Francis Shelmerdine
Encyclopedia
Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Francis Claude Shelmerdine CIE OBE FRAeS (died July 1945) was a senior officer in the Royal Flying Corps
during World War I
and a civil servant working in connection with civil aviation
in the post-War years. Most significantly he was Director-General of Civil Aviation during the 1930s.
He was commissioned a second lieutenant
from the Royal Military College, Sandhurst in January 1901.
In November 1915, Shelmerdine transferred from Alexandra, Princess of Wales's Own Yorkshire Regiment (unofficially known as the Green Howards at that time) to the Royal Flying Corps
.
After the War, Shelmerdine took up duties at the Air Ministry
where he was the Controller of Aerodromes and Licences. He was later dispatched to Cairo
to ensure the smooth-running of the Cairo to Karachi air service. In 1927 Shelmerdine was sent to India to serve as the Director of Civil Aviation in India. He returned to the Air Ministry in 1931 as Director of Civil Aviation, and was Director General of Civil Aviation 1934–41
|-
Royal Flying Corps
The Royal Flying Corps was the over-land air arm of the British military during most of the First World War. During the early part of the war, the RFC's responsibilities were centred on support of the British Army, via artillery co-operation and photographic reconnaissance...
during World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
and a civil servant working in connection with civil aviation
Civil aviation
Civil aviation is one of two major categories of flying, representing all non-military aviation, both private and commercial. Most of the countries in the world are members of the International Civil Aviation Organization and work together to establish common standards and recommended practices...
in the post-War years. Most significantly he was Director-General of Civil Aviation during the 1930s.
He was commissioned a second lieutenant
Second Lieutenant
Second lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer military rank in many armed forces.- United Kingdom and Commonwealth :The rank second lieutenant was introduced throughout the British Army in 1871 to replace the rank of ensign , although it had long been used in the Royal Artillery, Royal...
from the Royal Military College, Sandhurst in January 1901.
In November 1915, Shelmerdine transferred from Alexandra, Princess of Wales's Own Yorkshire Regiment (unofficially known as the Green Howards at that time) to the Royal Flying Corps
Royal Flying Corps
The Royal Flying Corps was the over-land air arm of the British military during most of the First World War. During the early part of the war, the RFC's responsibilities were centred on support of the British Army, via artillery co-operation and photographic reconnaissance...
.
After the War, Shelmerdine took up duties at the Air Ministry
Air Ministry
The Air Ministry was a department of the British Government with the responsibility of managing the affairs of the Royal Air Force, that existed from 1918 to 1964...
where he was the Controller of Aerodromes and Licences. He was later dispatched to Cairo
Cairo
Cairo , is the capital of Egypt and the largest city in the Arab world and Africa, and the 16th largest metropolitan area in the world. Nicknamed "The City of a Thousand Minarets" for its preponderance of Islamic architecture, Cairo has long been a centre of the region's political and cultural life...
to ensure the smooth-running of the Cairo to Karachi air service. In 1927 Shelmerdine was sent to India to serve as the Director of Civil Aviation in India. He returned to the Air Ministry in 1931 as Director of Civil Aviation, and was Director General of Civil Aviation 1934–41
External links
|-