21 Facts About Denis Spotswood

Denis Spotswood fought in the Second World War as a flying boat pilot and then as a coastal reconnaissance squadron commander during Operation Torch, the invasion of North Africa.

Denis Spotswood served as a station commander in the late 1940s and early 1950s before becoming a senior air commander in the late 1950s.

Denis Spotswood decided to change career and joined the Royal Air Force, being commissioned as an acting pilot officer on 14 April 1936 and, after completing flying training, he was confirmed in the appointment on 6 January 1937.

Denis Spotswood was posted to No 220 Squadron flying Ansons from RAF Bircham Newton in 1936 in January 1937 and then transferred to No 201 Squadron flying Southampton flying boats from RAF Calshot in October 1937 and then to No 209 Squadron flying Singapore and Stranraer flying boats from RAF Invergordon in February 1938.

Denis Spotswood served in the Second World War, initially undertaking patrols of the Western Approaches using the new Lerwick flying boats and then the new Catalina flying boats of No 209 Squadron.

Denis Spotswood was promoted to flight lieutenant on 3 September 1940, and mentioned in despatches on 24 September 1941.

Denis Spotswood was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross on 10 November 1942.

Denis Spotswood joined the Air Staff in the Directorate of Operations at the Air Ministry in April 1943, before attending the RAF Staff College, Bulstrode Park for much of the remainder of the year.

Denis Spotswood was mentioned in despatches again on 2 June 1943 and awarded the Distinguished Service Order on 28 September 1943.

Denis Spotswood was appointed Director of Plans at the Headquarters of the Supreme Allied Commander South East Asia in February 1944 and became a wing commander on a temporary basis on 1 July 1944 and on a war substantive basis on 11 August 1944.

Denis Spotswood was promoted to squadron leader on a permanent basis on 1 September 1945.

Denis Spotswood was sent on an exchange posting to the Tactical Operations Plans Branch at Headquarters United States Air Force in June 1952, and having been promoted to group captain on 1 January 1954, he became Station Commander at RAF Linton-on-Ouse in August 1954.

Denis Spotswood went on to be deputy director of Plans at the Air Ministry in October 1956 and, having been appointed Aide-de-Camp to the Queen on 18 June 1957, he became Commandant at the RAF College Cranwell in August 1958.

Denis Spotswood was promoted to air commodore on 1 January 1960.

Denis Spotswood went on to be Air Officer Commanding No 3 Bomber Group in August 1964 and Commander-in-Chief RAF Germany as well as Commander of the Second Tactical Air Force on 6 December 1965.

Denis Spotswood was promoted to air chief marshal on 1 November 1968, and appointed Air Aide-de-Camp to the Queen on 7 July 1970.

Denis Spotswood presented Prince Charles with his 'wings' at the end of his flying training in August 1971.

Denis Spotswood was promoted to Marshal of the Royal Air Force on 31 March 1974 and retired on the same day.

In retirement Denis Spotswood became Deputy Chairman of Rolls-Royce, a Director of Dowty Group and then a Director of Smiths Industries.

Denis Spotswood became Chairman of the Trustees of the RAF Museum and of the Royal Star and Garter Home.

Denis Spotswood died of cancer at Thamesfield Care Home in Henley-on-Thames on 11 November 2001.