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For detailed biographies of key RAF personnel (Air Commodore and higher) there is already an excellent website: www.rafweb.org
Only RAF officers of ranks below Air Commodore will be shown here in detail.

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C.S. Cadell  to  W. Cunningham

Cadell, Colin Simson Son of late Lt­Col John Macfarlane Cadell, DL, Foxhall, Kirkliston, W Lothian, and Mary Simson; married 1939, Rosemary Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas Edward Pooley; two sons one daughter.	07.08.1905 Colinton, Edinburgh - 29.10.1996 [Edinburgh ?]	P/O 18.09.1925 [05131] F/Lt. 1933 Sq.Ldr. 01.02.1937 Gp.Capt. 01.01.1946 (T) A/Cdre. 01.01.1946 (retd 10.05.1947) CBE 19.09.1944 ? LM 15.03.1946 ?	Education: Merchiston Castle School, Edinburgh; Edinburgh University (MA); Ecole Supérieur d'électricité, Paris (Ingénieur ESE, 1932-1933); RAF College, Cranwell; RAF Staff College (1937-1938, psa); AMIEE 18.09.1925 first commission qualified at specialist signals course; additionally qualified at university course in electrical engineering and wireless telegraphy; qualified by examination as interpreter 1927 - 1929 served with 4 Sqn, RAF Farnborough 1929 - 1931 service with 208 Sqn, Heliopolis, Egypt 1933 - 1934 served with 2 Sqn, RAF Manston, Kent 1934 - 1936 Aide de Camp to Sir Miles Wedderburn Lampson, Ambassador to Egypt and High Commissioner for the Sudan 1936 service with 45 Sqn, Helwan, Egypt 1936 - 1937 Senior Technical Officer, RAF Signals School, Cranwell, Lincolnshire 1938 - 1940 Operations Branch, Air Ministry 16.01.1939 Air Staff, Deputy Directorate of Operations (Overseas) 29.04.1940 Staff, Directorate of Signals [employed on the 'Beetle Scheme', the establishment of a nationwide combined services communications network] 1940 Officer Commanding, RCM Unit, No 80 Wing 1940 - 1941 Wing Commander - Operations, HQ No 80 Wing, RAF Countermeasures Unit, Radlett, Hertfordshire 07.03.1941 - 22.04.1942 Staff, Deputy Directorate of Intelligence (4), Intelligence Department, Air Ministry 22.04.1942 - 1943 Deputy Director of Intelligence (4), Intelligence Department, Air Ministry [involved in the development of the intelligence listening station at Chicksands, Bedfordshire] 22.04.1943 Chief Signals Officer, HQ Middle East Command (Cairo, Egypt) 30.11.1943 - 1946 Director of Telecommunications and of Signals, Air Ministry 1946 - 1947 RAF Turnhouse, Lothian Managing Director, International Aeradio, 1947-1958; Director: Carron Company, 1958-1971; Royal Bank of Scotland, 1963-1969. Member, Edinburgh Airport Consultative Committee, 1972 (Chairman, 1972-1982). Member Queen's Body Guard for Scotland (Royal Company of Archers). DL Linlithgowshire, 1963-1972. Vice Lieutenant for West Lothian, 1972-1988.
Caiger, John Jeffrey	08.02.1900 - 1996	F/O (prob) 20.02.1922 [11164] F/Lt. 01.01.1929 (retd 31.03.1931) (reactivated 26.08.1939) (T) Sq.Ldr. 01.09.1940 (reverted to retd 21.12.1944; retaining rank of Sq.Ldr.)	20.02.1922     short service commission, RAF (Stores Branch; for accountant duties) [later: Accountant Branch] 15.10.1924 permanent commission ... - ... ...
Campbell, John Hunter McNeill	29.06.1905 -	Sq.Ldr. 01.04.1937 [16148] (retd 16.04.1940)	17.12.1924 first commission qualified at specialist navigation course
Campbell, John James Son of Henry and Rose Sarah Amelia Campbell; husband of Beryl Lilian Dolman Campbell, of Merry Hill, Wolverhampton.	1912 ? - 20.04.1941 [age 29] [Saint Andrew Churchyard Cranwell, Lincolnshire, 2.B.17]	P/O 01.04.1940 [43184] DFC ? ?	? - 20.04.1941 Pilot Instructor
Campbell, Roland William "Rollo" Married Naomi Campbell (died 07.02.2007, aged 90).	21.04.1915 - 12.1996 Kingston upon Thames, Surrey	2nd Lt. 31.01.1935 [64652] Lt. 31.01.1938 Capt. 31.01.1943 Maj. 31.01.1948 (retd 31.12.1956) RAF: (T) F/O 31.10.1938 [25120] F/Lt. ? (T) Sq.Ldr. 01.12.1941 (reld 05.02.1946) DFC 14.09.1945 ?	31.01.1935 commissioned, Royal Tank Corps (later: Royal Tank Regiment - Royal Armoured Corps) 31.10.1938 - 05.02.1946 specially employed [seconded to RAF]: (1945) 175 Squadron RAF 31.12.1956 - 21.04.1965 Regular Army Reserve of Officers [age limit]
Campbell, William Gardner	? -	Sq.Ldr. 01.04.1937 [22040] W/Cdr. 01.07.1948	Education: AMIMechE, AFRAeS qualified at a specialist course in engineering (1954) still serving
Candy, John Geoffrey Sadler	19.02.1897 Alton, Hampshire -	Sq.Ldr. 12.12.1928 [02080] (retd 12.09.1937) (T) W/Cdr. ? DFC ? ?	01.04.1918 first commission RAF qualified at a specialist course in engineering 25.08.1939 - 26.01.1946 recalled to active service
Cannon, Leslie William	? -	Sq.Ldr. 01.04.1937 [16166]	qualified at specialist engineering course
Carey, Denis Holcombe	28.02.1899 Alverstoke, Hampshire -	Sq.Ldr. 01.12.1936 [07003] (T) W/Cdr. ? (retd 25.07.1943)	01.04.1918 first commission RAF qualified at specialist armament course
Carter, John Edward Son of Jesse Stephen and Lucy Margaret Carter, of Herne Bay. Husband of Vera Mason Carter (née Cooper).	(06?).1915 Herne Bay, Kent - 22.07.1941 [age 26] [Herne Bay Cemetery, Kent, BB.93]	(A) P/O (prob) 18.05.1937 [39711] P/O 15.03.1938 F/O 15.10.1939 F/Lt. 15.10.1940 MID 24.09.1941 ?	18.05.1937 first commission, RAF (General Duties Branch) [short service commission] 08.01.1938 - (02.1939) 97 Squadron RAF ... - 22.07.1941 Officer Commanding, B Flight, 10 Operational Training Unit RAF [killed when his Anson I [N5070] crashed on a night navigation exercise at around 0330 on high ground a mile or so NW of Westbury, Wilsthire; Carter had 1,065 of his 1,338 flying hours being logged on Anson trainers]
Cartmel, Bryan Spencer	28.02.1899 - 05.1989 Exeter, Devon	P/O (prob) 10.01.1930 [21131] P/O 10.01.1931 F/O 10.01.1931 F/Lt. 10.01.1937 Sq.Ldr. ? (T) W/Cdr. 01.06.1941 (WS) W/Cdr. 23.05.1945 W/Cdr. 01.10.1946 Gp.Capt. 01.07.1950 (retd 13.08.1960) OBE < 11.1946 ? MID 17.09.1943 ?	10.01.1930 first commission RAF (Stores Branch, later renamed Equipment Branch) ? - ? ? 27.02.1956 - (04.1956) Senior Equipment Staff Officer, Bomber Command HQ (RAF High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire) 27.03.1963 - 30.04.1968 Flying Officer (four years + one year extension + one month extension), RAF Volunteer Reserve (Training Branch)
Casson, Lionel Harwood "Buck"	06.01.1915 Sheffield, Yorkshire - 10.2003 Sheffield, Yorkshire	(A) P/O ? [91000] P/O 06.04.1940 02.1941, seniority 03.12.1939 (WS) F/O 03.12.1940 (WS) F/Lt. 03.12.1941 F/O 03.05.1947, seniority 31.01.1947 Sq.Ldr. 02.10.1950 (transferred to reserve 02.11.1954) (reld 03.05.1957) DFC 16.09.1941 * AFC 01.06.1953 HM's coronation * This officer has been engaged on operations over a long period and has destroyed two, probably destroyed four and damaged" a further two enemy aircraft. Flight Lieutenant Casson carried out many offensive patrols following the Dunkirk evacuation and later fought in the Battle of Britain. This year he has participated in a large number of offensive patrols over Northern France. His efficiency, leadership and courage have set an excellent example.	first commission, Auxiliary Air Force (General Duties Branch) 616 Squadron RAF 03.05.1947 Flying Officer, Auxiliary Air Force 02.10.1950 - 02.11.1954 CO 616 (South Yorkshire) Squadron RAF
Cator, Francis Gerald	02.07.1902 Fulham, London - 01.1996 Ashford, Kent	Sq.Ldr. 01.02.1937 [16072]	Education: psa       qualified at specialist photographic course
Chaloner Lindsey , Patrick Son of The Revd. Charles Chaloner Lindsey, OBE, and May Lindsey, of Cheltenham, Gloucestershire.	16.07.1920 Daresbury Cheshire - 26.07.1940 (KIA) [age 20] [Wimereux Communal Cemetery, France, 7.B.4]	(A) P/O (prob) 20.08.1938 [41036] P/O 27.06.1939 LoA 1939? mid-air collision 17.08.39	Education: St John's School, Leatherhead (1934-1937; member of the Officer Training Corps) 27.06.1938 - 19.08.1938 ab initio course, No. 1 Elementary & Reserve Flying Training School, RAF (Hatfield) 20.08.1938 - 02.09.1938 first commission, RAF (General Duties Branch) [short service commission] (disciplinary course, No. 1 Depot, RAF (Uxbridge)) 03.09.1938 - 14.04.1939 No. 2 Flying Training School, RAF (Brize Norton) (got his wings 12.12.1938) 15.04.1939 - 17.08.1939 staff pilot, No. 2 Air Observers School RAF (17.08.1939 pilot of one of three aircraft involved in a mid-air collision near Berwick-on-Tweed, after which he landed the aircraft safely) 17.08.1939 - 21.02.1940 Berwick infirmary, transferred to the RAF hospital at Halton on 23.10.1939 and went to convalescence at Torquay five days later 22.02.1940 - 11.03.1940 No. 1 Depot RAF (Uxbridge) (temporary administrative duties) 12.03.1940 - 22.03.1940 29 Squadron RAF (Debden) 23.03.1940 - 19.04.1940 5 Operational Training Unit RAF (Aston Down) 20.04.1940 - 26.07.1940 pilot, 601 Squadron RAF (Tangmere) (11.07.1940 claimed a Bf 110 destroyed) [while on patrol in his Hurricane I [P2753 'T'] shot down by a Me 109 of Oberleutnant Dobislav of III./Jagdgeschwader 27 two miles off St Catherine's Point; his body later washed up on the French coast]
Chamberlain, George Philip	? -	Sq.Ldr. 01.02.1937 [16168]	Education: psa       qualified at specialist signals course
Chandler, Louis James	? -	Sq.Ldr. 01.07.1932 [?]   MBE ? ?	qualified at specialist signals course       observer officer
Chapman, Cyril	12.10.1893 -	Sq.Ldr. 01.04.1934 [03178] (retd 16.05.1938) (T) W/Cdr. ?   DSC ? ?	01.04.1918     first commission RAF 25.08.1939 - 10.04.1946 recalled to active service
Cheshire, Geoffrey Leonard; Baron created 17.07.1991 (Life Peer), of Woodhall in the county of Lincolnshire Son of late Geoffrey Chevalier Cheshire, DCL, FBA, and Primrose Barstow; married 1st, 1941, Constance Binney (marr. diss.); married 2nd, 1959, (Margaret) Susan Ryder (later Baroness Ryder of Warsaw); one son one daughter.	07.09.1917 Chester - 31.07.1992 Cavendish, Suffolk	P/O (RAFVR) 16.11.1937 [72021] P/O (RAF) 07.01.1938 F/O 07.04.1940, seniority 07.01.1940 (WS) F/Lt. 07.04.1941, seniority 07.01.1941 F/Lt. 01.03.1942 Sq.Ldr. 1942? (A) W/Cdr. ? (A) Gp.Capt. 03.1943 (retd 22.01.1946; on account of medical unfitness for Air Force service) (WS) W/Cdr. 30.09.1943 [reverted to this rank for operational flying] VC 08.09.1944 * OM 06.02.1981 ? DSO 06.12.1940 gallantry displayed in flying operations against the enemy DSO 1941 ? DSO 20.04.1943 ? DFC 07.03.1941 ? MID 17.03.1941 ?	Education: Stowe School; Merton College, Oxford University (2nd Class Honours School of Jurisprudence, 1939) 1936 Oxford University Air Squadron 16.11.1937 joined RAFVR, General Duties Branch 07.10.1939 permanent commission RAF, General Duties Branch trained Hullavington 1940 - 1945 served Bomber Command: 06.1940 - 1941 102 Squadron 1941 35 Squadron 08.1942 - 03.1943 CO 76 Squadron 03.1943 CO RAF Station, Marston Moor 11.1943 - 07.1944 CO 617 Squadron (Dambusters) 1944 attached Eastern Air Command, South­East Asia 1945 British Joint Staff Mission, Washington 15.08.1945 official British observer at dropping of Atomic Bomb on Nagasaki Founder of Cheshire Foundation Homes (270 Homes in 50 countries); Co-founder of Ryder Cheshire Mission for the Relief of Suffering; Founder Chairman, Memorial Fund for Disaster Relief, 1989-; President, SPARKS. Member: Pathfinders Association; Air Crew Association. President, British Society of the Turin Shroud. Hon. LLD: Liverpool, 1973; Manchester Polytechnic, 1979; Nottingham, 1981; Birmingham, 1986; Hon. DCL: Oxon, 1984; Kent, 1986. Variety Club Humanitarian Award (jointly with wife), 1975. Published: Bomber pilot (1943); Pilgrimage to the shroud (1956); The face of victory (1961); The hidden world (1981); The light of many suns (1985); Where is God in all this? (1991). Literature: Russell Braddon, Cheshire, VC : a study of war and peace (1954); Andrew Boyle, No passing glory : the full and authentic biography of Group Captain Cheshire, V.C., D.S.O., D.F.C. (1955); W.W. Russell, New lives for old (1963); Richard Morris, Cheshire : the biography of Leonard Cheshire VC, OM (2000).
* This officer began his operational career in June, 1940. Against strongly-defended targets he soon displayed the courage and determination of an exceptional leader. He was always ready to accept extra risks to ensure success. Defying the formidable Ruhr defences, he frequently released his bombs from below 2,000 feet. Over Cologne in November, 1940, a shell burst inside his aircraft, blowing out one side and starting a fire; undeterred, he went on to bomb his target. About this time, he carried out a number of convoy, patrols in addition to his bombing missions. At the end of his first tour of operational duty in January, 1941, he immediately volunteered for a second. Again, he pressed home his attacks with the utmost gallantry. Berlin, Bremen, Cologne, Duisberg, Essen and Kiel were among the heavily-defended targets which he attacked. When he was posted for  instructional duties in January, 1942, he undertook four more operational missions. He started a third operational tour in August, 1942, when he was given command of a squadron. He led the squadron with outstanding skill on a number of missions, before being appointed in March, 1943, as a station commander. In October, 1943, he undertook a fourth operational tour, relinquishing the rank of Group Captain at his own request so that he could again take part in operations. He immediately set to work as the pioneer of a new method of marking enemy targets involving very low flying. In June, 1944, when marking a target in the harbour at Le Havre in broad daylight and without cloud cover, he dived well below the range of the light batteries before releasing his markerbombs, and he came very near to being destroyed by the strong barrage which concentrated on him. During his fourth tour which ended in July, 1944, Wing Commander Cheshire led his squadron personally on every occasion, always undertaking the most dangerous and difficult task of marking the target alone from a low level in the face of strong defences. Wing Commander Cheshire's cold and calculated acceptance of risks is exemplified by his conduct in an. attack on Munich in April, 1944. This was an experimental attack to test out the new method of target marking at low level against a heavily-defended target situated deep in Reich territory. Munich was selected, at Wing Commander Cheshire's request, because of the formidable nature of its light anti-aircraft and searchlight defences. He was obliged to follow, in bad weather, a direct route which took him over the defences of Augsburg and thereafter he was continuously under fire. As he reached the target, flares were .being released by our high-flying aircraft. He was illuminated from above and below. All guns within range opened fire on him. Diving to 700 feet, he dropped his markers with great precision and began to climb away. So blinding were the searchlights that he almost lost control. He then flew over the city at 1,000 feet to assess the accuracy of his work and direct other aircraft. His own was badly hit by shell fragments but he continued to fly over the target area until he was satisfied that, he had done all in his power to ensure success. Eventually, when he set course for base, the task of disengaging himself from the defences proved even more hazardous than the approach., For a full twelve minutes after leaving the target'area he was under withering fire but he came safely through. Wing Commander Cheshire has now completed a total of 100 missions. In four years of fighting against the bitterest opposition he has maintained a record of outstanding personal achievement, placing himself invariably in the forefront of the battle. What he did in the Munich operation was typical of the careful planning, brilliant, execution and contempt for danger which has established for Wing Commander Cheshire a reputation second to none in Bomber Command.
Chichester, Patrick George	18.03.1901 Barnstaple, Devon -	Sq.Ldr. 01.02.1937 [17241] W/Cdr. ? (T) Gp.Capt. 01.07.1943 (retd 15.09.1947)	14.07.1923 first commission
Clark, Hubert Percival "Bert"	1918 Moose Jaw, Manitoba, Canada -	(A) P/O (prob) 13.05.1939 [42106] P/O (prob) 06.11.1939 P/O 13.03.1940 (WS) F/O 06.11.1940 (WS) F/Lt. 06.11.1941 DFC 22.11.1940 * * This pilot has successfully carried out 168 hours operational flying. He has always displayed the utmost coolness and determination in pressing home his attacks. Some of the missions undertaken have been of an arduous nature and under adverse weather conditions. This officer was reported missing on 14th August 1940, and according to the German broadcast, on the night of 18th/19th August 1940, he was reported a Prisoner of War.	Education: in Brandon and Forest, Manitoba 13.05.1939 first commission, RAF (General Duties Branch) [short service commission] ? - 14.08.1940 pilot, 44 Squadron RAF [His Hampden I [P2077 KM-] had taken off 13.08.1940 from Waddington for an operation against Bernburg. Hit by Flak and crashed to the south of Oosthuizen (Noord-Holland, The Netherlands), 18 km ESE of Alkmaar. Captured.] 14.08.1940 - 1945? POW (# 157) in German captivity at Stalag Luft III 13.11.1945 transferred to reserve (dated 13.03.1943) and called up for Air Force service
Clarkson, Bertrand David Son of Hugh Ken and Margaret Thomlin Clarkson, of Edinburgh. His brother, Lt. Alastair Duncan Clarkson, also died on service.	1921 ? - 23.08.1940 (DOW) [age 19] [Edinburgh (Piershill) Cemetery, section J, grave 989]	(A) P/O (prob) 02.09.1939 [42677] P/O (prob) 27.04.1940	02.09.1939 commissioned, RAF (General Duties Branch) [short service commission] ? - 23.08.1940 pilot, 224 Squadron RAF (Coastal Command) [the Hudson I N7244 QX, after having taken off at 12.15 hrs at Leuchars, crashed into a river near Leuchars due to unknown causes; Clarkson died of injuries in St Andrews Cottage Hospital]
Clay, Ralph Arden Lived at Albury, Surrey. Married (02.08.1950, Compton, Surrey) Maj. Diana Bridget Negus, WRAC.	18.04.1908 Burton upon Trent - 04.01.2006 North Cheriton, Somerset	P/O 20.10.1934 [90301] F/O 10.08.1936 F/Lt. 12.03.1940 (T) Sq.Ldr. 01.06.1941 (WS) Sq.Ldr. 01.09.1942 (reld 12.01.1948; retaining the rank of W/Cdr.) (T) W/Cdr. 01.03.1942 MID 01.01.1945 ?	20.10.1934 first commission, Auxiliary Air Force (General Duties Branch): 608 (North Riding) (Bomber) Squadron AuxAF served at Gibraltar, then Malta, then to Egypt, then to "the Middle East", where he was involved in the setting up an establishment to re-assemble aircraft sent out in crates 13.06.1942 transferred, Technical Branch Associate Member of the Institution of Electrical Engineers (A.M.I.E.E.); Associate Member of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (A.M.I.Mech.E.). Emigrated to Northern Rhodesia, employed by Rhokana Corporation (part of Anglo American Mining Corp, Southern Africa) as an electric / mechanical engineer, employed on the design of underground pumping stations for the copper mines.
Clifford, George Richard Melville	14.03.1903 -	Sq.Ldr. 01.12.1936 [16091] (T) Gp.Capt. 01.12.1941 (retd 14.03.1953)	15.08.1923     first commission
Clift, Victor Hugh	28.05.1897 Stoke Damerel, Devon -	P/O 01.04.1918 [15130] F/O 17.08.1921 F/Lt. ? Sq.Ldr. 01.10.1937 (T) W/Cdr. 01.06.1940 (WS) W/Cdr. 03.01.1942 (retd 11.02.1947; retaining rank of Gp.Capt.) MID 01.01.1941 ?	01.04.1918 first commission RAF (General Duties Branch) 17.08.1921 short service commission (1923) 267 Squadron RAF 26.11.1924 permanent commission ... - ... ...
Coaker, Charles Francis Carey Son of Dr. F.W.J. Coaker, of Battlefield, Bromsgrove.	(03?).1903 Bromsgrove -	P/O 26.09.1925, seniority 26.09.1924 F/O 26.03.1926 F/Lt. 14.05.1930 Sq.Ldr. 01.04.1937 [05119] (retd 29.01.1947; medical unfitness; retaining the rank of W/Cdr.) (T) W/Cdr. 01.03.1940	26.09.1925     permanent commission RAF (General Duties Branch) qualified at a specialist course in engineering 24.04.1940     tranferred to Technical Branch 07.04.1942     transferred to General Duties Branch 29.06.1944     tranferred to Technical Branch (1945)     stationed at Pershore, Worcestershire
Cocks, Adrian Harry William James	07.11.1904 Devonport, Devon - 12.1986 West Super Mare, Somerset	Sq.Ldr. 01.04.1937 [16149]	qualified at specialist signals course; additionally qualified at university course in electrical engineering and wireless telegraphy
Cochrane, Sir Ralph Alexander	24.02.1895 Springfield, Fife - 17.12.1977 Burford, Oxfordshire	(A) Air Marshal 15.02.1944	for details, see: www.rafweb.org & the Dictionary of New Zealand Biography
Coe, Richard Son of Walter John and Kate Coe. Husband of Hazel Pauline Coe, of Montreal, Province of Quebec, Canada.	1912 ? Winfield, British Columbia, Canada - 10.01.1940 (KIA} [age 28] [Kirkby Wharfe (St John the Baptist) Churchyard Extension, Yorkshire, A.4]	(A) P/O (prob) 21.12.1936 [39273] <