Air Vice-Marshal A J Capel
Arthur John b: 11 Dec 1894 r: 3 Nov 1945 d: 18 Apr 1979
Commanded Old Sarum 29th July 1936
CB - 1 Jan 1943, DSO - 20 Nov 1925, DFC - 18 Jan 1925, MiD - 11 Jul 1940, MiD - 8 Jun 1944, MiD – 1 Jan 1946, JP – 1946, DL (Somerset) – 12 Jun 1952, Shf (Somerset) – 10 Mar 1952.
(Army): - 2 Lt: 11 Nov 1914, Lt: 9 Mar 1916, (T) Capt: 16 Apr 1916, (T) Maj: 30 Jul 1917.
(RAF): - (T) Maj [Capt]: 1 Apr 1918, Flt Lt: 1 Aug 1919 [1 Apr 1918], Sqn Ldr: 1 Jan 1923, Wg Cdr: 1 Jan 1931, Gp Capt: 1 Jan 1937, A/Cdre: 1 Apr 1939, Act AVM: 1-27 Jun 1940; 24 Mar 1941, (T) AVM: 1 Dec 1942, AVM: Retained.
Attended RMC Sandhurst.
11 Nov 1914: Officer, Somerset Light Infantry.
3 Nov 1915: Flying Officer (Observer), No 4 Sqn RFC.
16 Apr 1916: Flight Commander, No ? Sqn RFC.
1917: Flight Commander, No 1 Sqn RFC. (Nieuport 17, Nieuport 27 – Western Front)
30 Jul 1917: Officer Commanding, No 94 Sqn RFC .
28 Feb 1919: Officer Commanding, No 92 Sqn. (SE5A – Germany)
1 Aug 1919: Resigned his commission in the Somerset Light Infantry on appointment to a Permanent Commission in the RAF.
1 Aug 1919: Awarded Permanent Commission as a Captain
Aug 1919: Officer Commanding, No 43 Sqn. (Snipe – Germany/Spittlegate)
23 Dec 1919: Staff, Ground Wing, RAF (Cadet) College.
3 Apr 1922: Adjutant, HQ RAF Cranwell.
19 Jan 1923: Instructor, RAF (Cadet) College (Ground Wing).
26 Mar 1923: Staff, RAF (Cadet) College.
23 Nov 1923: Officer Commanding, No 5 Sqn. (Bristol F2B – India)
5 Nov 1928: Supernumerary, RAF Depot.
11 Mar 1929: Staff, School of Army Co-operation.
21 Jan 1931: Attended Army Staff College, Camberley.
4 - 22 Jan 1933: Placed on half pay list, scale A
23 Jan 1933: Staff, HQ No 22 Group.
21 Dec 1934: Directing Staff, Army Staff College, Camberley.
29 Jul 1936: Commandant, School of Army Co-operation/OC, RAF Old Sarum
1939: Attended Imperial Defence College.
1939: SASO, HQ Air Component of the BEF. (originally appointed as AOA)
27 Jun 1940: Director of Operational Training
24 Mar 1941: AOC, No 20 (Training) Group
Jul 1941: Air Officer - Training, HQ Bomber Command.
He gained RAeC Certificate No 1615 on 19 August 1915. In 1925 he was involved in 'Pink's War', for which he received the DSO. During this period he was captured by dissident tribesmen, but still managed to direct operations. He was a member of Somerset County Council. from 1962 – 64.
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