John Whitley (RAF officer)

Sir John Whitley
Born 7 September 1905
Died 26 December 1997
Allegiance  United Kingdom
Service/branch  Royal Air Force
Years of service 1926–1962
Rank Air Marshal
Commands held No. 149 Squadron
RAF Linton-on-Ouse
RAF Lissett
No. 43 Base
No. 4 Group
No. 8 Group
RAF Karachi
No. 1 Group
Battles/wars World War II
Awards Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire
Companion of the Order of the Bath
Distinguished Service Order
Air Force Cross & Bar

Air Marshal Sir John Rene Whitley KBE CB DSO AFC & Bar (7 September 1905 26 December 1997) was a senior commander in the Royal Air Force during World War II and also in the post-War years.

RAF career

Whitley joined the Royal Air Force in 1926.[1] He served in World War II as Officer Commanding No. 149 Squadron and then as Station Commander at RAF Linton-on-Ouse.[1] He was shot down in 1943.[2] After evading capture, he continued his war service as Station Commander at RAF Lissett and then as Air Officer Commanding No. 43 Base.[1] He went on to be Air Officer Commanding No. 4 Group and then Air Officer Commanding No. 8 Group.[1]

After the War he served as Assistant Air Officer Administration at Headquarters Air Command South East Asia and then as Station Commander at RAF Karachi.[1] He was appointed Director of Organisation (Establishments) at the Air Ministry in 1947 and Air Officer Administration at Headquarters Second Tactical Air Force in 1951.[1] He went on to be Air Officer Commanding No. 1 Group in 1953, Air Member for Personnel in 1957 and Inspector-General of the RAF in 1959 before retiring in 1962.[1]

References

Military offices
Preceded by
Sir Francis Fogarty
Air Member for Personnel
1957–1959
Succeeded by
Sir Hubert Patch
Preceded by
Sir Gilbert Nicholetts
Inspector-General of the RAF
1959 1962
Succeeded by
Sir Paterson Fraser