Alan Lees
| Sir Alan Lees | |
|---|---|
|
The new Air Officer Commanding No. 222 (General Reconnaissance) Group RAF, Air Vice Marshal Alan Lees (left), is greeted upon arrival at Ratmalana, Ceylon, by his predecessor Air Vice Marshal J H D'Albiac, 1942. | |
| Born |
23 May 1895 Ashton-under-Lyne, Greater Manchester |
| Died | 14 August 1973 (aged 78) |
| Allegiance |
 United Kingdom |
| Service/branch |
 British Army Royal Air Force |
| Years of service | 1914-1949 |
| Rank | Air Marshal |
| Commands held |
No. 56 Squadron No. 1 (Indian Wing) RAF Driffield No. 2 Group No. 222 (General Reconnaissance) Group Reserve Command |
| Battles/wars |
First World War Second World War |
| Awards |
Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath Commander of the Order of the British Empire Distinguished Service Order Air Force Cross |
Air Marshal Sir Alan Lees KCB, CBE, DSO, AFC (23 May 1895 - 14 August 1973) was a Royal Air Force officer who became Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief RAF Reserve Command.
RAF career
Educated at Wellington College and the Royal Military College, Sandhurst,[1] Lees was commissioned into the Royal West Kent Regiment in 1914 at the start of the First World War.[2] He became a pilot in 1915 and while serving on the Western Front was wounded and taken prisoner in 1917.[2] After the War he transferred to the new Royal Air Force and in 1928 became Officer Commanding No. 56 Squadron.[2] He was appointed Officer Commanding No. 1 (Indian Wing) in 1932, Station Commander at RAF Driffield in 1938 and then joined the staff at Headquarters RAF Bomber Command in 1939.[2]
He served in the Second World War as Air Officer Commanding No. 2 Group from 1941, Air Officer Commanding No. 222 (General Reconnaissance) Group from 1942 and Air Officer Administration at Headquarters Air Command South East Asia from 1944.[2] After the War he became Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief RAF Reserve Command before retiring in 1949.[2] In that role he introduced a tie[3] and trophy[4] for members of the Air Training Corps.
References
- ↑ Bomber Command Commanders of World War II
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation - Air Marshal Sir Alan Lees
- ↑ Recognition Aid Flight International, 18 August 1949
- ↑ 1475 (Dulwich) Squadron strive and win! Air Cadets London and South East Region
| Military offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by E D H Davies |
Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief Reserve Command 1946 –1949 |
Succeeded by Sir Robert Foster |