| The Lord Cameron of Balhousie | |
|---|---|
Marshal of the Royal Air Force The Lord Cameron of Balhousie Crown Copyright |
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| Born | 8 July 1920 Perth, Scotland |
| Died | 29 January 1985 (aged 64) |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/branch | Royal Air Force |
| Years of service | 1939–1979 |
| Rank | Marshal of the Royal Air Force |
| Commands held | Chief of the Defence Staff Chief of the Air Staff |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Awards | Knight of the Order of the Thistle Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath Commander of the Order of the British Empire Distinguished Service Order Distinguished Flying Cross |
Marshal of the Royal Air Force Neil Cameron, Baron Cameron of Balhousie, KT, GCB, CBE, DSO, DFC (8 July 1920 – 29 January 1985) was a senior officer in the Royal Air Force. He served as the Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS) of the United Kingdom and thus the professional head of the British Armed Forces.
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Neil Cameron was born in the Scottish city of Perth on 8 July 1920, the only son and younger child of Neil Cameron (an inspector of the poor and a retired company sergeant major) and his wife, Isabella Stewart.[1] At only three weeks old, Cameron's father died and he and his sister were brought up by his mother and grandfather in Perth. Cameron attended the Northern District School and Perth Academy. In 1937 he took up employment with the Commercial Bank of Scotland[2] in the Fife town of Newburgh.
Cameron joined the RAF Volunteer Reserve in May 1939[3] and started his flying training as a sergeant pilot. Following the British declaration of war on Germany, Cameron was called up and posted to Hastings for initial training.[3] From March to September 1940 he completed his elementary pilot training, advanced training and operational training before being posted to No. 1 Squadron at RAF Wittering as a sergeant pilot flying Hurricanes.[3] Cameron was posted to No. 17 Squadron in October 1940[3] in time to take part in the final stages of the Battle of Britain.[2]
Following his commissioning in 1941,[3] Cameron flew in northern Russia.[3] Later in the War, he served with the Desert Air Force and by 1944 he was an acting squadron leader and he commanded No. 258 Squadron.[3] During his command, No. 258 Squadron operated in Burma and Cameron was awarded a Distinguished Flying Cross and a Distinguished Service Order for outstanding leadership.[4]
After the war he held various RAF appointments. Notably he was appointed Officer Commanding RAF Abingdon in 1960.[3] He became Assistant Chief of Defence Staff in 1968,[3] Deputy Commander RAF Germany in 1972[3] and Air Officer Commanding No. 46 Group in 1973.[3] He went on to serve as Air Member for Personnel in 1974.[3]
Cameron was Chief of the Air Staff from 7 August 1976 to 9 August 1977 and then Chief of the Defence Staff from 31 August 1977 to 31 August 1979.[3]
In retirement he became Principal of King's College London. In 1983 he was made a life peer as Baron Cameron of Balhousie, in the District of Perth and Kinross.[1]
| Military offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Sir Denis Crowley-Milling |
Air Officer Commanding No. 46 Group 1973–1974 |
Succeeded by N E Hoad |
| Preceded by Sir Harold Martin |
Air Member for Personnel 1974–1976 |
Succeeded by Sir John Aiken |
| Preceded by Sir Andrew Humphrey |
Chief of the Air Staff 1976–1977 |
Succeeded by Sir Michael Beetham |
| Preceded by Sir Edward Ashmore |
Chief of the Defence Staff 1977–1979 |
Succeeded by The Lord Lewin |
| Academic offices | ||
| Preceded by Richard Way |
Principal of King's College London 1980–1985 |
Succeeded by Lord Sutherland of Houndwood |
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