Cranwell Graduations 1928

Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation

Cranwell Graduations 1928

The following cadets graduated from the RAF College at Cranwell on 27 July 1921. The reviewing officer at the graduation parade was Air Vice-Marshal Sir Philip Game KCB, DSO.

Personal details	College details	RAF Details	Comments
Reginald John COOPER (26048)	He entered the RAF College in 1926, was a member of A Sqn. He also represented the college in Soccer.	He was commissioned on 28 Jul 1928 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 21 Aug 1928. He was dismissed from the service by sentence of a General Court Marshal on 15 Dec 1942 in the rank of Gp Capt.	0
Richard Basil COUNCELL (26049) OBE	He entered the RAF College in 1926, was a member of B Sqn. He also represented the college in Fencing.	He was commissioned on 28 Jul 1928 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 21 Aug 1928. He retired on 7 Sep 1955 in the rank of Gp Capt.	He was a graduate of the Central Flying School.
Herbert Reginald DALE (26050)	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 Athletics and Rugby.	He was commissioned on 28 Jul 1928 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 21 Aug 1928. He was killed in action on 11 May 1941 in the rank of Wg Cdr.	He was killed whilst flying in Stirling I, N3654 LS-B of No 15 Sqn, which shot down over Holland during a raid on Berlin. He is buried in Bergen General Cemetery.
Albert Edward DARK (26051) CBE	He entered the RAF College in 1926, was a member of B Sqn and attained the rank of Flt Cdt Sgt.	He was commissioned on 28 Jul 1928 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 21 Aug 1928. He retired on 1 Jan 1956 in the rank of Gp Capt.	He was a graduate of the RAF Staff College and the Central Flying School.
Peter William Archdale DUDGEON (26052) DFC	He entered the RAF College in 1926, was a member of B Sqn. He also represented the college in.	He was commissioned on 28 Jul 1928 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 21 Aug 1928. He retired on 18 Jul 1933 in the rank of Fg Off. However he was recalled to service on 1 Sep 1939, reverting to the retired list on xx xxx 1946 in the rank of Wg Cdr.
Alexander Lumsden FRANKS (26053) AFC	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 Hockey and Rugby.	He was commissioned on 28 Jul 1928 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 21 Aug 1928. He was killed in action on 29 May 1940 in the rank of Sqn Ldr.	He was the OC of No 610 Sqn and was shot down flying Spitfire I, N3177 'T'. His body was washed ashore and is buried in Sage War Cemetery.
Sir Edouard Michael Fitzfrederick GRUNDY (26054) KBE, CB	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 Fencing.	He was commissioned on 28 Jul 1928 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 21 Aug 1928. He retired on 7 Jan 1966 in the rank of AM.	He was a graduate of the Imperial Defence College and the Joint Services Staff College.
Francis Peter HEWITT (26055) OBE	He entered the RAF College in 1926, was a member of B Sqn. He also represented the college in Soccer.	He was commissioned on 28 Jul 1928 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 21 Aug 1928. He retired on 17 Aug 1932 in the rank of Sqn Ldr. However he was recalled to service on 2 Sep 1939, reverting to the retired list on 19 Apr 1946 in the rank of Sqn Ldr.
John Wood HOMER (26056)	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.	He was commissioned on 28 Jul 1928 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 21 Aug 1928. He was killed in action on 17 Jul 1944 in the rank of Gp Capt.	He was killed whilst flying in Hudson III, V9106 of No 353 Sqn, which crashed out of control after stalling on take off from Mauripur following a double engine failure. He is buried in Karachi War Cemetery.
Cedric Barnes HUGHES (26057)	He entered the RAF College in 1926, was a member of B Sqn. He also represented the college in Soccer and Hockey. On graduating he was awarded the Hyde Thompson Memorial Prize.	He was commissioned on 28 Jul 1928 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 21 Aug 1928. He retired on 14 Jul 1945 in the rank of Wg Cdr.
James Ernest JORGENSEN (26058)	He entered the RAF College in 1926 and was a member of A Sqn.	He was commissioned on 28 Jul 1928 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 21 Aug 1928. He was killed in a flying accident on 17 Jun 1929 in the rank of Plt Off.	He was killed in a flying accident flying Siskin IIIDC, J9196 of No 3 Sqn when the wings of the aircraft folded up during aerobatics.
Edward James LAINE (26059) CBE, 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 Soccer and Hockey.	He was commissioned on 28 Jul 1928 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 21 Aug 1928. He retired on 1 Jun 1955 in the rank of Gp Capt.
John Griffith LLEWELYN (26060)	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 and Rugby.	He was commissioned on 28 Jul 1928 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 21 Aug 1928. He was killed in action on 23 May 1940 in the rank of Wg Cdr.	He was killed whilst flying in Blenheim IV, P4909 of No 40 Sqn, which was shot down by flak in the Pas-de-Calais on a raid to Arras-Boulogne. He is buried in Beuvry Communal Cemetery.
John MUTCH (26061) CBE, CEng, FIMechE	He entered the RAF College in 1926, was a member of A Sqn and attained the rank of Flt Cdt Cpl, having been awarded a scholarship as an apprentice at Cranwell. He also represented the college in Athletics and Soccer.	He was commissioned on 28 Jul 1928 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 21 Aug 1928. He retired on 1 Oct 1958 in the rank of A/Cdre.	Cranwell
John Jervis OWEN (26062)	He entered the RAF College in 1926, was a member of A Sqn. He also represented the college in Rugby and Fencing.	He was commissioned on 28 Jul 1928 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 21 Aug 1928. He was reported missing in action on 6 Jul 1943 in the rank of Wg Cdr.	He was killed whilst flying in Wellington X, HF601 of No 466 Sqn, which is presumed to have crashed into the sea off the French coast during a Gardening sortie. He is buried in Le Conquet Communal Cemetery.
Charles Valancy John PRATT (26063) DSO	He entered the RAF College in 1926, was a member of Sqn and attained the rank of Flt Cdt Cpl.	He was commissioned on 28 Jul 1928 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 21 Aug 1928. He was reported missing in action on 14 Dec 1942 in the rank of Wg Cdr.	He was killed whilst flying in Wellington VIII, HF913 'R' of No 38 Sqn, which failed to return from and anti-shipping strike off Tripoli. He is commemorated on the Alamein Memorial.
Herbert John PRINGLE (26064) AFC	He entered the RAF College in 1926, was a member of A Sqn and attained the rank of Flt Cdt Sgt. On graduating he was awarded the Humanistics Prize.	He was commissioned on 28 Jul 1928 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 21 Aug 1928. He retired on 28 Sep 1951 in the rank of Gp Capt.	He was a graduate of the Joint Services Staff College and the Central Flying School.
Charles RYLEY (26065) DFC	He entered the RAF College in 1926 and was a member of A Sqn.	He was commissioned on 28 Jul 1928 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 21 Aug 1928. He retired due to being unfit for Air Force service on 23 Sep 1949 in the rank of Gp Capt.	He possibly died in Rhodesia on 23-Dec-1955.
Sir Laurence Frank SINCLAIR (26066) GC, KCB, CBE, DSO and Bar	He entered the RAF College in 1926 and was a member of B Sqn.	He was commissioned on 28 Jul 1928 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 21 Aug 1928. He retired on 29 Jul 1960 in the rank of AVM.	He was a graduate of the Imperial Defence College, the RAF Staff College and the Central Flying School.
Richard Alfonso SPRAGUE (26067) DFC	He entered the RAF College in 1926, was a member of B Sqn. He also represented the college in Cricket.	He was commissioned on 28 Jul 1928 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 21 Aug 1928. He was killed in action on 18 Nov 1942 in the rank of Wg Cdr.	He was probably killed whilst flying in Beaufort I, DE118 of No 47 Sqn, which crashed into high ground during a torpedo practice and was destroyed when the torpedo exploded in the subsequent fire. He is buried in El Alamein War Cemetery.
John Noel Tracy STEPHENSON (26068) CB, CBE	He entered the RAF College in 1926, was a member of B Sqn and attained the rank of Flt Cdt Sgt.	He was commissioned on 28 Jul 1928 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 21 Aug 1928. He retired on 29 May 1959 in the rank of AVM.	He was a graduate of the RAF Staff College and the Central Flying School.
John-Arthur Charles STRATTON (26069) CBE	He entered the RAF College in 1926, was a member of B Sqn and attained the rank of Flt Cdt Cpl.	He was commissioned on 28 Jul 1928 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 21 Aug 1928. He retired on 24 Aug 1957 in the rank of Gp Capt.	He was a graduate of the Central Flying School.
Geoffrey Nicolas Ernest TINDAL-CARILL-WORSLEY (26070) CB, 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 Fencing. On graduating he was awarded the R M Groves Memorial Prize.	He was commissioned on 28 Jul 1928 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 21 Aug 1928. He retired on 29 Aug 1960 in the rank of A/Cdre.	He transferred to the Technical Branch. He was a graduate of the Imperial Defence College and the Joint Services Staff College.
Arnold WALL (26071) OBE	He entered the RAF College in 1926, was a member of A Sqn. He also represented the college in Fencing.	He was commissioned on 28 Jul 1928 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 21 Aug 1928. He retired on 24 Feb 1951 in the rank of Gp Capt.	He was a graduate of the RAF Staff College.
Arthur Lewin WEAIT (26072)	He entered the RAF College in 1926, was a member of A Sqn and attained the rank of Flt Cdt Cpl, having been awarded a scholarship as an apprentice at Cranwell. He also represented the college in Athletics and Soccer.	He was commissioned on 28 Jul 1928 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 21 Aug 1928. He died in service on 2 Jan 1933 in the rank of Fg Off.	He was serving at Cranwell and was killed near Oakham
Nicholas Erskine WHITE (26073)	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, Cricket, Rugby and Hockey. On graduating he was awarded the Sword of Honour.	He was commissioned on 28 Jul 1928 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 21 Aug 1928. He was killed in a flying accident on 6 May 1932 in the rank of Fg Off.	He was killed whilst flying an Avro 504 of the the Central Flying School which collided with another of the same unit near Wittering whilst flying in formation.
Sir Frank WHITTLE (26074) KBE, CB, FRS, LLD	He entered the RAF College in 1926, was a member of B Sqn, having been awarded a scholarship as an apprentice at Cranwell. On graduating he was awarded the Abdy Gerrard Fellows Memorial Prize.	He was commissioned on 28 Jul 1928 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 21 Aug 1928. He retired on 26 Aug 1948 in the rank of A/Cdre.	Whilst at Cranwell he wrote a paper detailing the concept of the jet engine and later went on to put his theories into practice.
Rolf Dudley WILLIAMS (26075)	He entered the RAF College in 1926 and was a member of B Sqn.	He was commissioned on 28 Jul 1928 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 21 Aug 1928. He retired on 1 Nov 1934 in the rank of Fg Off.
William Robert WORSTALL (26076) OBE, CEng, FIMechE,	He entered the RAF College in 1926, was a member of A Sqn. He also represented the college in Athletics and Soccer.	He was commissioned on 28 Jul 1928 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 21 Aug 1928. He retired on 15 Feb 1957 retaining the rank of A/Cdre.
Sir James Alfred EASTON (26098) KCMG, CB, CBE	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 Soccer.	He was commissioned on 6 Dec 1928 in the rank of Pilot Officer on probation which was gazetted on 18 Jan 1929. He retired on 12 Feb 1949 in the rank of A/Cdre.

The following cadets graduated from the RAF College at Cranwell on 14 December 1928. The reviewing officer at the graduation parade was Marshal of the RAF Sir Hugh Trenchard GCB, DSO, DCL, LLD (Chief of the Air Staff)

Personal details	College details	RAF Details	Comments
David Walter BAYNE (26077)	He entered the RAF College in 1926 and was a member of A Sqn.	He was commissioned on 15 Dec 1928 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 18 Jan 1929. He retired on 29 Aug 1955 in the rank of Gp Capt (Acting A/Cdre).	He was a graduate of the RAF Staff College.
Frank Day LOCKWOOD (26088)	He entered the RAF College in 1926, was a member of A Sqn. He also represented the college in Athletics.	He was commissioned on 15 Dec 1928 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 18 Jan 1929. He retired on 5 May 1932 in the rank of Fg Off.
Joseph Henry MANNING-FOX (26089)	He entered the RAF College in 1926, was a member of B Sqn. He also represented the college in Soccer.	He was commissioned on 15 Dec 1928 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 18 Jan 1929. He retired on 7 Jul 1934 in the rank of Fg Off.
William Richard BEAMAN (26078) OBE	He entered the RAF College in 1927, was a member of B Sqn. He also represented the college in Boxing and Rugby.	He was commissioned on 15 Dec 1928 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 18 Jan 1929. He retired on 13 Jun 1955 in the rank of Gp Capt.
Guy Pendrill CHARLES (26079) OBE	He entered the RAF College in 1927, was a member of A Sqn and attained the rank of Flt Cdt Under Officer. He also represented the college in Athletics and Rugby. On graduating he was awarded the Sword of Honour.	He was commissioned on 15 Dec 1928 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 18 Jan 1929. He was killed in action on 13 Jan 1942 in the rank of Wg Cdr.	He was serving as the 13 Corps Air Adviser and was killed whilst flying Hurricane, ? of No 208 Sqn, which was shot down shortly after taking off from Antelat on a radio test. He is buried in Benghazi War Cemetery.
Kenneth Ronald COATES (26080)	He entered the RAF College in 1927, was a member of B Sqn and attained the rank of Flt Cdt Cpl.	He was commissioned on 15 Dec 1928 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 18 Jan 1929. He retired on 13 Jun 1957 in the rank of Gp Capt.	He was a graduate of the Joint Services Staff College.
Douglas Joyce EAYRS (26081) CB, CBE, DFC	He entered the RAF College in 1927, was a member of B Sqn and attained the rank of Flt Cdt Cpl.	He was commissioned on 15 Dec 1928 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 18 Jan 1929. He retired on 15 Aug 1956 in the rank of Gp Capt.	He was a graduate of the Central Flying School.
Hugh Washbourne GIBBS (26082)	He entered the RAF College in 1927 and was a member of A Sqn.	He was commissioned on 15 Dec 1928 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 18 Jan 1929. He died in service on 12 Apr 1929 in the rank of Plt Off.
Frank Louis Peregrine HENZELL (26083)	He entered the RAF College in 1927, was a member of A Sqn and attained the rank of Flt Cdt Sgt.	He was commissioned on 15 Dec 1928 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 18 Jan 1929. He retired on 1 Sep 1938 in the rank of Flt Lt.
Sir Edmund Cuthbert HUDLESTON (26084) GCB, CBE	He entered the RAF College in 1927, was a member of B Sqn and attained the rank of Flt Cdt Under Officer. He also represented the college in Cricket and Squash.	He was commissioned on 15 Dec 1928 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 18 Jan 1929. He retired on 5 Jun 1967 in the rank of ACM.	He was a graduate of the Imperial Defence College, the RAF Staff College and the Central Flying School.
Robert Carter JONAS (26085) OBE	He entered the RAF College in 1927, was a member of A Sqn and attained the rank of Flt Cdt Cpl. He also represented the college in Boxing.	He was commissioned on 15 Dec 1928 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 18 Jan 1929. He retired on 29 Nov 1957 in the rank of A/Cdre.	He was a graduate of the RAF Staff College and the Central Flying School.
David Pellew LASCELLES (26086)	He entered the RAF College in 1927, was a member of A Sqn and attained the rank of Flt Cdt Cpl. He also represented the college in Athletics and Hockey. On graduating he was awarded the R M Groves Memorial Prize.	He was commissioned on 15 Dec 1928 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 18 Jan 1929. He was killed in action on 17 Jan 1941 in the rank of Wg Cdr.	He was killed in the sinking of the SS Zealandic, which was sunk by the U-106 and is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.
Robert Wilfrid LETCHWORTH (26087)	He entered the RAF College in 1927, was a member of A Sqn and attained the rank of Flt Cdt Cpl. He also represented the college in Athletics and Rugby.	He was commissioned on 15 Dec 1928 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 18 Jan 1929. He resigned his permanent commission on ? in the rank of Fg Off.
Herbert Macdonald PEARSON (26090) CBE	He entered the RAF College in 1927, was a member of B Sqn and attained the rank of Flt Cdt Cpl.	He was commissioned on 15 Dec 1928 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 18 Jan 1929. He retired on 31 Jul 1955 in the rank of A/Cdre.	He was a graduate of the Central Flying School.
Henry Gordon RICHARDS (26091) OBE	He entered the RAF College in 1927, was a member of B Sqn. He also represented the college in Soccer.	He was commissioned on 15 Dec 1928 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 18 Jan 1929. He retired on 1 Jan 1951 in the rank of Flt Lt.
James Derrick RUTHERFORD (26092)	He entered the RAF College in 1927, was a member of B Sqn and attained the rank of Flt Cdt Sgt. He also represented the college in Soccer.	He was commissioned on 15 Dec 1928 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 18 Jan 1929. He retired on 10 Jan 1959 in the rank of Gp Capt.
James Rowland SCARLETT-STREATFIELD (26093) CBE	He entered the RAF College in 1927, was a member of B Sqn and attained the rank of Flt Cdt Sgt.	He was commissioned on 15 Dec 1928 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 18 Jan 1929. He was killed in action on 10 May 1945 in the rank of AVM (Acting).	He was killed whilst flying in Stirling IV, LK297 of No 190 Sqn, which was lost without a trace on a flight to Oslo but the wreckage was found on 21 June having flown into high ground 10 miles north of the city. He is buried in Oslo Western Civil Cemetery.
Bryant Thomas SHELLEY (26094)	He entered the RAF College in 1927, was a member of A Sqn after being awarded a scholarship as an apprentice at Flowerdown. He also represented the college in Soccer. On graduating he was awarded the Abdy Gerrard Fellows Memorial Prize and the Hyde Thompson Memorial Prize.	He was commissioned on 15 Dec 1928 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 18 Jan 1929. He died in service on 27 May 1936 in the rank of Flt Lt.
Francis Claude STURGISS (26095) OBE	He entered the RAF College in 1927, was a member of A Sqn after being awarded a scholarship as an apprentice at Flowerdown. He also represented the college in Soccer.	He was commissioned on 15 Dec 1928 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 18 Jan 1929. He retired on 21 Aug 1954 in the rank of Gp Capt.
Edgar Richard Merton WALKER (26096)	He entered the RAF College in 1927, was a member of B Sqn and attained the rank of Flt Cdt Cpl.	He was commissioned on 15 Dec 1928 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 18 Jan 1929. He retired on 3 Apr 1957 in the rank of Wg Cdr.	He was a graduate of the RAF Staff College.
John Gerard Willsley WESTON (26097) CB, OBE	He entered the RAF College in 1927, was a member of A Sqn and attained the rank of Flt Cdt Sgt. He also represented the college in Athletics, Cricket and Boxing. On graduating he was awarded the Humanistics Prize.	He was commissioned on 15 Dec 1928 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 18 Jan 1929. He retired on 11 Apr 1964 in the rank of AVM.	He was a graduate of the Imperial Defence College.

1927 1929

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