Cranwell Graduations 1927

Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation

Cranwell Graduations 1927

The following cadets graduated from the RAF College at Cranwell on 29 July 1927. The reviewing officer at the graduation parade was The Rt Hon Sir Samuel Hoare Bart, GBE, CMG, MP (Secretary of State for Air)

Personal details	College details	RAF Details	Comments
Roy James Oliphant BARTLETT (26005)	He entered the RAF College in 1925 and was a member of B Sqn .	He was commissioned on 30 Jul 1927 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 30 Aug 1927. He was killed in a flying accident on 7 Oct 1936 in the rank of Flt Lt.	He was killed whilst flying Hawker Fury I, K5682 of the RAF College, Cranwell when he was involved in a collision with another Fury, K5681 also belonging to the College flown by Flt Cdt Howard Frizelle Burton. Both pilots abandoned their aircraft but Bartlett was struck by one of the falling aircraft, whilst Burton was slightly injured.
Arthur Pakenham Fitzhardinge Murray BERKELEY (26006)	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 Fencing and Athletics.	He was commissioned on 30 Jul 1927 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 30 Aug 1927. He retired on account of ill health on 18 Jan 1940 in the rank of Sqn Ldr.	He was killed in a flying accident at Kings Field near Park Lane, Woodchester in Gloucestershire on 4-Aug-1941.
Clayton Deseou Clement BOYCE (26007) CB, CBE	He entered the RAF College in 1925 and was a member of B Sqn .	He was commissioned on 30 Jul 1927 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 30 Aug 1927. He retired on 12 Sep 1959 in the rank of AVM.	He was a graduate of the Imperial Defence College andf the Joint Services Staff College.
Walter Donald BUTLER (26008)	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 Hockey and Soccer.	He was commissioned on 30 Jul 1927 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 30 Aug 1927. He was killed on active service on 18 Sep 1943 in the rank of Gp Capt.	He was serving with No 285 Wing at the time of his death, the cause of which has not yet been ascertained. He is buried in Salerno War Cemetery.
(Desmond) de Lancy COOKE (26009)	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 30 Jul 1927 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 30 Aug 1927. He was killed in action on 8 Jul 1940 in the rank of Sqn Ldr.	He was the OC of No 65 Sqn and was killed whilst flying Spitfire I, K9907, which was shot down off Dover. He is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.
John Woodburn GILLAN (26010) DFC and Bar, AFC	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 Athletics and Fencing. On graduating he was awarded the R M Groves Memorial Prize.	He was commissioned on 30 Jul 1927 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 30 Aug 1927. He was killed in action on 29 Aug 1941 in the rank of Wg Cdr.	He was the Wing Leader at North Weald and was killed whilst flying Spitfire VB, W3715 of 111 Sqn, which failed to return from an offensive sweep. He is buried in Dunkirk Town Cemetery.
Clifton Winnington GRANNUM (26011)	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 30 Jul 1927 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 30 Aug 1927. He was killed in action on 28 Oct 1940 in the rank of Sqn Ldr.	He was killed whilst flying in Blenheim IV, T1891 of No 105 Sqn, which was lost without a trace on a raid to Homberg. He is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.
Colin McKay GRIERSON (26012) CBE	He entered the RAF College in 1925, 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 also represented the college in Hockey. On graduating he was awarded the Humanistics Prize.	He was commissioned on 30 Jul 1927 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 30 Aug 1927. He retired on 31 Aug 1950 in the rank of A/Cdre.	He was a graduate of the RAF Staff College.
James Arnold Hamilton LOUDEN (26013)	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 Rowing.	He was commissioned on 30 Jul 1927 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 30 Aug 1927. He retired on 17 Jun 1956 in the rank of Gp Capt.	He died at Bridgwater Hospital in Somerset on 13-Dec-1958.
William Melland MOORE (26014)	He entered the RAF College in 1925 after being awarded a scholarship as an apprentice at Halton. He also represented the college in Fencing.	He was commissioned on 30 Jul 1927 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 30 Aug 1927. He retired on 29 Jul 1930 in the rank of Fg Off. However he was recalled to service on 1 Sep 1939, reverting to the retired list on 12 Jun 1947 in the rank of Wg Cdr.
Lawrence Patrick MOORE (26015) CBE, AFRAeS	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 Cricket, Hockey and Tennis.	He was commissioned on 30 Jul 1927 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 30 Aug 1927. He retired on 27 Aug 1961 in the rank of A/Cdre.	He transferred to the Technical Branch. He was a graduate of the RAF Staff College.
Claude Cecil O'GRADY (26016)	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 30 Jul 1927 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 30 Aug 1927. He retired on 1 Feb 1955 in the rank of Gp Capt.
Montague George PHILPOTT (26017)	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, Hockey and Rugby.	He was commissioned on 30 Jul 1927 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 30 Aug 1927. He retired on 28 May 1956 in the rank of Gp Capt.	He was a graduate of the RAF Staff College and the Central Flying School.
Austin Wollaston SANDEMAN (26018)	He entered the RAF College in 1925, was a member of B Sqn and attained the rank of Flt Cdt Sgt.	He was commissioned on 30 Jul 1927 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 30 Aug 1927. He resigned his permanent commission on 1 Sep 1935 in the rank of Sqn Ldr.
Robert Arthur Terence STOWELL (26019) OBE, DFC	He entered the RAF College in 1925 and was a member of B Sqn .	He was commissioned on 30 Jul 1927 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 30 Aug 1927. He retired on 1 Mar 1956 in the rank of Gp Capt.
Claude Henry TURNER (26020)	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 Cricket, Hockey and Soccer.	He was commissioned on 30 Jul 1927 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 30 Aug 1927. He retired on 23 Feb 1950 in the rank of Gp Capt.
Eric James WATSON (26021)	He entered the RAF College in 1925, was a member of B Sqn. He also represented the college in Athletics.	He was commissioned on 30 Jul 1927 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 30 Aug 1927. He was killed in a flying accident on 17 Feb 1928 in the rank of Plt Off.	He was seriously injured in a mid-air collision between three Grebes of No 25 Sqn at Capel near Folkestone. He was flying either J7372 or J7392 and later died of his injuries. The pilot of the other aircraft, Grebe J7372 or J7392 successfully abandoned his aircraft and was uninjured, as was the pilot of the third aircraft, J7412.
Francis Richard WORTHINGTON (26022)	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 Rugby and Rowing. On graduating he was awarded the Sword of Honour and the Abdy Gerrard Fellows Memorial Prize.	He was commissioned on 30 Jul 1927 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 30 Aug 1927. He was killed in a flying accident on 5 Sep 1953 in the rank of Gp Capt.	He was killed whilst flying in Anson T Mk 20, VM418 of No 1 ITS, which flew into Clagh Oury on the Isle of Man in thick fog whilst returning to Jurby from RAF Millom. He is buried in St Patrick's Churchyard, Jurby.

The following cadets graduated from the RAF College at Cranwell on 16 December 1927. The reviewing officer at the graduation parade was Air Marshal Sir John Salmond KCB, CMG, CVO, DSO, ADC

Personal details	College details	RAF Details	Comments
Edward Joseph HILL (26034)	He entered the RAF College in 1925 and was a member of A Sqn.	He was commissioned on 17 Dec 1927 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 17 Jan 1928. He resigned his permanent commission on 25 Feb 1931 in the rank of Fg Off. However he was recalled to service on 1 Sep 1939, reverting to the retired list on 19 Apr 1946 in the rank of Sqn Ldr.
John Edward ALLEN (26023)	He entered the RAF College in 1926 and was a member of A Sqn.	He was commissioned on 17 Dec 1927 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 17 Jan 1928. He retired on 11 Feb 1948 in the rank of Gp Capt.
Charles Eric St John BEAMISH (26024) DFC	He entered the RAF College in 1926, was a member of B Sqn and attained the rank of Flt Cdt Sgt. He also represented the college in Hockey, Rugby and Cricket.	He was commissioned on 17 Dec 1927 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 17 Jan 1928. He retired on 18 Sep 1948 in the rank of Gp Capt.	He was a graduate of the RAF Staff College.
Walter Karl BEISIEGEL (26025) OBE	He entered the RAF College in 1926, was a member of A Sqn and attained the rank of Flt Cdt Sgt. He also represented the college in Cricket, Hockey and Rugby.	He was commissioned on 17 Dec 1927 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 17 Jan 1928. He retired on 10 Apr 1956 in the rank of A/Cdre.	He was a graduate of the Joint Services Staff College.
Samuel Leslie BLUNT (26026)	He entered the RAF College in 1926, was a member of A Sqn and attained the rank of Flt Cdt Cpl.	He was commissioned on 17 Dec 1927 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 17 Jan 1928. He retired on 1 Aug 1956 in the rank of Gp Capt.
Peter John Basil CHALMERS (26027)	He entered the RAF College in 1926, was a member of A Sqn and attained the rank of Flt Cdt Cpl. He also represented the college in Athletics.	He was commissioned on 17 Dec 1927 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 17 Jan 1928. He was killed in a flying accident on 8 Feb 1928 in the rank of Plt Off.	He was killed in a flying accident near Emsworth in Hampshire whilst flying Gamecock, J7919 of No 43 Sqn.
Sir (Hugh) Alex CONSTANTINE (26028) KBE, CB, DSO	He entered the RAF College in 1926, was a member of B Sqn and attained the rank of Flt Cdt Cpl. He also represented the college in Fencing and Rugby.	He was commissioned on 17 Dec 1927 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 17 Jan 1928. He retired on 30 May 1964 in the rank of ACM.	He was a graduate of the Imperial Defence College, the RAF Staff College and the Central Flying School.
John Scatliffe DEWAR (26029) DSO, DFC	He entered the RAF College in 1926, was a member of B Sqn. He also represented the college in Athletics, Cricket and Rugby.	He was commissioned on 17 Dec 1927 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 17 Jan 1928. He was killed in action on 12 Sep 1940 in the rank of Wg Cdr.	He was killed whilst flying Hurricane I, V7306 of No 213 Sqn, from Exeter to Tangmere and his presumed to have been shot down. He is buried in North Baddesley (St John The Baptist) Churchyard.
John Harry Luke DILLON-TRENCHARD (26030)	He entered the RAF College in 1926, was a member of B Sqn and attained the rank of Flt Cdt Sgt. He also represented the college in Athletics, Boxing, Fencing and Rugby.	He was commissioned on 17 Dec 1927 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 17 Jan 1928. He resigned his permanent commission on 21 Jan 1931 in the rank of Fg Off. However he was recalled to service on xx xxx 1940, reverting to the retired list on xx xxx 1945 in the rank of Sqn Ldr.	He died of wounds.
Reginald Cyril FIELD (26031)	He entered the RAF College in 1926 and was a member of B Sqn , after being awarded a scholarship as an apprentice at Halton.	He was commissioned on 17 Dec 1927 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 17 Jan 1928. He retired on 29 Apr 1959 in the rank of A/Cdre.	He was a graduate of the RAF Staff College.
Samuel Robert GROOM (26032)	He entered the RAF College in 1926, was a member of B Sqn. He also represented the college in Cricket.	He was commissioned on 17 Dec 1927 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 17 Jan 1928. He was killed in action on 21 Nov 1940 in the rank of Wg Cdr.	He was killed whilst flying in Whitley V, P5072 DY-P of No 102 Sqn, which was lost over the North Sea on a raid to Duisburg. He is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.
Patrick John Handy HALAHAN (26033) DFC	He entered the RAF College in 1926, was a member of A Sqn and attained the rank of Flt Cdt Cpl. He also represented the college in Athletics, Hockey and Rugby.	He was commissioned on 17 Dec 1927 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 17 Jan 1928. He retired on 4 Apr 1943 in the rank of Wg Cdr.	0
Alfred William HUNT (26035) CBE	He entered the RAF College in 1926, was a member of B Sqn and attained the rank of Flt Cdt Under Officer. He also represented the college in Rowing. On graduating he was awarded the Sword of Honour.	He was commissioned on 17 Dec 1927 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 17 Jan 1928. He retired due to being unfit for Air Force service on 15 Jun 1948 in the rank of Gp Capt, although he had briefly been promoted to Act A/Cdre.	He died in The Royal West Sussex Hospital, Chichester on 22 Dec 1952.
Walter Howard HUTTON (26036) CBE	He entered the RAF College in 1926, was a member of B Sqn and attained the rank of Flt Cdt Cpl. He also represented the college in Athletics, Cricket and Rugby.	He was commissioned on 17 Dec 1927 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 17 Jan 1928. He retired on 10 Mar 1958 in the rank of A/Cdre.	He was a graduate of the RAF Staff College.
Edgar Albert JONES (26037)	He entered the RAF College in 1926, was a member of B Sqn and attained the rank of Flt Cdt Cpl. He also represented the college in Cricket. On graduating he was awarded the Abdy Gerrard Fellows Memorial Prize.	He was commissioned on 17 Dec 1927 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 17 Jan 1928. He retired on 8 Aug 1955 in the rank of Gp Capt.	He was a graduate of the RAF Staff College.
Haliburton Hume LEECH (26038)	He entered the RAF College in 1926, was a member of B Sqn and attained the rank of Flt Cdt Under Officer. He also represented the college in Rugby, Tennis, Squash and Hockey.	He was commissioned on 17 Dec 1927 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 17 Jan 1928. He retired on account of ill health on 17 Sep 1938 in the rank of Flt Lt.	He died in St Bartholomew's Hospital in London on 5-May-1939.
John Evelyn MACCALLUM (26039)	He entered the RAF College in 1926, was a member of A Sqn, after being awarded a scholarship as an apprentice at Halton. He also represented the college in Rugby.	He was commissioned on 17 Dec 1927 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 17 Jan 1928. He died in service on 16 Oct 1943 in the rank of Gp Capt.	Halton, Died from injuries in the Military Hospital in Oxford.
Nigel Blanford NORRIS (26040)	He entered the RAF College in 1926 and was a member of A Sqn.	He was commissioned on 17 Dec 1927 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 17 Jan 1928. He retired on 1 Jan 1956 in the rank of Wg Cdr.
Hewson Christopher PARKER (26041)	He entered the RAF College in 1926, 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 17 Dec 1927 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 17 Jan 1928. He retired on 10 Feb 1954 in the rank of Gp Capt.
Kenneth Frederick Travis PICKLES (26042) OBE	He entered the RAF College in 1926, was a member of B Sqn and attained the rank of Flt Cdt Cpl. He also represented the college in Soccer. On graduating he was awarded the Humanistics Prize.	He was commissioned on 17 Dec 1927 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 17 Jan 1928. He retired on 1 May 1955 in the rank of Gp Capt.	He was a graduate of the RAF Staff College.
John Robert HALLINGS-POTT (26043) CBE, DSO, AFC	He entered the RAF College in 1926, was a member of A Sqn and attained the rank of Flt Cdt Sgt. He also represented the college in Athletics, Cricket and Rugby.	He was commissioned on 17 Dec 1927 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 17 Jan 1928. He retired on 13 Jul 1957 in the rank of AVM.	He was originally called J R A Pott and was a graduate of the Imperial Defence College.
George Henry Herbert PROCTER (26044) CBE	He entered the RAF College in 1926, was a member of B Sqn, after being awarded a scholarship as an apprentice at Halton. He also represented the college in Soccer.	He was commissioned on 17 Dec 1927 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 17 Jan 1928. He retired on 12 Jun 1958 in the rank of Gp Capt.
Norman Alexander TAIT (26045) OBE, AFRAeS	He entered the RAF College in 1926 and was a member of A Sqn.	He was commissioned on 17 Dec 1927 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 17 Jan 1928. He retired on 20 Jun 1959 in the rank of A/Cdre.	He was a graduate of the RAF Staff College.
David John WAGHORN (26046) CBE, AFC	He entered the RAF College in 1926, was a member of A Sqn and attained the rank of Flt Cdt Under Officer. He also represented the college in Athletics and Rugby.	He was commissioned on 17 Dec 1927 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 17 Jan 1928. He was killed on active service on 1 Apr 1945 in the rank of A/Cdre.	He was killed whilst flying in Spitfire XIX, PS831 of No 541 Sqn, which crashed at Boscombe Down. He was cremated at Oxford Crematorium.
Ernest Richard WHITE (26047)	He entered the RAF College in 1926 and was a member of A Sqn.	He was commissioned on 17 Dec 1927 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 17 Jan 1928. He was killed in a flying accident on 24 Mar 1930 in the rank of Fg Off.	He was killed, whilst probably flying Virginia VI, J7709 of No 58 Sqn when it crashed whilst landing at night at Worthy Down.

1926 1928

[Top of Page]