Denis Spotswood

Sir Denis Frank Spotswood
Marshal of the Royal Air Force Sir Denis Spotswood Crown Copyright
Born	26 September 1916(1916-09-26)
Died	11 November 2001(2001-11-11) (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.

RAF career

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]

Later life

In retirement he became a director of Rolls-Royce and of Smiths Industries.^[2]

Honours and awards

• Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath – 1 Jan 1971 (KCB – 10 Jun 1966, CB – 1 Jan 1961)
• Commander of the Order of the British Empire - 1 Jan 1946
• Distinguished Service Order – 28 Sep 1943
• Distinguished Flying Cross – 10 Nov 1942
• Mentioned in Despatches - 24 Sep 1941, 2 Jun 1943
• Officer of the Legion of Merit (United States) – 9 Mar 1948
• Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society - 1975

References

1. ^ Probert, p. 70
2. ^ ^{a b c d e f g h i j k l} Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation - Marshal of the Royal Air Force Sir Denis Spotswood

• Probert, H. (1991). High Commanders of the Royal Air Force. HMSO. ISBN 0-11-772635-4

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

Persondata
Name	Spotswood, Denis
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	26 September 1916
Place of birth
Date of death	11 November 2001
Place of death