Have You a Tiger In Your Family?

Rank : Gp Capt

Army Number : 04102 (RAF)

Unit : 4th Bn

Biography :

George Lawson enlisted as a Private in 4th Bn The Leicestershire Regiment, and was commissioned 2Lt on 17.8.1915. Awarded the M.C. (L.G. 26.7.1917 "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. When in charge of a wiring party in front of an advanced post, he directed the -work under continual hostile fire, and succeeded in putting up a strong entanglement. He has on previous occasions shown courage of a high order and fine leadership."). Promoted Lt on 1. 7.1917. Acting Captain and Acting Company Commander 18-27.6.1917, 22.10.1917, and 30.1-7.3.1918: Transferred to the Royal Flying Corps in 1918 and thence to the Royal Air Force, as 2Lt (Obs Off) 25.6.1918 in No 25 Sqn, of which he was Acting OC on 2.3.1919. 7 Nov 1919 Staff (Observer), No 5 FTS; 31 May 1919 transferred to Unemployed List; 1 Aug 1919 awarded Permanent/Short Service Commission; 1 Aug-19 Oct 1919 on Half Pay List, Scale A; 20 Aug-5 Nov 1919 on Half Pay List, Scale B. Promoted Flt Lt on 1.7.1921. 1920 member, Shotwick Mobile Disposal Sqn; 26 Apr 1920 Under Training Pilot/Staff, No 5 FTS; 19 Sep 1921 instructor, Armament and Gunnery School; 3 Apr 1922 attended RAF Staff College; 4 Apr 1923 Air Staff, HQ No 3 Group; 27 Nov 1924 Air Staff (detached), HQ Iraq Command; 20 Nov 1926 Air Staff, HQ RAF Middle East; 4 Feb 1929 pilot, No 216 Sqn; 9 Dec 1929 Staff, Directorate of Operations and Intelligence; promoted Sqn Ldr 14 May 1930. 17 Aug 1934-Apr 1936: Flight Commander and then OC, No 500 (County of Kent) Sqn Aux AF. Acting Wg Cdr 1935. 25 Apr 1936 Air Staff, HQ RAF Middle East; promoted Wg Cdr 1 Jan 1937; 20 Mar 1939 Operations Staff, HQ Fighter Command; 1 Jan 1940 Group Captain Operations, HQ Fighter Command, and promoted Temporary Gp Capt; awarded C.B.E. on 17.3.1941. 1 Feb 1941 Senior Air Staff Officer, HQ No 9 (Fighter) Group and promoted Gp Capt on 14 Apr 1941; 21 Jul 1942 AOC, No 82 (Fighter) Group and promoted Temporary Air Commodore. 15 Oct 1942 RAF Liaison Officer, HQ British First Army, Tunisia; 1942 AOC, No 242 Group and awarded Mention in Despatches on 2.6.1943. From Sep 1943 till the end of the War he was Director of Operations (Air Defence) in the Air Ministry, where among other matters he was responsible for the air defence of GB and for defence measures against the German V1 and V2 weapons. For this tour of duty he was recommended for but not awarded the C.B. He retired as Air Commodore on 21.12.1945. Died in 1965, aged 71 years.

Date of Birth : 24.2.1894

Date of Death : 1965

Period of Service : 1915-45

Conflicts : WW1, WW2

Places Served : France and Flanders, UK, Iraq, Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia