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
| Military offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Sir Francis Fogarty |
Air Member for Personnel 1957–1959 |
Succeeded by Sir Hubert Patch |
| Preceded by Sir Gilbert Nicholetts |
Inspector-General of the RAF 1959 – 1962 |
Succeeded by Sir Paterson Fraser |