| Sir Denis Frank Spotswood | |
|---|---|
Marshal of the Royal Air Force Sir Denis Spotswood Crown Copyright |
|
| Born | 26 September 1916 |
| Died | 11 November 2001 (aged 85) |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/branch | Royal Air Force |
| Years of service | 1936–1974 |
| Rank | Marshal of the Royal Air Force |
| Commands held | Chief of the Air Staff RAF Strike Command RAF Germany No. 3 Bomber Group |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Awards | Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath Commander of the Order of the British Empire Distinguished Service Order Distinguished Flying Cross Mentioned in Despatches (2) Legion of Merit (United States) |
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.
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Educated at Kingston Grammar School, Spotswood joined the Evening Standard as a trainee journalist in 1932.[1] He decided to join the Royal Air Force in 1936.[2] He served in World War II becoming Officer Commanding No. 500 Squadron in 1942 before being appointed Director of Plans at the Headquarters of the Supreme Allied Commander South East Asia.[2] He was Mentioned in Despatches twice.[2]
After the War he joined the Directing Staff at the RAF Staff College, Bracknell before becoming Officer Commanding RAF Horsham St Faith in 1947 and then RAF Coltishall in 1948.[2] He joined the Directing Staff at the Imperial Defence College in 1950 before becoming Officer Commanding RAF Linton-on-Ouse in 1954, Deputy Director of Plans at the Air Ministry in 1956 and Commandant at RAF College Cranwell in 1958.[2] He went on to be Assistant Chief of the Staff (Air Defence) at SHAPE in 1961.[2]
He was appointed Air Officer Commanding No. 3 Bomber Group in 1964,[2] Commander-in-Chief RAF Germany in 1965[2] and Commander-in-Chief RAF Strike Command in 1968.[2] He served as Chief of the Air Staff from 1 April 1971 to 31 March 1974.[2] During Spotswood's tenure, Prince Charles completed his flying training and, as Chief of the Air Staff, Spotswood presented Prince Charles with his 'wings'.[2]
In retirement he became a director of Rolls-Royce and of Smiths Industries.[2]
| Military offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Sir Ronald Lees |
Commander-in-Chief RAF Germany Also Commander of the Second Tactical Air Force 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 |