a camera gun practice when he stalled at 400 ft and dived into the ground.
John NORWOOD (16253)	He entered the RAF College in 1925, was a member of B Sqn and attained the rank of Flt Cdt Under Officer. He also represented the college in Hockey and Rugby.	He was commissioned on 11 Dec 1926 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 7 Jan 1927. He retired on 15 Jul 1952 in the rank of Gp Capt.	He was a graduate of the RAF Staff College.
Alistair Ross SAREL (16254)	He entered the RAF College in 1925 and was a member of A Sqn.	He was commissioned on 11 Dec 1926 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 7 Jan 1927. He retired on 1 May 1940 in the rank of Sqn Ldr.
Geoffrey Ivon Laurence SAYE (16255) CB, OBE, AFC, FIN	He entered the RAF College in 1925, was a member of A Sqn and attained the rank of Flt Cdt Cpl.	He was commissioned on 11 Dec 1926 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 7 Jan 1927. He died in service on 6 Mar 1959 in the rank of AVM.	He was AOC, No 19 Group and was attending the disbandment ceremonies of No 228 Squadron and RAF St Eval when was taken ill and died the same day. He is buried in The War Cemetery, St Nicholas Churchyard, Thorney Island
Roger Pridgin TEALE (16256)	He entered the RAF College in 1925 and was a member of A Sqn.	He was commissioned on 11 Dec 1926 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 7 Jan 1927. He was killed in a flying accident on 8 Apr 1930 in the rank of Fg Off.	He was killed whilst flying Siskin IIIA, J8888 of No 19 Sqn, which spun in following a formation take off. He is buried in Whittlesford (SS Mary and Andrew) Churchyard.
Percy MacGregor WATT (16257)	He entered the RAF College in 1925, was a member of B Sqn and attained the rank of Flt Cdt Cpl.	He was commissioned on 11 Dec 1926 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 7 Jan 1927. He was killed on active service on 23 Nov 1939 in the rank of Wg Cdr.	He was killed whilst flying Hampden I, L4034 of No 49 Sqn, which crashed into a hanger at Waddington on landing and is buried in Nettlesham (All Saints) New Churchyard.
Archibald Martin WATTS-READ (16258)	He entered the RAF College in 1925, was a member of B Sqn and attained the rank of Flt Cdt Sgt. He also represented the college in Cricket and Rugby.	He was commissioned on 11 Dec 1926 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 7 Jan 1927. He was killed in action on 13 Mar 1941 in the rank of Sqn Ldr.	He was killed whilst flying in Whitley V, T4326 DY-K of No 102 Sqn, which was shot down by flak on a raid to Berlin. He is buried in Denekamp Protestant Cemetery.
George Frederick WHISTONDALE (16259)	He entered the RAF College in 1925 and was a member of A Sqn.	He was commissioned on 11 Dec 1926 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 7 Jan 1927. He was reported missing in action on 1 Mar 1942 in the rank of Gp Capt.	He was serving with AHQ FE and was killed when his car was ambushed by Japanese troops attacking Kalidjati airfield. He is commemorated on the Singapore Memorial.
Frank Dennis BIGGS (26001)	He entered the RAF College in 1925, was a member of A Sqn. He also represented the college in Cricket and Soccer	He was commissioned on 15-Feb-1927 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 1-Mar-1927. He resigned his permanent commission on 25-Mar-1948 retaining the rank of Wg Cdr.
Richard BROWN (26002)	He entered the RAF College in 1925, was a member of A Sqn and attained the rank of Flt Cdt Cpl.	He was commissioned on 15 Feb 1927 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 1 Mar 1927. He was killed in a flying accident on 23 Apr 1934 in the rank of Flt Lt.	He was flying a Hawker Fury I (K2044 or K2047) of No 1 Sqn when he collided with another aircraft of the same unit during flight attack training. The pilot of K2044 managed to abandon the aircraft but was nevertheless killed, whilst the pilot of K2047 was killed in the collision. He is buried in Tangmere (St Andrew) Churchyard.
Harry George WHEELER (26004)	He entered the RAF College in 1925, was a member of A Sqn and attained the rank of Flt Cdt Cpl. He also represented the college in Hockey and Soccer.	He was commissioned on 15 Mar 1927 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 12 Apr 1927. He was killed on active service on 21 Sep 1943 in the rank of Gp Capt.	He was serving with the ME Comm Flt and was killed in a motor accident. He is buried in Rhodes War Cemetery.

1925 1927

[Top of Page]