Denis Spotswood

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Denis Frank Spotswood
26 September 1916 – 11 November 2001
Marshal of the Royal Air Force Sir Denis Spotswood Crown Copyright
Allegiance	United Kingdom
Service/branch	Royal Air Force
Years of service	1936–1974
Rank	Marshal of the Royal Air Force
Battles/wars	World War II
Awards	GCB, CBE, DSO, DFC

Marshal of the Royal Air Force Sir Denis Frank Spotswood GCB, CBE, DSO, DFC RAF (26 September 1916–11 November 2001) was a senior commander in the Royal Air Force.

[edit] RAF career

Educated at Kingston Grammar School he joined the Royal Air Force in 1936.

He joined the Royal Air Force in 1936 and spent World War II in Europe, North Africa and South East Asia: he was mentioned in despatches twice.

He was appointed Air Officer Commanding No. 3 Bomber Group in 1964, Commander-in-Chief RAF Germany in 1965 and Commander-in-Chief Strike Command in 1968. He served as Chief of the Air Staff from 1 April 1971 to 31 March 1974. During Spotswood's tenure, Prince Charles completed his flying training and, as Chief of the Air Staff, Spotswood presented Prince Charles with his 'wings'.

[edit] Later life

In retirement he became a director of Rolls-Royce and of Smiths Industries.

[edit] References

• Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation - MRAF Spotswood
• Probert, H. (1991). High Commanders of the Royal Air Force. HMSO. ISBN 0-11-772635-4

Military offices
Preceded by Sir Ronald Lees	Commander-in-Chief RAF Germany 1965–1968	Succeeded by C Foxley-Norris
Preceded by Sir Wallace Kyle	Commander-in-Chief Strike Command 1968–1971	Succeeded by Sir Andrew Humphrey
Preceded by Sir John Grandy	Chief of the Air Staff 1971–1974	Succeeded by Sir Andrew Humphrey

v • d • e Chiefs of the Air Staff of the Royal Air Force Sir Hugh Trenchard • Sir Frederick Sykes • Sir Hugh Trenchard • Sir John Salmond • Sir Geoffrey Salmond • Sir John Salmond • Sir Edward Ellington • Sir Cyril Newall • Sir Charles Portal • Sir Arthur Tedder • Sir John Slessor • Sir William Dickson • Sir Dermot Boyle • Sir Thomas Pike • Sir Charles Elworthy • Sir John Grandy • Sir Denis Spotswood • Sir Andrew Humphrey • Sir Neil Cameron • Sir Michael Beetham • Sir Keith Williamson • Sir David Craig • Sir Peter Harding • Sir Michael Graydon • Sir Richard Johns • Sir Peter Squire • Sir Jock Stirrup • Sir Glenn Torpy