21 Facts About Eric Betts

Eric Bourne Coulter Betts was an Irish air officer of the British Royal Air Force.

Eric Betts began his career in the Royal Naval Air Service during the First World War.

Eric Betts became a flying ace credited with six aerial victories, although acedom was incidental to his more important mission of long range photographic reconnaissance, for which he was decorated.

Eric Betts remained in military service post-war, rising through the ranks of the Royal Air Force to group captain just before the Second World War began.

Eric Betts retired in that rank post-war, on 10 March 1946.

Eric Bourne Coulter Betts was born in Dalkey, Dublin, Ireland, on 24 January 1897.

Eric Betts was commissioned as a temporary sub-lieutenant in the RNVR on 14 October 1915.

Eric Betts was seconded for duty in the Royal Naval Air Service, and assigned to No 2 Squadron as an aerial observer.

Eric Betts received the Distinguished Service Cross and the French Croix de guerre with Palm for this sortie.

Eric Betts was promoted to flight observer on 31 December 1917, and remained with No 2 Naval Squadron when it became No 202 Squadron of the newly formed Royal Air Force on 1 April 1918.

Eric Betts was granted a permanent commission in the RAF on 1 August 1919 with the rank of lieutenant.

On 28 February 1922 Eric Betts left Pegasus, and was posted to the RAF Depot as a supernumerary, before attending the RAF Staff College, Andover from 3 April 1922.

Eric Betts was one of the first students at the Staff College, which had only just opened under the command of Air Commodore Robert Brooke-Popham.

Eric Betts went upon foreign service next, being assigned to the Air Staff at Headquarters, British Forces Aden on 16 November 1929.

Eric Betts would remain there until being returned to Britain and deemed supernumerary on 5 March 1932.

On 1 April 1939, Eric Betts was promoted to group captain, becoming the Deputy Director of War Organisation.

Eric Betts was promoted to acting air vice-marshal on 14 March 1943, and served as Air Officer in Charge of Administration, Middle East Command, from 26 March.

Eric Betts was promoted to the war substantive rank of air commodore on 14 March 1944, and then to air commodore on 1 December 1944, retaining his rank of acting air vice-marshal until 16 December 1944, following his return to England early that month.

Eric Betts received a mention in despatches on 1 January 1945.

Eric Betts finally retired from the RAF on 10 March 1946, retaining the rank of air vice-marshal.

Eric Betts died on 30 March 1971, and is buried alongside his wife in the churchyard of St Barrahane's Church of Ireland, Castletownshend, County Cork.