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