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{{Short description|Marshal of the Royal Air Force (1921-1977)}}
{{Use British English|date=December 2012}}
{{Use British English|date=December 2012}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2012}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2021}}
{{Infobox military person
{{Infobox military person
| honorific_prefix = [[Marshal of the Royal Air Force]]
|name= Sir Andrew Humphrey
|image= Andrew Humphrey in 1965.jpg
| name = Sir Andrew Humphrey
| honorific_suffix = {{post-nominals|country=GBR|size=100%|sep=,|GCB|OBE|DFC|AFC2}}
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|image_size=
| image = Wg Cdr Humphrey after the 1953 flight from Cape Town (cropped).jpg
|alt=
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| image_size =
|caption= Air Chief Marshal Sir Andrew Humphrey c.1974
| alt =
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|birth_date= {{birth date|1921|01|10|df=yes}}
| caption = Humphrey after his 1953 record-breaking flight from Cape Town to London.
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|death_date= {{death date and age|1977|01|24|1921|01|10|df=yes}}
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| nickname =
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|birth_place= [[Edinburgh]], Scotland
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| birth_date = {{birth date|1921|01|10|df=yes}}
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|death_place= [[RAF Halton]], [[Buckinghamshire]]
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| birth_place = [[Edinburgh]], Scotland
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|placeofburial=
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| death_date = {{death date and age|1977|01|24|1921|01|10|df=yes}}
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|nickname=
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| death_place = [[RAF Halton]], [[Buckinghamshire]], England
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|allegiance= United Kingdom
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| placeofburial =
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|branch= [[Royal Air Force]]
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| allegiance = United Kingdom
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|serviceyears= 1939–1977
|rank= [[Marshal of the Royal Air Force]]
| branch = [[Royal Air Force]]
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| serviceyears = 1939–1977
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|servicenumber=
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| rank = [[Marshal of the Royal Air Force]]
|unit=
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| servicenumber =
|commands= [[Chief of the Defence Staff (United Kingdom)|Chief of the Defence Staff]]<br/>[[Chief of the Air Staff (United Kingdom)|Chief of the Air Staff]]<br/>[[RAF Strike Command]]<br/>[[RAF Akrotiri]]
| unit =
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|battles= [[Second World War]]<br/>[[Aden Emergency]]
|awards= [[Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath]]<br/>[[Officer of the Order of the British Empire]]<br/>[[Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)|Distinguished Flying Cross]]<br/>[[Air Force Cross (United Kingdom)|Air Force Cross]] & [[Medal bar|Two Bars]]<br/>[[Mentioned in Despatches]]
| commands = [[Chief of the Defence Staff (United Kingdom)|Chief of the Defence Staff]] (1976–77)<br/>[[Chief of the Air Staff (United Kingdom)|Chief of the Air Staff]] (1974–76)<br/>[[RAF Strike Command]] (1971–74)<br/>[[Air Member for Personnel]] (1968–71)<br/>[[Air Forces Middle East]] (1965–67)<br/>[[RAF Akrotiri]] (1959–62)
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| battles = [[Second World War]]<br/>[[Aden Emergency]]
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|relations=
| awards = [[Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath]]<br/>[[Officer of the Order of the British Empire]]<br/>[[Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)|Distinguished Flying Cross]]<br/>[[Air Force Cross (United Kingdom)|Air Force Cross]] & [[Medal bar|Two Bars]]<br/>[[Mentioned in Despatches]]
⚫
|laterwork=
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| relations =
⚫
| laterwork =
}}
}}
[[Marshal of the Royal Air Force]] '''Sir Andrew Henry Humphrey''', {{post-nominals|country=GBR|size=100%|sep=,|GCB|OBE|DFC|AFC2}} (10 January 1921 – 24 January 1977) was a senior officer in the [[Royal Air Force]]. He fought in the [[Second World War]] as a fighter pilot taking part in the [[Battle of Britain]] and also took part in the [[Aden Emergency|withdrawal from Aden]] in November 1967. He served as the [[Chief of the Air Staff (United Kingdom)|Chief of the Air Staff]] advising the new Labour Government on the implementation of their latest Defence Review. He then served as [[Chief of the Defence Staff (United Kingdom)|Chief of the Defence Staff]] but caught [[pneumonia]] within three months of taking office and died shortly afterwards.
[[Marshal of the Royal Air Force]] '''Sir Andrew Henry Humphrey''', {{post-nominals|country=GBR|size=100%|sep=,|GCB|OBE|DFC|AFC2}} (10 January 1921 – 24 January 1977) was a senior officer in the [[Royal Air Force]]. He fought in the [[Second World War]] as a fighter pilot taking part in the [[Battle of Britain]] and also took part in the [[Aden Emergency|withdrawal from Aden]] in November 1967. He served as the [[Chief of the Air Staff (United Kingdom)|Chief of the Air Staff]] advising the new Labour Government on the implementation of their latest Defence Review. He then served as [[Chief of the Defence Staff (United Kingdom)|Chief of the Defence Staff]] but caught [[pneumonia]] within three months of taking office and died shortly afterwards.


==Early life==
==Early life==
The son of John Humphrey [[Order of the British Empire|CBE]] and his wife, Agnes Florence Humphrey (née Beatson-Bell), Humphrey was born on 10 January 1921 in [[Edinburgh]], Scotland. He was educated at [[Belhaven Hill School]] in [[Dunbar]] and [[Bradfield College]].<ref name=odnb>{{cite web|url=http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/31263|title=Marshal of the RAF Sir Andrew Humphrey|publisher=Oxford Dictionary of National Biography|accessdate=6 June 2012}}</ref>
The son of John Humphrey [[Order of the British Empire|CBE]] and his wife, Agnes Florence Humphrey (née Beatson-Bell), Humphrey was born on 10 January 1921 in the Scottish capital, [[Edinburgh]]. He was educated at [[Belhaven Hill School]] in [[Dunbar]] and [[Bradfield College]].<ref name=odnb>{{cite ODNB|url=http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/31263|title=Marshal of the RAF Sir Andrew Humphrey|year=2004 |doi=10.1093/ref:odnb/31263 |accessdate=6 June 2012}}</ref>


==RAF career==
==RAF career==
Humphrey joined the [[Royal Air Force College Cranwell]] in January 1939<ref name=air>{{cite web|url=http://www.rafweb.org/Biographies/Humphrey_A.htm |publisher=Air of Authority – A History of RAF Organisation |title=Marshal of the Royal Air Force Sir Andrew Humphrey|accessdate=6 June 2012}}</ref> and was granted a permanent commission as a [[pilot officer]] on 30 April 1940.<ref>{{LondonGazette|issue=34854|supp=|startpage=3033|date=21 May 1940|accessdate=6 June 2012}}</ref> Following flying training he was posted as a pilot to [[No. 266 Squadron RAF|No. 266 Squadron]] at [[RAF Wittering]] in September 1940 and found himself flying [[Supermarine Spitfire|spitfire]]s in the [[Battle of Britain]].<ref name=air/> In March 1941 he was involved in an incident when his engine failed and his spitfire crashed in flames but he survived.<ref name=prob75>Probert, p. 75</ref> He was promoted to the [[Substantive rank#Types of rank|war substantive]] rank of [[flying officer]] on 1 May 1941.<ref>{{LondonGazette|issue=35196|supp=|startpage=3517|date=20 June 1941|accessdate=6 June 2012}}</ref> On a single night in May 1941 he shot down one bomber and two other enemy aircraft near the Dutch coast: he was awarded the [[Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)|Distinguished Flying Cross]] for this on 30 May 1941.<ref>{{LondonGazette|issue=35176|supp=|startpage=3096|date=30 May 1941|accessdate=6 June 2012}}</ref>
Humphrey joined the [[Royal Air Force College Cranwell]] in January 1939<ref name=air>{{cite web|url=http://www.rafweb.org/Biographies/Humphrey_A.htm |publisher=Air of Authority – A History of RAF Organisation |title=Marshal of the Royal Air Force Sir Andrew Humphrey|accessdate=6 June 2012}}</ref> and was granted a permanent commission as a [[pilot officer]] on 30 April 1940.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=34854|page=3033|date=21 May 1940}}</ref> Following flying training he was posted as a pilot to [[No. 266 Squadron RAF|No. 266 Squadron]] at [[RAF Wittering]] in September 1940 and found himself flying [[Supermarine Spitfire|Spitfire]]s in the [[Battle of Britain]].<ref name=air/> In March 1941 he was involved in an incident when his engine failed and his Spitfire crashed in flames, but he survived.<ref name=prob75>Probert, p. 75</ref> He was promoted to the [[Substantive rank#Types of rank|war substantive]] rank of [[flying officer]] on 1 May 1941.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=35196|page=3517|date=20 June 1941}}</ref> On a single night in May 1941, he shot down one bomber and two other enemy aircraft near the Dutch coast: he was awarded the [[Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)|Distinguished Flying Cross]] for this on 30 May 1941.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=35176|page=3096|date=30 May 1941}}</ref>
[[File:Hurricane mk1 r4118 fairford arp.jpg|thumb|left|200px|[[Hawker Hurricane]], a type flown by Humphrey during the Second World War]]
[[File:Hurricane mk1 r4118 fairford arp.jpg|thumb|left|200px|[[Hawker Hurricane]], a type flown by Humphrey during the Second World War]]
Humphrey transferred to [[No. 452 Squadron RAAF|No.&nbsp;452 Squadron]] flying spitfires from [[RAF Kenley]] in July 1941 before becoming an instructor at No. 58 Operational Training Unit at [[RAF Grangemouth]] in August 1941.<ref name=air/> He became a Flight Commander with [[No. 175 Squadron RAF|No. 175 Squadron]] flying [[Hawker Hurricane|Hurricanes]] from [[RAF Warmwell]] in March 1942<ref name=air/> and was promoted to the war substantive rank of [[flight lieutenant]] on 1 May 1942<ref>{{LondonGazette|issue=35606|supp=|startpage=2760|date=23 June 1942|accessdate=6 June 2012}}</ref> before returning to RAF Grangemouth in July 1942.<ref name=air/> Awarded the [[Air Force Cross (United Kingdom)|Air Force Cross]] on 1 January 1943,<ref>{{LondonGazette|issue=35841|supp=|startpage=34|date=29 December 1942|accessdate=6 June 2012}}</ref> he attended the Low Attack Instructor's School at [[Milfield|RAF Milfield]] in early 1943.<ref name=air/> He became a Flight Commander with [[No. 6 Squadron RAF|No. 6 Squadron]] flying Hurricanes in North Africa in July 1943<ref name=air/> and was promoted to [[flight lieutenant]] on a permanent basis on 7 September 1943.<ref>{{LondonGazette|issue=37571|supp=yes|startpage=2396|date=17 May 1946|accessdate=6 June 2012}}</ref> He became an instructor at No. 5 Middle East Training School at RAF Shallufa in Egypt in January 1944 before being posted to the staff at [[RAF Nicosia]] in [[Cyprus]] in June 1944 and then to the staff at RAF Ranchi in [[India]] in November 1944.<ref name=air/> He was awarded a [[Medal bar|Bar]] to the [[Air Force Cross (United Kingdom)|Air Force Cross]] on 1 January 1945,<ref>{{LondonGazette|issue=36866|supp=yes|startpage=58|date=29 December 1944|accessdate=6 June 2012}}</ref> and promoted to the war substantive rank of [[squadron leader]] on 20 February 1945.<ref>{{LondonGazette|issue=37153|supp=yes|startpage=3397|date=26 June 1945|accessdate=6 June 2012}}</ref>
Humphrey transferred to [[No. 452 Squadron RAAF|No.&nbsp;452 Squadron]], flying Spitfires from [[RAF Kenley]] in July 1941, before becoming an instructor at No. 58 Operational Training Unit at [[RAF Grangemouth]] in August 1941.<ref name=air/> He became a Flight Commander with [[No. 175 Squadron RAF|No. 175 Squadron]] flying [[Hawker Hurricane|Hurricanes]] from [[RAF Warmwell]] in March 1942<ref name=air/> and was promoted to the war substantive rank of [[flight lieutenant]] on 1 May 1942<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=35606|page=2760|date=23 June 1942}}</ref> before returning to RAF Grangemouth in July 1942.<ref name=air/> Awarded the [[Air Force Cross (United Kingdom)|Air Force Cross]] on 1 January 1943,<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=35841|page=34|date=29 December 1942}}</ref> he attended the Low Attack Instructor's School at [[Milfield|RAF Milfield]] in early 1943.<ref name=air/> He became a Flight Commander with [[No. 6 Squadron RAF|No. 6 Squadron]], flying Hurricanes in North Africa in July 1943,<ref name=air/> and was promoted to [[flight lieutenant]] on a permanent basis on 7 September 1943.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=37571|supp=y|page=2396|date=17 May 1946}}</ref> He became an instructor at No. 5 Middle East Training School at RAF Shallufa in Egypt in January 1944 before being posted to the staff at [[RAF Nicosia]] in [[Cyprus]] in June 1944 and then to the staff at RAF Ranchi in [[India]] in November 1944.<ref name=air/> He was awarded a [[Medal bar|Bar]] to the [[Air Force Cross (United Kingdom)|Air Force Cross]] on 1 January 1945,<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=36866|supp=y|page=58|date=29 December 1944}}</ref> and promoted to the war substantive rank of [[squadron leader]] on 20 February 1945.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=37153|supp=y|page=3397|date=26 June 1945}}</ref>


At the end of the War Humphrey joined the Air Staff at Headquarters British Air Forces South East Asia before transferring to the Air Staff at Headquarters No. 106 Group at [[RAF Benson]], where he learnt the art of photographic reconnaissance, in August 1946.<ref name=prob76>Probert, p. 76</ref> He was confirmed in the rank of [[squadron leader]] on a permanent basis on 1 August 1947.<ref>{{LondonGazette|issue=38035|supp=yes|startpage=3663|date=1 August 1947|accessdate=6 June 2012}}</ref> He became a Flight Commander with [[No. 82 Squadron RAF|No.&nbsp;82 Squadron]] flying [[Avro Lancaster|Lancasters]] and [[Douglas C-47 Skytrain|Dakotas]] in an arial mapping role in Africa in September 1948<ref name=prob76/> and went on to be an instructor at the RAF Flying College at [[Manby]] in May 1951.<ref name=air/> Having been appointed an [[Officer of the Order of the British Empire]] in the 1951 [[New Year Honours]]<ref>{{LondonGazette|issue=39104|supp=yes|startpage=9|date=29 December 1950|accessdate=6 June 2012}}</ref> and promoted to [[wing commander (rank)|wing commander]] on 1 July 1951,<ref>{{LondonGazette|issue=39271|supp=yes|startpage=3544|date=26 June 1951|accessdate=6 June 2012}}</ref> he became a senior instructor there in February 1953.<ref name=air/> In December 1953, Humphrey piloted "Aries IV", a [[Canberra B.2]], from [[Cape Town]] to [[London]] in a then record 13 hours 16 minutes and 25 seconds.<ref name=prob77>Probert, p. 77</ref>
At the end of the War, Humphrey joined the Air Staff at Headquarters British Air Forces South East Asia, before transferring to the Air Staff at Headquarters No. 106 Group at [[RAF Benson]], where he learnt the art of photographic reconnaissance, in August 1946.<ref name=prob76>Probert, p. 76</ref> He was confirmed in the rank of [[squadron leader]] on a permanent basis on 1 August 1947.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=38035|supp=y|page=3663|date=1 August 1947}}</ref> He became a Flight Commander with [[No. 82 Squadron RAF|No.&nbsp;82 Squadron]] flying [[Avro Lancaster|Lancasters]] and [[Douglas C-47 Skytrain|Dakotas]] in an aerial mapping role in Africa in September 1948<ref name=prob76/> and went on to be an instructor at the RAF Flying College at [[Manby]] in May 1951.<ref name=air/> Having been appointed an Officer of the [[Order of the British Empire]] in the 1951 [[New Year Honours]]<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=39104|supp=y|page=9|date=29 December 1950}}</ref> and promoted to [[wing commander (rank)|wing commander]] on 1 July 1951,<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=39271|supp=y|page=3544|date=26 June 1951}}</ref> he became a senior instructor there in February 1953.<ref name=air/> In December 1953, Humphrey piloted "Aries IV", a [[Canberra B.2]], from [[Cape Town]] to [[London]] in a then record 13 hours 16 minutes and 25 seconds.<ref name=prob77>Probert, p. 77</ref>
[[File:Wg Cdr Humphrey after the 1953 flight from Cape Town.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Humphrey (centre) with his two navigators after the flight from Cape Town to London]]
[[File:Wg Cdr Humphrey after the 1953 flight from Cape Town.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Humphrey (centre) with his two navigators after the flight from Cape Town to London]]


Humphrey attended [[RAF Staff College, Bracknell|RAF Staff College]] in 1955 and was awarded a second Bar to his Air Force Cross in the 1955 [[Birthday Honours]].<ref>{{LondonGazette|issue=40497|supp=yes|startpage=3292|date=3 June 1955|accessdate=6 June 2012}}</ref> He was posted to the Directorate of Operational Requirements at the [[Air Ministry]] in February 1956 where he was elevated to Deputy Director before being promoted to [[group captain]] on 1 July 1957<ref>{{LondonGazette|issue=41111|supp=yes|startpage=3859|date=25 June 1957|accessdate=6 June 2012}}</ref> and appointed a [[Companion of the Order of the Bath]] in the 1959 [[Birthday Honours]].<ref>{{LondonGazette|issue=41727|supp=yes|startpage=3699|date=5 June 1959|accessdate=6 June 2012}}</ref>
Humphrey attended [[RAF Staff College, Bracknell|RAF Staff College]] in 1955 and was awarded a second Bar to his Air Force Cross in the 1955 [[Birthday Honours]].<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=40497|supp=y|page=3292|date=3 June 1955}}</ref> He was posted to the Directorate of Operational Requirements at the [[Air Ministry]] in February 1956 where he was elevated to deputy director before being promoted to [[group captain]] on 1 July 1957<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=41111|supp=y|page=3859|date=25 June 1957}}</ref> and appointed a Companion of the [[Order of the Bath]] in the 1959 [[Birthday Honours]].<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=41727|supp=y|page=3699|date=5 June 1959}}</ref>


Humphrey became Officer Commanding [[RAF Akrotiri]] in February 1959 and then attended the [[Royal College of Defence Studies|Imperial Defence College]] in 1962<ref name=air/> before being promoted to [[air commodore]] on 1 July 1962.<ref>{{LondonGazette|issue=42721|supp=yes|startpage=5299|date=29 June 1962|accessdate=6 June 2012}}</ref> He became Director of Joint Plans at the Air Ministry in November 1962 and then Director of Defence Plans (Air) at the [[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)|Ministry of Defence]] in April 1964<ref name=air/> Promoted to [[air vice marshal]] on 1 January 1965,<ref>{{LondonGazette|issue=43537|supp=yes|startpage=79|date=29 December 1964|accessdate=6 June 2012}}</ref> he became Air Officer Commanding Air Forces Middle East on 15 December 1965<ref>{{LondonGazette|issue=43838|supp=yes|startpage=11687|date=10 December 1965|accessdate=6 June 2012}}</ref> and, following the [[Aden Emergency|withdrawal from Aden]] in November 1967,<ref name=prob77/> he was [[mentioned in despatches]] for his services in operations there on 23 January 1968.<ref>{{LondonGazette|issue=44508|supp=yes|startpage=886|date=19 January 1968|accessdate=6 June 2012}}</ref> He went on to be Air Member for Personnel with the acting rank of [[air marshal]] on 18 March 1968<ref>{{LondonGazette|issue=44549|supp=yes|startpage=3250|date=15 March 1968|accessdate=6 June 2012}}</ref> and advanced to [[Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath]] in the 1968 [[Birthday Honours]].<ref>{{LondonGazette|issue=44600|supp=yes|startpage=6301|date=31 May 1968|accessdate=6 June 2012}}</ref>
Humphrey became Officer Commanding [[RAF Akrotiri]] in February 1959 and then attended the [[Royal College of Defence Studies|Imperial Defence College]] in 1962<ref name=air/> before being promoted to [[air commodore]] on 1 July 1962.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=42721|supp=y|page=5299|date=29 June 1962}}</ref> He became Director of Joint Plans at the Air Ministry in November 1962 and then Director of Defence Plans (Air) at the [[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)|Ministry of Defence]] in April 1964<ref name=air/> Promoted to [[air vice marshal]] on 1 January 1965,<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=43537|supp=y|page=79|date=29 December 1964}}</ref> he became Air Officer Commanding Air Forces Middle East on 15 December 1965<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=43838|supp=y|page=11687|date=10 December 1965}}</ref> and, following the [[Aden Emergency|withdrawal from Aden]] in November 1967,<ref name=prob77/> he was [[mentioned in despatches]] for his services in operations there on 23 January 1968.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=44508|supp=y|page=886|date=19 January 1968}}</ref> He went on to be Air Member for Personnel with the acting rank of [[air marshal]] on 18 March 1968<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=44549|supp=y|page=3250|date=15 March 1968}}</ref> and advanced to Knight Commander of the [[Order of the Bath]] in the [[1968 Birthday Honours]].<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=44600|supp=y|page=6301|date=31 May 1968}}</ref>


Having been promoted to the substantive rank of [[air marshal]] on 1 January 1969,<ref>{{LondonGazette|issue=44760|supp=yes|startpage=203|date=3 January 1969|accessdate=6 June 2012}}</ref> and to [[air chief marshal]] on 1 December 1970,<ref>{{LondonGazette|issue=45240|supp=yes|startpage=13115|date=27 November 1970|accessdate=6 June 2012}}</ref> Humphrey became [[Commander-in-Chief]] [[RAF Strike Command]] on 5 January 1971.<ref>{{LondonGazette|issue=45271|supp=yes|startpage=126|date=1 January 1971|accessdate=6 June 2012}}</ref> He was advanced to [[Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath]] in the 1974 [[New Year Honours]].<ref>{{LondonGazette|issue=46162|supp=yes|startpage=3|date=28 December 1973|accessdate=6 June 2012}}</ref>
Having been promoted to the substantive rank of [[air marshal]] on 1 January 1969,<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=44760|supp=y|page=203|date=3 January 1969}}</ref> and to [[air chief marshal]] on 1 December 1970,<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=45240|supp=y|page=13115|date=27 November 1970}}</ref> Humphrey became [[Commander-in-Chief]] [[RAF Strike Command]] on 5 January 1971.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=45271|supp=y|page=126|date=1 January 1971}}</ref> He was advanced to [[Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath]] in the [[1974 New Year Honours]].<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=46162|supp=y|page=3|date=28 December 1973}}</ref>


Humphrey was appointed [[Air Aide-de-Camp]] to [[Elizabeth II|the Queen]] on 31 March 1974 and [[Chief of the Air Staff (United Kingdom)|Chief of the Air Staff]] on 1 April 1974.<ref>{{LondonGazette|issue=46252|supp=yes|startpage=4287|date=1 April 1974|accessdate=6 June 2012}}</ref> As Chief of the Air Staff he advised the new Labour Government on the implementation of their latest Defence Review.<ref name=prob78>Probert, p. 78</ref> Following promotion to [[Marshal of the Royal Air Force]] on 6 August 1976,<ref>{{LondonGazette|issue=46984|supp=yes|startpage=10916|date=10 August 1976|accessdate=6 June 2012}}</ref> Humphrey was appointed [[Chief of the Defence Staff (United Kingdom)|Chief of the Defence Staff]] on 24 October 1976.<ref>{{LondonGazette|issue=47050|supp=yes|startpage=14421|date=25 October 1976|accessdate=6 June 2012}}</ref> However he only served in that role for only three months before catching [[pneumonia]] following a visit to British forces in [[Norway]] during a particularly cold Winter.<ref name=prob79>Probert, p. 79</ref> He died in the RAF Hospital at [[RAF Halton|Halton]] on 24 January 1977.<ref name=air/>
Humphrey was appointed [[Air Aide-de-Camp]] to [[Elizabeth II|the Queen]] on 31 March 1974 and [[Chief of the Air Staff (United Kingdom)|Chief of the Air Staff]] on 1 April 1974.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=46252|supp=y|page=4287|date=1 April 1974}}</ref> As Chief of the Air Staff he advised the new Labour Government on the implementation of their latest Defence Review.<ref name=prob78>Probert, p. 78</ref> Following promotion to [[Marshal of the Royal Air Force]] on 6 August 1976,<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=46984|supp=y|page=10916|date=10 August 1976}}</ref> Humphrey was appointed [[Chief of the Defence Staff (United Kingdom)|Chief of the Defence Staff]] on 24 October 1976.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=47050|supp=y|page=14421|date=25 October 1976}}</ref> However he only served in that role for three months before catching [[pneumonia]] following a visit to British forces in [[Norway]] during a particularly cold Winter.<ref name=prob79>Probert, p. 79</ref> He died in the RAF Hospital at [[RAF Halton|Halton]] on 24 January 1977.<ref name=air/>


==Personal life==
==Personal life==
In March 1952 Humphrey married Agnes Stevenson Wright; there were no children.<ref name=odnb/> In 1978 his widow, Lady Humphrey, visited [[RAF Gütersloh]] in the then [[West Germany]] to open the newly built Andrew Humphrey School in the village of Blankenhagen, a [[primary school]] for the children of RAF personnel.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blankenhagenschool.com/school%20history%20opening.html|title=Our History|publisher= Blankenhagen School|accessdate=June 2012}}</ref>
In March 1952 Humphrey married Agnes Stevenson Wright; there were no children.<ref name=odnb/> In 1978 his widow, Lady Humphrey, visited [[RAF Gütersloh]] in the then [[West Germany]] to open the newly built Andrew Humphrey School in the village of [[Blankenhagen]], a [[primary school]] for the children of RAF personnel.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blankenhagenschool.com/school%20history%20opening.html |title=Our History |publisher=Blankenhagen School |accessdate=1 June 2012 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019135242/http://www.blankenhagenschool.com/school%20history%20opening.html |archivedate=19 October 2013 }}</ref>


==References==
==References==
{{reflist|30em}}
{{reflist}}


==Sources==
==Sources==
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{{s-bef|before=[[Johnnie Johnson (RAF officer)|Johnnie Johnson]]}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Johnnie Johnson (RAF officer)|Johnnie Johnson]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=Air Officer Commanding Air Forces Middle East|years=1965–1967}}
{{s-ttl|title=Air Officer Commanding [[Air Forces Middle East]]|years=1965–1967}}
{{s-non|reason=Absorbed into Air Forces Gulf}}
{{s-non|reason=Absorbed into Air Forces Gulf}}
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{{s-aft|after=[[Lewis Hodges|Sir Lewis Hodges]]}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Lewis Hodges|Sir Lewis Hodges]]}}
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{{succession box|title=Commander-in-Chief [[RAF Strike Command]]|before=[[Denis Spotswood|Sir Denis Spotswood]] |after=[[Denis Smallwood|Sir Denis Smallwood]]|years=1971–1974}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Denis Spotswood|Sir Denis Spotswood]]|rows=2}}
{{s-ttl|title=Commander-in-Chief [[RAF Strike Command]]|years=1971–1974}}
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{{succession box|title=[[Chief of the Air Staff (United Kingdom)|Chief of the Air Staff]]|before=Sir Denis Spotswood|after=[[Neil Cameron, Baron Cameron of Balhousie|Sir Neil Cameron]]|years=1974–1976}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Denis Smallwood|Sir Denis Smallwood]]}}
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{{succession box|title=[[Chief of the Defence Staff (United Kingdom)|Chief of the Defence Staff]]|before=[[Michael Carver, Baron Carver|Lord Carver]]|after=[[Edward Ashmore|Sir Edward Ashmore]]|years=1976–1977}}
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|-
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{{s-ttl|title=[[Chief of the Air Staff (United Kingdom)|Chief of the Air Staff]]|years=1974–1976}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Neil Cameron, Baron Cameron of Balhousie|Sir Neil Cameron]]}}
|-
{{s-bef|before=[[Michael Carver|Sir Michael Carver]]}}
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{{s-ttl|title=[[Chief of the Defence Staff (United Kingdom)|Chief of the Defence Staff]]|years=1976–1977}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Edward Ashmore|Sir Edward Ashmore]]}}
{{s-end}}
{{s-end}}


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[[Category:1977 deaths]]
[[Category:1977 deaths]]
[[Category:People educated at Belhaven Hill School]]
[[Category:People educated at Belhaven Hill School]]
[[Category:British World War II pilots]]
[[Category:British World War II flying aces]]
[[Category:Scottish flying aces]]
[[Category:Chiefs of the Air Staff (United Kingdom)]]
[[Category:Chiefs of the Air Staff (United Kingdom)]]
[[Category:Chiefs of the Defence Staff (United Kingdom)]]
[[Category:Chiefs of the Defence Staff (United Kingdom)]]
[[Category:Deaths from pneumonia]]
[[Category:Deaths from pneumonia in England]]
[[Category:Graduates of the Royal Air Force College Cranwell]]
[[Category:Graduates of the Royal Air Force College Cranwell]]
[[Category:Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath]]
[[Category:Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath]]
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[[Category:Recipients of the Air Force Cross (United Kingdom)]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Air Force Cross (United Kingdom)]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)]]
[[Category:British aviation record holders]]
[[Category:Graduates of the Royal College of Defence Studies]]
[[Category:Military personnel from Edinburgh]]

Latest revision as of 22:53, 21 October 2024

Marshal of the Royal Air Force

Sir Andrew Humphrey

GCB, OBE, DFC, AFC & Two Bars
Humphrey after his 1953 record-breaking flight from Cape Town to London.
Born(1921-01-10)10 January 1921
Edinburgh, Scotland
Died24 January 1977(1977-01-24) (aged 56)
RAF Halton, Buckinghamshire, England
AllegianceUnited Kingdom
Service / branchRoyal Air Force
Years of service1939–1977
RankMarshal of the Royal Air Force
CommandsChief of the Defence Staff (1976–77)
Chief of the Air Staff (1974–76)
RAF Strike Command (1971–74)
Air Member for Personnel (1968–71)
Air Forces Middle East (1965–67)
RAF Akrotiri (1959–62)
Battles / warsSecond World War
Aden Emergency
AwardsKnight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath
Officer of the Order of the British Empire
Distinguished Flying Cross
Air Force Cross & Two Bars
Mentioned in Despatches

Marshal of the Royal Air Force Sir Andrew Henry Humphrey, GCB, OBE, DFC, AFC & Two Bars (10 January 1921 – 24 January 1977) was a senior officer in the Royal Air Force. He fought in the Second World War as a fighter pilot taking part in the Battle of Britain and also took part in the withdrawal from Aden in November 1967. He served as the Chief of the Air Staff advising the new Labour Government on the implementation of their latest Defence Review. He then served as Chief of the Defence Staff but caught pneumonia within three months of taking office and died shortly afterwards.

Early life

[edit]

The son of John Humphrey CBE and his wife, Agnes Florence Humphrey (née Beatson-Bell), Humphrey was born on 10 January 1921 in the Scottish capital, Edinburgh. He was educated at Belhaven Hill School in Dunbar and Bradfield College.[1]

RAF career

[edit]

Humphrey joined the Royal Air Force College Cranwell in January 1939[2] and was granted a permanent commission as a pilot officer on 30 April 1940.[3] Following flying training he was posted as a pilot to No. 266 Squadron at RAF Wittering in September 1940 and found himself flying Spitfires in the Battle of Britain.[2] In March 1941 he was involved in an incident when his engine failed and his Spitfire crashed in flames, but he survived.[4] He was promoted to the war substantive rank of flying officer on 1 May 1941.[5] On a single night in May 1941, he shot down one bomber and two other enemy aircraft near the Dutch coast: he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for this on 30 May 1941.[6]

Hawker Hurricane, a type flown by Humphrey during the Second World War

Humphrey transferred to No. 452 Squadron, flying Spitfires from RAF Kenley in July 1941, before becoming an instructor at No. 58 Operational Training Unit at RAF Grangemouth in August 1941.[2] He became a Flight Commander with No. 175 Squadron flying Hurricanes from RAF Warmwell in March 1942[2] and was promoted to the war substantive rank of flight lieutenant on 1 May 1942[7] before returning to RAF Grangemouth in July 1942.[2] Awarded the Air Force Cross on 1 January 1943,[8] he attended the Low Attack Instructor's School at RAF Milfield in early 1943.[2] He became a Flight Commander with No. 6 Squadron, flying Hurricanes in North Africa in July 1943,[2] and was promoted to flight lieutenant on a permanent basis on 7 September 1943.[9] He became an instructor at No. 5 Middle East Training School at RAF Shallufa in Egypt in January 1944 before being posted to the staff at RAF Nicosia in Cyprus in June 1944 and then to the staff at RAF Ranchi in India in November 1944.[2] He was awarded a Bar to the Air Force Cross on 1 January 1945,[10] and promoted to the war substantive rank of squadron leader on 20 February 1945.[11]

At the end of the War, Humphrey joined the Air Staff at Headquarters British Air Forces South East Asia, before transferring to the Air Staff at Headquarters No. 106 Group at RAF Benson, where he learnt the art of photographic reconnaissance, in August 1946.[12] He was confirmed in the rank of squadron leader on a permanent basis on 1 August 1947.[13] He became a Flight Commander with No. 82 Squadron flying Lancasters and Dakotas in an aerial mapping role in Africa in September 1948[12] and went on to be an instructor at the RAF Flying College at Manby in May 1951.[2] Having been appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in the 1951 New Year Honours[14] and promoted to wing commander on 1 July 1951,[15] he became a senior instructor there in February 1953.[2] In December 1953, Humphrey piloted "Aries IV", a Canberra B.2, from Cape Town to London in a then record 13 hours 16 minutes and 25 seconds.[16]

Humphrey (centre) with his two navigators after the flight from Cape Town to London

Humphrey attended RAF Staff College in 1955 and was awarded a second Bar to his Air Force Cross in the 1955 Birthday Honours.[17] He was posted to the Directorate of Operational Requirements at the Air Ministry in February 1956 where he was elevated to deputy director before being promoted to group captain on 1 July 1957[18] and appointed a Companion of the Order of the Bath in the 1959 Birthday Honours.[19]

Humphrey became Officer Commanding RAF Akrotiri in February 1959 and then attended the Imperial Defence College in 1962[2] before being promoted to air commodore on 1 July 1962.[20] He became Director of Joint Plans at the Air Ministry in November 1962 and then Director of Defence Plans (Air) at the Ministry of Defence in April 1964[2] Promoted to air vice marshal on 1 January 1965,[21] he became Air Officer Commanding Air Forces Middle East on 15 December 1965[22] and, following the withdrawal from Aden in November 1967,[16] he was mentioned in despatches for his services in operations there on 23 January 1968.[23] He went on to be Air Member for Personnel with the acting rank of air marshal on 18 March 1968[24] and advanced to Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath in the 1968 Birthday Honours.[25]

Having been promoted to the substantive rank of air marshal on 1 January 1969,[26] and to air chief marshal on 1 December 1970,[27] Humphrey became Commander-in-Chief RAF Strike Command on 5 January 1971.[28] He was advanced to Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath in the 1974 New Year Honours.[29]

Humphrey was appointed Air Aide-de-Camp to the Queen on 31 March 1974 and Chief of the Air Staff on 1 April 1974.[30] As Chief of the Air Staff he advised the new Labour Government on the implementation of their latest Defence Review.[31] Following promotion to Marshal of the Royal Air Force on 6 August 1976,[32] Humphrey was appointed Chief of the Defence Staff on 24 October 1976.[33] However he only served in that role for three months before catching pneumonia following a visit to British forces in Norway during a particularly cold Winter.[34] He died in the RAF Hospital at Halton on 24 January 1977.[2]

Personal life

[edit]

In March 1952 Humphrey married Agnes Stevenson Wright; there were no children.[1] In 1978 his widow, Lady Humphrey, visited RAF Gütersloh in the then West Germany to open the newly built Andrew Humphrey School in the village of Blankenhagen, a primary school for the children of RAF personnel.[35]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Marshal of the RAF Sir Andrew Humphrey". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.). Oxford University Press. 2004. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/31263. Retrieved 6 June 2012. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "Marshal of the Royal Air Force Sir Andrew Humphrey". Air of Authority – A History of RAF Organisation. Retrieved 6 June 2012.
  3. ^ "No. 34854". The London Gazette. 21 May 1940. p. 3033.
  4. ^ Probert, p. 75
  5. ^ "No. 35196". The London Gazette. 20 June 1941. p. 3517.
  6. ^ "No. 35176". The London Gazette. 30 May 1941. p. 3096.
  7. ^ "No. 35606". The London Gazette. 23 June 1942. p. 2760.
  8. ^ "No. 35841". The London Gazette. 29 December 1942. p. 34.
  9. ^ "No. 37571". The London Gazette (Supplement). 17 May 1946. p. 2396.
  10. ^ "No. 36866". The London Gazette (Supplement). 29 December 1944. p. 58.
  11. ^ "No. 37153". The London Gazette (Supplement). 26 June 1945. p. 3397.
  12. ^ a b Probert, p. 76
  13. ^ "No. 38035". The London Gazette (Supplement). 1 August 1947. p. 3663.
  14. ^ "No. 39104". The London Gazette (Supplement). 29 December 1950. p. 9.
  15. ^ "No. 39271". The London Gazette (Supplement). 26 June 1951. p. 3544.
  16. ^ a b Probert, p. 77
  17. ^ "No. 40497". The London Gazette (Supplement). 3 June 1955. p. 3292.
  18. ^ "No. 41111". The London Gazette (Supplement). 25 June 1957. p. 3859.
  19. ^ "No. 41727". The London Gazette (Supplement). 5 June 1959. p. 3699.
  20. ^ "No. 42721". The London Gazette (Supplement). 29 June 1962. p. 5299.
  21. ^ "No. 43537". The London Gazette (Supplement). 29 December 1964. p. 79.
  22. ^ "No. 43838". The London Gazette (Supplement). 10 December 1965. p. 11687.
  23. ^ "No. 44508". The London Gazette (Supplement). 19 January 1968. p. 886.
  24. ^ "No. 44549". The London Gazette (Supplement). 15 March 1968. p. 3250.
  25. ^ "No. 44600". The London Gazette (Supplement). 31 May 1968. p. 6301.
  26. ^ "No. 44760". The London Gazette (Supplement). 3 January 1969. p. 203.
  27. ^ "No. 45240". The London Gazette (Supplement). 27 November 1970. p. 13115.
  28. ^ "No. 45271". The London Gazette (Supplement). 1 January 1971. p. 126.
  29. ^ "No. 46162". The London Gazette (Supplement). 28 December 1973. p. 3.
  30. ^ "No. 46252". The London Gazette (Supplement). 1 April 1974. p. 4287.
  31. ^ Probert, p. 78
  32. ^ "No. 46984". The London Gazette (Supplement). 10 August 1976. p. 10916.
  33. ^ "No. 47050". The London Gazette (Supplement). 25 October 1976. p. 14421.
  34. ^ Probert, p. 79
  35. ^ "Our History". Blankenhagen School. Archived from the original on 19 October 2013. Retrieved 1 June 2012.

Sources

[edit]
  • Probert, Henry (1991). High Commanders of the Royal Air Force. HMSO. ISBN 0-11-772635-4.
Military offices
Preceded by Air Officer Commanding Air Forces Middle East
1965–1967 		Absorbed into Air Forces Gulf
Preceded by Air Member for Personnel
1968–1970 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Commander-in-Chief RAF Strike Command
1971–1974 		Succeeded by
Chief of the Air Staff
1974–1976 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Chief of the Defence Staff
1976–1977 		Succeeded by
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