John Davis (RAF officer)

Sir John Davis
Born 24 March 1911
Whitby, North Yorkshire
Died 3 February 1989
Allegiance  United Kingdom
Service/branch  Royal Air Force
Years of service 1938–1969
Rank Air Chief Marshal
Commands held No. 269 Squadron
RAF Topcliffe
No. 1 Group
RAF Malta
RAF Flying Training Command
RAF Training Command
Battles/wars World War II
Awards Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath
Officer of the Order of the British Empire
Other work Lieutenant Governor of Jersey

Air Chief Marshal Sir John Gilbert Davis GCB OBE (24 March 1911 – 3 February 1989) was a Royal Air Force officer who became Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief at RAF Training Command.

RAF career

Davis joined the Royal Air Force in 1933.[1] He became a pilot and then attended specialist training in navigation before being appointed a Navigation Staff Officer at Headquarters RAF Training Command in 1939.[1] He served in World War II initially on secondment to the Turkish Air Force and then as Officer Commanding No. 269 Squadron.[1]

After the War he attended RAF Staff College and then joined the directing staff there.[1] He was appointed Group Captain, Air Plans at Headquarters Middle East Air Force in 1951, Station Commander at RAF Topcliffe in 1953 and Director of Plans at the Air Ministry in 1955.[1] He went on to be Senior Air Staff Officer at Headquarters RAF Bomber Command in 1958, Air Officer Commanding No. 1 Group in 1959 and Air Officer Commanding RAF Malta in 1961.[1] His last appointments were as Air Member for Supply and Organisation in 1963, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief at RAF Flying Training Command in 1966 and Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief at RAF Training Command in 1968 before retiring in 1969.[1]

In retirement he became Lieutenant Governor of Jersey.[2]

Honours and awards

References

Military offices
Preceded by
Sir John Baker-Carr
(acting)
Air Member for Supply and Organisation
1963 – 1966
Succeeded by
Sir Charles Broughton
Preceded by
Sir Patrick Dunn
Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief Flying Training Command
1966–1968
Succeeded by
Post Disbanded
Preceded by
New Post
Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief Training Command
1968–1969
Succeeded by
Sir Leslie Mavor
Government offices
Preceded by
Sir Michael Villiers
Lieutenant Governor of Jersey
1969 – 1974
Succeeded by
Sir Desmond Fitzpatrick