List of Royal Flying Corps generals

The following is a list of Royal Flying Corps generals. While officially general officers are not considered to belong to any regiment or corps (simply being "late" of their erstwhile regiment), in practice almost all the general officers to hold a Royal Flying Corps-related appointment gained their promotion to the general officer ranks in that appointment and remained in such appointments until the creation of the Royal Air Force on 1 April 1918. Royal Flying Corps generals then became Royal Air Force generals.

Two officers took up Royal Flying Corps related appointments while holding general officer rank: David Henderson was already a brigadier-general when the Royal Flying Corps was established, and Edward Ellington was promoted to brigadier-general while serving on the General Staff of the British VIII Corps in France, prior to taking up appointment as Deputy Director-General of Military Aeronautics. Conversely, Duncan MacInnes gained his promotion to brigadier-general while serving at the Military Aeronautics Directorate but subsequently served with the Royal Engineers.

Senior generals

Ranks indicated are the highest rank the officer obtained while in the RFC.

Portrait General Highest rank Promoted Brig-Gen Promoted Maj-Gen Promoted Lt-Gen Notes
Sir David HendersonLieutenant-General4 April 190826 October 191424 March 1916[1]Promoted to brigadier-general before creation of Royal Flying Corps. Temporary promotion to lieutenant-general 24 March 1916, substantive promotion 1 January 1917.[2]
Sir Hugh TrenchardMajor-General25 August 191524 March 1916[1]N/ATemporary promotion to major-general 24 March 1916, substantive promotion 1 January 1917. Subsequently promoted to Marshal of the Royal Air Force.[3]
W S BranckerMajor-General18 December 191522 June 1917N/ATemporary promotion to major-general 22 June 1917, rank made substantive in the RAF on 3 January 1918. Subsequently granted the equivalent rank of air vice-marshal.[4]
J M SalmondMajor-General1 February 1916[5]22 June 1917N/ATemporary promotion to major-general 22 June 1917, rank made substantive in the RAF on 1 April 1918. Subsequently promoted to Marshal of the Royal Air Force.[6]
E B AshmoreMajor-General30 January 191630 July 1917N/ATemporary promotion to major-general 30 July 1917, later regraded to air vice marshal in the RAF before being substantively promoted to major-general in the British Army on 1 January 1924.[7]
C A H LongcroftMajor-General28 August 191618 October 1917N/ATemporary promotion to major-general on 18 October 1917, reverted to temporary brigadier-general on 29 April 1918, substantively promoted to air-vice marshal 1 July 1925.[8]
W G H SalmondMajor-General1 July 19163 January 1918N/ATemporary promotion to major-general 3 January 1918.[9] Later promoted to air chief marshal.[10]
T I Webb-BowenBrigadier-General1 February 1916[5]N/AN/ATemporary promotion to brigadier-general. Promotion to acting major-general in the RAF on 1 February 1919, substantively promoted to air vice-marshal 1 July 1925.[11]
H R M Brooke-PophamBrigadier-General12 March 1916N/AN/ATemporary promotion to brigadier-general. Later promoted to air chief marshal.[12]
D S MacInnesBrigadier-General27 March 1916N/AN/ATemporary promotion to brigadier-general on 27 March 1916.[13] Departed Royal Flying Corps duties in early 1917. Killed on the Western Front while holding the rank of brigadier-general on 23 May 1918.
D le G PitcherBrigadier-General1 April 1916N/AN/ATemporary promotion to brigadier-general. Permanent promotion to air commodore on 5 August 1919.[14]
J F A HigginsBrigadier-General25 August 1916N/AN/ATemporary promotion to brigadier-general followed by temporary promotion to major-general on 29 April 1918 in the RAF. Permanent promotion to air vice-marshal on 1 August 1919.[15]
P W GameBrigadier-General16 October 1916N/AN/ATemporary promotion to brigadier-general followed by temporary promotion to major-general on 14 October 1918 in the RAF. Permanent promotion to air vice-marshal on 1 January 1922.[16]
J H W BeckeBrigadier-General20 December 1916N/AN/ATemporary promotion to brigadier-general. Retired on 29 February 1920 with the honorary rank of brigadier-general in the RAF.[17]
E L EllingtonBrigadier-General14 January 1917N/AN/ATemporary promotion to brigadier-general on 14 January 1917 but not appointed to Royal Flying Corps duties until 20 November 1917. Temporary promotion to major-general in the RAF on 10 April 1918. Permanent promotion to air-vice marshal the following year. Subsequently promoted to Marshal of the Royal Air Force.[18]
G S ShephardBrigadier-General8 February 1917N/AN/ATemporary promotion to brigadier-general on 8 February 1917. Killed in a flying accident 19 January 1918.[19]
L E O CharltonBrigadier-General28 February 1917N/AN/ATemporary promotion to brigadier-general on 28 February 1917. Permanent promotion to air commodore on 5 August 1919.[20]
W B CaddellBrigadier-General4 April 1917N/AN/ATemporary promotion to brigadier-general on 4 April 1917. Retired from the RAF on 28 May 1919 with the honorary rank of brigadier-general.[21]
H C T DowdingBrigadier-General23 June 1917N/AN/ATemporary promotion to brigadier-general on 23 June 1917. Later promoted to air chief marshal.[22]
C G HoareBrigadier-General1 August 1917N/AN/ATemporary promotion to brigadier-general on 1 August 1917. Relinquished his commission on 24 May 1919 when hold the rank of brigadier-general.[23]
P L W HerbertBrigadier-General5 August 1917N/AN/ATemporary promotion to brigadier-general on 5 August 1917. Retired from the RAF on 3 December 1929 as an honorary air commodore.[24]
R E T HoggBrigadier-General5 August 1917N/AN/ATemporary promotion to brigadier-general on 5 August 1917. Retired from the RAF on 1 September 1919 as an honorary brigadier-general.[25]
G LivingstonBrigadier-General9 August 1917N/AN/ATemporary promotion to brigadier-general on 9 August 1917. Retired from the RAF on 14 February 1919 as an honorary brigadier-general.[26]
T C R HigginsBrigadier-General1 September 1917N/AN/ATemporary promotion to brigadier-general on 1 September 1917. Substantive promotion to air commodore on 30 June 1922 and retired from the RAF on 1 November 1929 in that rank.[27]
F L FestingBrigadier-General10 October 1917N/AN/ATemporary promotion to brigadier-general on 10 October 1917.[28] Retired from the RAF after the war.
E R Ludlow-HewittBrigadier-General17 October 1917N/AN/ATemporary promotion to brigadier-general on 17 October 1917. Substantive promotion to air commodore on 30 June 1923. Later promoted to air chief marshal.[29]
J G HearsonBrigadier-General28 October 1917N/AN/ATemporary promotion to brigadier-general on 28 October 1917. Substantive promotion to air commodore on 30 June 1923.[30]
A E BortonBrigadier-General14 December 1917N/AN/ATemporary promotion to brigadier-general on 14 December 1917. Substantive promotion to air commodore on 1 October 1922. Later promoted to air vice-marshal.[31]
A HugginsBrigadier-General22 December 1917N/AN/ATemporary promotion to brigadier-general on 22 December 1917. Retired from the RAF, retaining the rank, on 20 March 1919.[32]
C L N NewallBrigadier-General28 December 1917N/AN/ATemporary promotion to brigadier-general on 28 December 1917. Substantive promotion to air commodore on 1 January 1925. Later promoted to marshal of the RAF.[33]
R R Smith-BarryBrigadier-General27 January 1918N/AN/ATemporary promotion to brigadier-general on 27 January 1918.[34] Rank relinquished on 23 February 1918.[35] Promoted to substantive colonel in the RAF on 17 April 1918.[36]
A C CritchleyBrigadier-General4 March 1918N/AN/ATemporary promotion to brigadier-general on 4 March 1918. Retired from the RAF after the war. Rejoined during World War II and was promoted to air commodore on 1 June 1943.[37]
C F De S MurphyBrigadier-General6 March 1918N/AN/ATemporary promotion to brigadier-general on 6 March 1918. Retired from the RAF after the war.[38]

In addition to the above generals, Brigadier-General N J G Cameron was a member of the Royal Flying Corps reserve who had qualified as a military pilot. Unlike the above generals, Cameron never held a Royal Flying Corps appointment.[39]

General officer appointments and incumbents

War Office

Commands
  • General Officer Commanding, London Air Defence Area

Staff Officers
  • Brigadier General General Staff, Royal Flying Corps in the Field
  • Deputy Adjutant and Quartermaster General, Royal Flying Corps in the Field
  • Deputy Quartermaster General, Royal Flying Corps in the Field
  • Deputy Adjutant General, Royal Flying Corps in the Field

Brigades

In late 1915 brigades started to be established in the RFC and so brigadier-generals were created.

  • Brigadier-General Commanding, III Brigade
  • Brigadier-General Commanding, VII Brigade
  • Brigadier-General Commanding, VIII Brigade
  • Brigadier-General Commanding, IX Brigade
    • R E T Hogg (1918)
  • Brigadier-General Commanding, Middle East Brigade
  • Brigadier-General Commanding, Palestine Brigade
    • Direct command of GOC, RFC Middle East
    • A E Borton (1917–1918)
  • Brigadier-General Commanding, Training Brigade (Middle East)
    • P L W Herbert (1917–1918)
  • Brigadier-General Commanding, Training Brigade
  • Brigadier-General Commanding, Home Defence Brigade
  • Brigadier-General Commanding, Eastern Training Brigade
    • R E T Hogg (1917–1918)
  • Brigadier-General Commanding, Northern Training Brigade
  • Brigadier-General Commanding, Southern Training Brigade

References
  1. "No. 29534". The London Gazette. 4 April 1916. p. 3559.
  2. "Lieutenant General Sir David Henderson". Air of Authority – A History of RAF Organisation. Retrieved 9 October 2015.
  3. "Marshal of the RAF The Viscount Trenchard of Wolfeton". Air of Authority – A History of RAF Organisation. Retrieved 9 October 2015.
  4. "Air Vice-Marshal Sir Sefton Brancker". Air of Authority – A History of RAF Organisation. Retrieved 9 October 2015.
  5. "No. 29476". The London Gazette (Supplement). 15 February 1916. p. 1777.
  6. "Marshal of the RAF Sir John Salmond". Air of Authority – A History of RAF Organisation. Retrieved 9 October 2015.
  7. "Major-General E. B. Ashmore". Air of Authority – A History of RAF Organisation. Retrieved 9 October 2015.
  8. "No. 30375". The London Gazette (Supplement). 9 November 1917. p. 11640.
  9. Baker, Anne (2003). From Biplane to Spitfire: the life of Air Chief Marshal Sir Geoffrey Salmond KCB KCMG DSO. Barnsley: Leo Cooper. p. 120. ISBN 9780850529807.
  10. "Air Chief Marshal Sir Geoffrey Salmond". Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation. Retrieved 9 October 2015.
  11. "Air Vice-Marshal Sir Tom Webb-Bowen". Air of Authority – A History of RAF Organisation. Retrieved 9 October 2015.
  12. "Air Chief Marshal Sir Robert Brooke-Popham". Air of Authority – A History of RAF Organisation. Retrieved 9 October 2015.
  13. "No. 29543". The London Gazette. 11 April 1916. p. 3804.
  14. "Air Commodore D. le G. Pitcher". Air of Authority – A History of RAF Organisation. Retrieved 9 October 2015.
  15. "Air Marshal Sir John Higgins". Air of Authority – A History of RAF Organisation. Retrieved 9 October 2015.
  16. "Air Vice-Marshal Sir Philip Game". Air of Authority – A History of RAF Organisation. Retrieved 9 October 2015.
  17. "Brigadier-General J. H. W. Becke". Air of Authority – A History of RAF Organisation. Retrieved 9 October 2015.
  18. "Marshal of the RAF Sir Edward Ellington". Air of Authority – A History of RAF Organisation. Retrieved 9 October 2015.
  19. "Brigadier-General G. S. Shephard". Air of Authority – A History of RAF Organisation. Retrieved 9 October 2015.
  20. "Air Commodore L. E. O. Charlton". Air of Authority – A History of RAF Organisation. Retrieved 9 October 2015.
  21. "Brigadier-General W. B. Caddell". Air of Authority – A History of RAF Organisation. Retrieved 9 October 2015.
  22. "Air Chief Marshal Lord Dowding of Bentley Priory". Air of Authority – A History of RAF Organisation. Retrieved 9 October 2015.
  23. "Brigadier-General C G Hoare". Air of Authority – A History of RAF Organisation. Retrieved 29 April 2017.
  24. "Air Commodore P. L. W. Herbert". Air of Authority – A History of RAF Organisation. Retrieved 9 October 2015.
  25. "Brigadier-General R. E. T. Hogg". Air of Authority – A History of RAF Organisation. Retrieved 9 October 2015.
  26. "Brigadier-General G. Livingston". Air of Authority – A History of RAF Organisation. Retrieved 9 October 2015.
  27. "Air Commodore T. C. R. Higgins". Air of Authority – A History of RAF Organisation. Retrieved 9 October 2015.
  28. "No. 30411". The London Gazette. 30 November 1917. p. 12650.
  29. "Air Chief Marshal Sir Edgar Ludlow-Hewitt". Air of Authority – A History of RAF Organisation. Retrieved 9 October 2015.
  30. "Air Commodore J. G. Hearson". Air of Authority – A History of RAF Organisation. Retrieved 9 October 2015.
  31. "Air Vice-Marshal A. E. Borton". Air of Authority – A History of RAF Organisation. Retrieved 9 October 2015.
  32. "Brigadier-General A. Huggins". Air of Authority – A History of RAF Organisation. Retrieved 9 October 2015.
  33. "Marshal of the RAF The Lord Newall of Clifton upon Dunsmoor". Air of Authority – A History of RAF Organisation. Retrieved 9 October 2015.
  34. "No. 30515". The London Gazette (Supplement). 5 February 1918. p. 1805.
  35. "No. 30582". The London Gazette (Supplement). 15 March 1918. p. 3400.
  36. "No. 30640". The London Gazette. 19 April 1918. p. 4743..
  37. "Air Commodore A. C. Critchley". Air of Authority – A History of RAF Organisation. Retrieved 9 October 2015.
  38. "Brigadier-General C. F. De S. Murphy". Air of Authority – A History of RAF Organisation. Retrieved 9 October 2015.
  39. http://etheses.bham.ac.uk/6503/1/Harvey16PhD.pdf
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