Looking to Identify NZers who held high rank in the RAF

[flyinghilly]

Greetings

I am looking to identify all the NZers who held a Air Marshal rank in the RAF - this would include ACM, AM, AVM

The names I have so far are:

ACM Sir Keith park
AM Sir Arthur Coningham
Marshal of the RAF  Sir Lord Elworthy
AM Sir Rockford Hughes
AVM Bill Crawford-Compton
AM Sir Roderick Carr
AVM Charles Gibbs
AM Sir Kenneth Hayr

So are there any I have missed - you help would be appreciated

I also does anyone know any RNZAF people officers who held the post of Deputy Chief of the Defence Staff of Deputy Chief of the Defence  - so far the only man I can think of is the current Deputy AVM Kevin Short

[Dave Homewood]

Air Vice Marshal Charles Gibbs, a wartime RNZAF pilot who remained with the RAF postwar and flew jets including the EE Lightning, and eventually reached Air Rank. He lives in Taupo, and last I heard was still president of the Taupo Officers' Club.

[davidd]

flyinghilly, I think you have got Crawford-Compton's name a little bit awry! Only take two seconds to get him back to perfect working order!
David D

[11SQNLDR]

Air Marshal Sir Kenneth Hayr

One of the most interesting people I've ever met & I've met a few! He was killed in a Vampire crash in 2001, only a couple of years after our first meeting.
Like Sir Keith Park he was another Kiwi AOC 11 Group, something that gave him a good deal of pride. He also pioneered the introduction of the Harrier into the RAF inventory.

I believe his Yak is still flying in NZ today.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenneth_Hayr

[charleshenry]

Jul 8, 2017 16:51:05 GMT 12 Dave Homewood said:

Air Vice Marshal Charles Gibbs, a wartime RNZAF pilot who remained with the RAF postwar and flew jets including the EE Lightning, and eventually reached Air Rank. He lives in Taupo, and last I heard was still president of the Taupo Officers' Club.

[charleshenry]

I understand AVM Gibbs passed away recently. I write obituaries for Stuff news and he is proving very difficult to research. Does anyone now where I might find details of his service record?

[Dave Homewood]

Oh that is sad to hear. He told me that he'd donated his logbook to the Auckland War Memorial Museum.

If he's dead then you should be able to get a copy of his service records from the NZDF Personnel Records Archive:
www.nzdf.mil.nz/personnel-records/nzdf-archives/accessing-military-service-records.htm

[errolmartyn]

Oct 8, 2018 20:59:46 GMT 12 charleshenry said:

I understand AVM Gibbs passed away recently. I write obituaries for Stuff news and he is proving very difficult to research. Does anyone now where I might find details of his service record?

From Colin Hanson’s By Such Deeds – Honours and awards in the Royal New Zealand Air Force, 1923 – 1999 :

GIBBS, Squadron Leader Charles Melvin, DFC, mid(2).
NZ412678; Born Wellington, 11 Jun 1921; RNZAF 4 May 1941 to 17 Apr 1947; Pilot.
Citation Mention in Despatches (1) (14 Jan 1944): For meritorious service. Served with 267 Sqn RAF (Dakota).
Citation Distinguished Flying Cross (28 Mar 1944): [267 Sqn RAF (Dakota)] During the last 17 months, this officer has taken part in many hazardous operational flights in support of the Eighth Army and performing sterling work in supplying the forward areas and evacuating casualties. An officer of untiring energy, his enthusiasm, courage and devotion to duty have always merited the highest praise. Sqn Ldr Gibbs carried out supply dropping over Sicily, Italy and the Balkans.
Citation Mention in Despatches (2) (1 Jan 1946): For distinguished service. Served with 14 Sqn RAF (Marauder) on anti-shipping sorties.

Errol