Andrew George Board
Air Commodore Andrew George Board CMG DSO DL (11 May 1878 – 25 February 1973) was an English soldier and airman. He was a pioneer aviator, first gaining a licence in 1910, who later became an air commodore in the Royal Air Force.
Andrew George Board | |
|---|---|
| Born | 11 May 1878 Westerham, Kent, England |
| Died | 25 February 1973 (aged 94) Morfa Bychan, Caernarvonshire, Wales |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/ | British Army Royal Air Force |
| Years of service | 1900–1931 |
| Rank | Air Commodore |
| Commands held | 5 Squadron RFC 7 Squadron RFC No. 1 School of Technical Training RAF No. 21 Group RAF |
| Battles/wars | World War I |
| Awards | Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George Distinguished Service Order |
| Other work | Deputy Lieutenant of Caernarvonshire |
South Wales Borderers edit
Following a time in the militia, Board was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the South Wales Borderers. In 1910, at his own expense, he learned to fly at Hendon.[1] On 29 November 1910, flying a Bleriot monoplane there, he was awarded the Royal Aero Club Aviator's Certificate No. 36.
In the 1911 Census he was listed as a captain of the 2nd Battalion South Wales Borderers at the Artillery Barracks Pretoria, South Africa.[2]
Royal Flying Corps edit
By 1914, Board had become a flying instructor at the Central Flying School at Netheravon, Wiltshire. On 28 September 1914 he became the officer commanding 7 Squadron RFC at Netheravon before moving to the western front in April 1915 to command 5 Squadron RFC. He later commanded the 10th Wing RFC before taking over 20th (Reserve) Wing in Egypt.[citation needed]
With the formation of the Royal Air Force in 1918, Broad was awarded a permanent commission as a lieutenant colonel. He rose to the rank of air commodore before retiring in 1931.[1] In 1939 he re-joined the RAF as a group captain before retiring again in 1941.[1] In 1943 he became a Deputy Lieutenant in Caernarvon.[1][3]
Honours and award edit
- 1 January 1918 Distinguished Service Order to Maj (T /Lt -Col.) Andrew George Board, S W Borderers and RFC for distinguished service in the Field.[4]
- 1 January 1919 Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George to Lt.-Col. (A./Col.) Andrew George Board, DSO, in recognition of distinguished services rendered during the War.[5]
Family edit
Board was born in Westerham, Kent, on 11 May 1878, the third son of Major John Board and his wife Mary; his father was a magistrate.[6] He married Mrs Phyllis Agnew at St James's Piccadilly on 18 August 1932.[7]
References edit
- ^ a b c d "A History of RAF Organisation - Air Commodore A G Board". /www.rafweb.org. Retrieved 19 May 2010.
- ^ 1911 Census of Overseas Military, RG14/34977, RG14PN34977 RD641 SD2 ED14 SN9999, Andrew George Board, Artillery Barracks Pretoria.
- ^ "News in Brief". News in Brief. The Times. No. 49595. London. 12 July 1943. col G, p. 6.
- ^ "No. 30450". The London Gazette (Supplement). 1 January 1918. p. 18.
- ^ "No. 31098". The London Gazette (Supplement). 1 January 1919. p. 92.
- ^ 1891 Census of Sevenoaks, RG12/674, Folio 123, Page 14, Andrew G. Board, aged 12, High Street, Westerham.
- ^ "Marriages". Marriages. The Times. No. 46216. London. 19 August 1932. col B, p. 13.