Keith Williamson: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Content deleted Content added
KasparBot (talk | contribs)
No edit summary
 
(30 intermediate revisions by 18 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Short description|Marshal of the Royal Air Force (1928-2018)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2017}}
{{Use British English|date=August 2017}}
{{Infobox military person
{{Infobox military person
| honorific_prefix = [[Marshal of the Royal Air Force]]
|name= Sir Keith Williamson
| name = Sir Keith Williamson
|image=
| image = Sir Keith Williamson.jpg
|caption=
| image_size =
|birth_date= {{birth date and age|1928|02|28|df=y}}
| alt =
|death_date=
| caption = Sir Keith Williamson
|birth_place= [[Leytonstone]], [[London]]
| nickname =
|death_place=
| birth_date = {{birth date|1928|02|28|df=y}}
|nickname=
| birth_place = [[Leytonstone]], [[London]]
|allegiance= {{flag|United Kingdom}}
| death_date = {{death date and age|2018|5|2|1928|02|28|df=y}}
|branch= {{air force|United Kingdom}}
| death_place =
|serviceyears= 1945–1985
| placeofburial =
|rank= [[Marshal of the Royal Air Force]]
| allegiance = United Kingdom
|commands= [[Chief of the Air Staff (United Kingdom)|Chief of the Air Staff]]<br/>[[RAF Strike Command|Strike Command]]<br/>[[RAF Support Command|Support Command]]<br/>[[RAF Staff College, Bracknell]]<br/>[[RAF Gütersloh]]<br/>[[No. 23 Squadron RAF|No. 23 Squadron]]
| branch = [[Royal Air Force]]
|unit=
| serviceyears = 1945–1985
|battles= [[Korean War]]
|awards= [[Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath]]<br/>[[Air Force Cross (United Kingdom)|Air Force Cross]]
| rank = [[Marshal of the Royal Air Force]]
| servicenumber =
|laterwork=
| unit =
| commands = [[Chief of the Air Staff (United Kingdom)|Chief of the Air Staff]] (1982–85)<br/>[[RAF Strike Command|Strike Command]] (1980–82)<br/>[[RAF Support Command|Support Command]] (1978–80)<br/>[[RAF Staff College, Bracknell]] (1975–77)<br/>[[RAF Gütersloh]] (1968–71)<br/>[[No. 23 Squadron RAF|No. 23 Squadron]] (1966–68)
| battles = [[Korean War]]
| awards = [[Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath]]<br/>[[Air Force Cross (United Kingdom)|Air Force Cross]]
| relations =
| laterwork =
}}
}}
[[Marshal of the Royal Air Force]] '''Sir Keith Alec Williamson''', {{postnominals|country=GBR|size=100%|sep=,|GCB|AFC}} (25 February 1928 &ndash; 2 May 2018) was a senior officer in the [[Royal Air Force]]. He served with the [[Royal Australian Air Force]] flying Meteors in a ground attack role during the [[Korean War]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.scotsman.com/news/obituary-sir-keith-williamson-marshal-raf-who-helped-britain-win-falklands-war-285041|title=Obituary: Sir Keith Williamson, Marshal of the RAF who helped Britain win the Falklands War|website=www.scotsman.com|date=6 June 2018 }}</ref> He was a squadron commander and then a station commander during the 1960s and a senior air commander in the 1980s. He was [[Chief of the Air Staff (United Kingdom)|Chief of the Air Staff]] during the early 1980s at the time of the emergency airlift of food and supplies to [[Ethiopia]] ("Operation Bushel").

[[Marshal of the Royal Air Force]] '''Sir Keith Alec Williamson''' {{postnominals|country=GBR|size=100%|sep=,|GCB|AFC}} (born 25 February 1928) is a retired senior officer in the [[Royal Air Force]]. He served with the [[Royal Australian Air Force]] flying Meteors in a ground attack role during the [[Korean War]]. He was a squadron commander and then a station commander during the 1960s and a senior air commander in the 1980s. He was [[Chief of the Air Staff (United Kingdom)|Chief of the Air Staff]] during the early 1980s at the time of the emergency airlift of food and supplies to [[Ethiopia]] ("Operation Bushel").


==RAF career==
==RAF career==
The son of Percy Williamson and his wife Gertrude, Williamson was educated at [[Bancroft's School]] and [[Robert Smyth School#Market Harborough Grammar School|Market Harborough Grammar School]].<ref name=prob90>Probert, p. 90</ref> He enlisted as an Aircraft Apprentice at [[RAF Halton]] in 1945,<ref name=prob90/> and was transferred to the Aircraft Apprentice Wing at [[RAF Cranwell]], No 1 Radio School where he joined the 50th Entry and was trained as an Air Radio Fitter. After graduating in 1948,<ref name=prob90/> he was selected for a cadetship at [[RAF College Cranwell]] and was commissioned on 13 December 1950.<ref>{{LondonGazette|issue=39135|supp=yes|startpage=541|date=26 January 1951|accessdate=3 June 2012}}</ref> He was sent to the Advanced Flying School at [[RAF Driffield]], where he trained on [[Gloster Meteor|Meteors]] and [[de Havilland Vampire|Vampires]] and was then posted to [[No. 112 Squadron RAF|No. 112 Squadron]] in July 1951 flying Vampires initially from [[RAF Fassberg]] and then from [[Jever Air Base|RAF Jever]] in Germany.<ref name=prob90/>
The son of Percy Williamson and his wife Gertrude, Williamson was educated at [[Bancroft's School]] and [[Robert Smyth School#Market Harborough Grammar School|Market Harborough Grammar School]].<ref name=prob90>Probert, p. 90</ref> He enlisted in the [[Aircraft Apprentice Scheme]] at [[RAF Halton]] in 1945,<ref name=prob90/> and was transferred to the Aircraft Apprentice Wing at [[RAF Cranwell]], No 1 Radio School where he joined the 50th Entry and was trained as an Air Radio Fitter. After graduating in 1948,<ref name=prob90/> he was selected for a cadetship at [[RAF College Cranwell]] and was commissioned on 13 December 1950.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=39135|supp=y|page=541|date=26 January 1951}}</ref> He was sent to the Advanced Flying School at [[RAF Driffield]], where he trained on [[Gloster Meteor|Meteors]] and [[de Havilland Vampire|Vampires]] and was then posted to [[No. 112 Squadron RAF|No. 112 Squadron]] in July 1951 flying Vampires initially from [[RAF Fassberg]] and then from [[Jever Air Base|RAF Jever]] in Germany.<ref name=prob90/>


Promoted to [[flying officer]] on 13 December 1951,<ref>{{LondonGazette|issue=39410|supp=yes|startpage=6589|date=14 December 1951|accessdate=3 June 2012}}</ref> Williamson volunteered to join [[No. 77 Squadron RAAF]] flying Meteors in a ground attack role in the [[Korean War]] in January 1953.<ref name=prob90/> After being promoted to [[flight lieutenant]] on 13 June 1953,<ref>{{LondonGazette|issue=39894|supp=yes|startpage=3465|date=19 June 1953|accessdate=3 June 2012}}</ref> he returned home in late 1953 to become [[aide-de-camp]] to Air Marshal [[Harold Lydford|Sir Harold Lydford]], the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, [[RAF Home Command]].<ref name=prob91>Probert, p. 91</ref> After briefly returning to No. 112 Squadron in 1956, he joined [[No. 20 Squadron RAF|No. 20 Squadron]] at RAF Oldenburg in Germany as a flight commander flying [[Hawker Hunter|Hunters]].<ref name=prob91/> Promoted to [[squadron leader]] on 1 July 1958,<ref>{{LondonGazette|issue=41433|supp=yes|startpage=4143|date=1 July 1958|accessdate=3 June 2012}}</ref> that year he went to the [[Central Flying School]] where he became a [[Qualified Flying Instructor]] and then an examiner.<ref name=prob91/>
Promoted to [[flying officer]] on 13 December 1951,<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=39410|supp=y|page=6589|date=14 December 1951}}</ref> Williamson volunteered to join [[No. 77 Squadron RAAF]] flying Meteors in a ground attack role in the [[Korean War]] in January 1953.<ref name=prob90/><ref>Oliver, D. (1987) British Combat Aircraft in action since 1945 pp. 53-6 {{ISBN|071101678X}}</ref> After being promoted to [[flight lieutenant]] on 13 June 1953,<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=39894|supp=y|page=3465|date=19 June 1953}}</ref> he returned home in late 1953 to become [[aide-de-camp]] to Air Marshal [[Harold Lydford|Sir Harold Lydford]], the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, [[RAF Home Command]].<ref name=prob91>Probert, p. 91</ref> After briefly returning to No. 112 Squadron in 1956, he joined [[No. 20 Squadron RAF|No. 20 Squadron]] at RAF Oldenburg in Germany as a flight commander flying [[Hawker Hunter|Hunters]].<ref name=prob91/> Promoted to [[squadron leader]] on 1 July 1958,<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=41433|supp=y|page=4143|date=1 July 1958}}</ref> that year he went to the [[Central Flying School]] where he became a [[Qualified Flying Instructor]] and then an examiner.<ref name=prob91/>


Williamson attended the [[RAF Staff College, Bracknell|RAF Staff College]] in 1962 and was then post to the [[Air Secretary]]'s department at the [[Air Ministry]].<ref name=prob91/> He was promoted to [[Wing commander (rank)|wing commander]] on 1 January 1964.<ref>{{LondonGazette|issue=43210|supp=yes|startpage=77|date=31 December 1963|accessdate=3 June 2012}}</ref> He was given command of [[No. 23 Squadron RAF|No. 23 Squadron]] flying [[English Electric Lightning|Lightnings]] from [[RAF Leuchars]] in 1966<ref name=prob91/> and became Station Commander at [[RAF Gütersloh]] in 1968.<ref name=WW>''[[Who's Who (UK)|Who's Who]] 2010'', [[A & C Black]], 2010, ISBN 978-1-4081-1414-8</ref> He was awarded the [[Air Force Cross (United Kingdom)|Air Force Cross]] in the 1968 [[Birthday Honours]],<ref>{{LondonGazette|issue=44600|supp=yes|startpage=6330|date=31 May 1968|accessdate=3 June 2012}}</ref> and promoted to [[group captain]] on 1 July 1968.<ref>{{LondonGazette|issue=44625|supp=yes|startpage=7352|date=28 June 1968|accessdate=3 June 2012}}</ref> After attending the [[Royal College of Defence Studies]] in 1971,<ref name=WW/> he became Director of Air Staff Plans at the [[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)|Ministry of Defence]] in 1972<ref name=WW/> and was promoted to [[air commodore]] on 1 January 1973.<ref>{{LondonGazette|issue=45867|supp=yes|startpage=100|date=1 January 1973|accessdate=3 June 2012}}</ref> Promoted to [[air vice marshal]] on 1 July 1975,<ref>{{LondonGazette|issue=46621|supp=yes|startpage=8377|date=30 June 1975|accessdate=3 June 2012}}</ref> he was appointed Commandant of the [[RAF Staff College, Bracknell]], on 16 August 1975.<ref>{{LondonGazette|issue=46663|supp=yes|startpage=10566|date=18 August 1975|accessdate=3 June 2012}}</ref>
Williamson attended the [[RAF Staff College, Bracknell|RAF Staff College]] in 1962 and was then post to the [[Air Secretary]]'s department at the [[Air Ministry]].<ref name=prob91/> He was promoted to [[Wing commander (rank)|wing commander]] on 1 January 1964.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=43210|supp=y|page=77|date=31 December 1963}}</ref> He was given command of [[No. 23 Squadron RAF|No. 23 Squadron]] flying [[English Electric Lightning|Lightnings]] from [[RAF Leuchars]] in 1966<ref name=prob91/> and became Station Commander at [[RAF Gütersloh]] in 1968.<ref name=WW>''[[Who's Who (UK)|Who's Who]] 2010'', [[A & C Black]], 2010, {{ISBN|978-1-4081-1414-8}}</ref> He was awarded the [[Air Force Cross (United Kingdom)|Air Force Cross]] in the 1968 [[Birthday Honours]],<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=44600|supp=y|page=6330|date=31 May 1968}}</ref> and promoted to [[group captain]] on 1 July 1968.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=44625|supp=y|page=7352|date=28 June 1968}}</ref> After attending the [[Royal College of Defence Studies]] in 1971,<ref name=WW/> he became Director of Air Staff Plans at the [[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)|Ministry of Defence]] in 1972<ref name=WW/> and was promoted to [[air commodore]] on 1 January 1973.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=45867|supp=y|page=100|date=1 January 1973}}</ref> Promoted to [[air vice marshal]] on 1 July 1975,<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=46621|supp=y|page=8377|date=30 June 1975}}</ref> he was appointed Commandant of the [[RAF Staff College, Bracknell]], on 16 August 1975.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=46663|supp=y|page=10566|date=18 August 1975}}</ref>
[[File:Gloster Meteor F.4 VT340 Fairey Ringway 21.07.55 edited-2.jpg|thumb|left|300px|[[Gloster Meteor]], a type flown by Williamson during the [[Korean War]]]]
[[File:Gloster Meteor F.4 VT340 Fairey Ringway 21.07.55 edited-2.jpg|thumb|left|300px|[[Gloster Meteor]], a type flown by Williamson during the [[Korean War]]]]
Williamson went on to be Assistant Chief of Staff (Plans and Policy) at [[Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe|SHAPE]] on 10 March 1977<ref>{{LondonGazette|issue=47173|supp=yes|startpage=3577|date=14 March 1977|accessdate=3 June 2012}}</ref> and then became Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief at [[RAF Support Command|Support Command]] with the acting rank of [[air marshal]] on 30 August 1978.<ref>{{LondonGazette|issue=47632|supp=yes|startpage=10619|date=4 September 1978|accessdate=3 June 2012}}</ref> He was promoted to the substantive rank of [[air marshal]] on 1 January 1979.<ref>{{LondonGazette|issue=47745|supp=yes|startpage=667|date=15 January 1979|accessdate=3 June 2012}}</ref>
Williamson went on to be Assistant Chief of Staff (Plans and Policy) at [[Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe|SHAPE]] on 10 March 1977<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=47173|supp=y|page=3577|date=14 March 1977}}</ref> and then became Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief at [[RAF Support Command|Support Command]] with the acting rank of [[air marshal]] on 30 August 1978.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=47632|supp=y|page=10619|date=4 September 1978}}</ref> He was promoted to the substantive rank of [[air marshal]] on 1 January 1979.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=47745|supp=y|page=667|date=15 January 1979}}</ref>


Williamson was made Commander-in-Chief [[RAF Strike Command|Strike Command]] with the acting rank of [[air chief marshal]] on 15 September 1980.<ref>{{LondonGazette|issue=48337|supp=yes|startpage=14270|date=13 October 1980|accessdate=3 June 2012}}</ref> He was promoted to the substantive rank of [[air chief marshal]] on 1 March 1981<ref>{{LondonGazette|issue=48547|supp=yes|startpage=3444|date=9 March 1981|accessdate=3 June 2012}}</ref> and advanced to [[Order of the Bath|Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath]] in the 1982 [[Birthday Honours]].<ref>{{LondonGazette|issue=49008|supp=yes|startpage=3|date=11 June 1982|accessdate=3 June 2012}}</ref> He became [[Chief of the Air Staff (United Kingdom)|Chief of the Air Staff]] on 15 October 1982<ref>{{LondonGazette|issue=49156|supp=yes|startpage=14275|date=1 November 1982|accessdate=3 June 2012}}</ref> and was appointed [[Air Aide-de-Camp]] to [[Elizabeth II|the Queen]] on the same day.<ref>{{LondonGazette|issue=49156|supp=yes|startpage=14274|date=1 November 1982|accessdate=3 June 2012}}</ref> As Chief of the Air Staff he persuaded the British Government to build a completely new airfield at [[RAF Mount Pleasant|Mount Pleasant]] in the [[Falkland Islands]] in the aftermath of the [[Falklands War]].<ref name=prob93>Probert, p. 93</ref> He also implemented the emergency airlift of food and supplies to [[Ethiopia]] in the wake of severe drought, famine and civil war there ("Operation Bushel") and advised on the international agreement to proceed with the [[Eurofighter Typhoon|European Fighter]] programme.<ref name=prob94>Probert, p. 94</ref> He was promoted to [[Marshal of the Royal Air Force]] on 15 October 1985<ref>{{LondonGazette|issue=50286|supp=yes|startpage=14275|date=14 October 1985|accessdate=3 June 2012}}</ref> and retired the same month.<ref name=prob94/>
Williamson was made Commander-in-Chief [[RAF Strike Command|Strike Command]] with the acting rank of [[air chief marshal]] on 15 September 1980.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=48337|supp=y|page=14270|date=13 October 1980}}</ref> He was promoted to the substantive rank of [[air chief marshal]] on 1 March 1981<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=48547|supp=y|page=3444|date=9 March 1981}}</ref> and advanced to [[Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath]] in the 1982 [[Birthday Honours]].<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=49008|supp=y|page=3|date=11 June 1982}}</ref> He became [[Chief of the Air Staff (United Kingdom)|Chief of the Air Staff]] on 15 October 1982<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=49156|supp=y|page=14275|date=1 November 1982}}</ref> and was appointed [[Air Aide-de-Camp]] to [[Elizabeth II|the Queen]] on the same day.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=49156|supp=y|page=14274|date=1 November 1982}}</ref> As Chief of the Air Staff he persuaded the British Government to build a completely new airfield at [[RAF Mount Pleasant|Mount Pleasant]] in the [[Falkland Islands]] in the aftermath of the [[Falklands War]].<ref name=prob93>Probert, p. 93</ref> He also implemented the emergency airlift of food and supplies to [[Ethiopia]] in the wake of severe drought, famine and civil war there ("Operation Bushel") and advised on the international agreement to proceed with the [[Eurofighter Typhoon|European Fighter]] programme.<ref name=prob94>Probert, p. 94</ref> He was promoted to [[Marshal of the Royal Air Force]] on 15 October 1985<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=50286|supp=y|page=14275|date=14 October 1985}}</ref> and retired the same month.<ref name=prob94/>


==Later work==
==Later work==
In retirement Williamson devoted much of his time to the Presidency of the [[Royal Air Forces Association]].<ref name=prob94/> He was also Vice-President of [[SSAFA Forces Help|SSAFA]].<ref name=prob94/>
In retirement Williamson devoted much of his time to the Presidency of the [[Royal Air Forces Association]].<ref name=prob94/> He was also Vice-President of [[SSAFA Forces Help|SSAFA]].<ref name=prob94/>

He died on 2 May 2018 at the age of 90.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://announcements.telegraph.co.uk/deaths/224089/williamson|title=Williamson - Deaths Announcements - Telegraph Announcements|website=announcements.telegraph.co.uk}}</ref>


==Personal life==
==Personal life==
In 1953 he married Patricia Anne Watts; they had two sons and two daughters.<ref name=WW/> His interests include golf.<ref name=WW/>
In 1953 he married Patricia Anne Watts; they had two sons and two daughters.<ref name=WW/> His interests included golf.<ref name=WW/>


==References==
==References==
Line 46: Line 56:
{{s-start}}
{{s-start}}
{{s-mil}}
{{s-mil}}
|-
{{s-bef|before=D F C Ross}}
{{s-bef|before=D F C Ross}}
{{s-ttl|title=Station Commander [[RAF Gutersloh]]|years=1968–1971}}
{{s-ttl|title=Station Commander [[RAF Gutersloh]]|years=1968–1971}}
Line 53: Line 62:
{{s-bef|before=[[Alasdair Steedman]]}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Alasdair Steedman]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=Commandant of the [[RAF Staff College, Bracknell]]<br>[[Air Officer Commanding]] Command and Staff Training|years=1975–1977}}
{{s-ttl|title=Commandant of the [[RAF Staff College, Bracknell]]<br>[[Air Officer Commanding]] Command and Staff Training|years=1975–1977}}
{{s-aft|after=[[John Curtiss]]}}
{{s-aft|after=[[John Curtiss (Royal Air Force officer)|John Curtiss]]}}
|-
|-
{{s-bef|before=[[Rex Roe|Sir Rex Roe]]}}
{{succession box|title=Commander-in-Chief [[RAF Support Command|Support Command]]|
{{s-ttl|title=Commander-in-Chief [[RAF Support Command|Support Command]]|years=1978–1980}}
before=[[Rex Roe|Sir Rex Roe]]|
after=[[John Gingell|Sir John Gingell]]|
{{s-aft|after=[[John Gingell|Sir John Gingell]]}}
|-
years=1978–1980}}
{{succession box | title=Commander-in-Chief [[RAF Strike Command]] | before=[[David Evans (RAF officer)|Sir David Evans]] | after=[[David Craig, Baron Craig of Radley|David Craig]] | years=1980–1982}}
{{s-bef|before=[[David Evans (RAF officer)|Sir David Evans]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=Commander-in-Chief [[RAF Strike Command]]|years=1980–1982}}
{{succession box | title=[[Chief of the Air Staff (United Kingdom)|Chief of the Air Staff]] | before=[[Michael Beetham|Sir Michael Beetham]] | after=[[David Craig, Baron Craig of Radley|David Craig]] | years=1982–1985}}
{{s-aft|after=[[David Craig, Baron Craig of Radley|Sir David Craig]]|rows=2}}
|-
{{s-bef|before=[[Michael Beetham|Sir Michael Beetham]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Chief of the Air Staff (United Kingdom)|Chief of the Air Staff]]|years=1982–1985}}
{{s-end}}
{{s-end}}


Line 66: Line 79:


{{DEFAULTSORT:Williamson, Keith}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Williamson, Keith}}
[[Category:1928 births]]
[[Category:2018 deaths]]
[[Category:Marshals of the Royal Air Force]]
[[Category:Marshals of the Royal Air Force]]
[[Category:Chiefs of the Air Staff (United Kingdom)]]
[[Category:Chiefs of the Air Staff (United Kingdom)]]
[[Category:Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath]]
[[Category:Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Air Force Cross (United Kingdom)]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Air Force Cross (United Kingdom)]]
[[Category:1928 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Graduates of the Royal Air Force College Cranwell]]
[[Category:Graduates of the Royal Air Force College Cranwell]]
[[Category:Trenchard Brats]]
[[Category:Trenchard Brats]]
[[Category:Graduates of the Royal College of Defence Studies]]
[[Category:Military personnel from London]]
[[Category:People educated at Bancroft's School]]

Latest revision as of 16:27, 25 April 2024


Sir Keith Williamson
Sir Keith Williamson
Born(1928-02-28)28 February 1928
Leytonstone, London
Died2 May 2018(2018-05-02) (aged 90)
AllegianceUnited Kingdom
Service/branchRoyal Air Force
Years of service1945–1985
RankMarshal of the Royal Air Force
Commands heldChief of the Air Staff (1982–85)
Strike Command (1980–82)
Support Command (1978–80)
RAF Staff College, Bracknell (1975–77)
RAF Gütersloh (1968–71)
No. 23 Squadron (1966–68)
Battles/warsKorean War
AwardsKnight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath
Air Force Cross

Marshal of the Royal Air Force Sir Keith Alec Williamson, GCB, AFC (25 February 1928 – 2 May 2018) was a senior officer in the Royal Air Force. He served with the Royal Australian Air Force flying Meteors in a ground attack role during the Korean War.[1] He was a squadron commander and then a station commander during the 1960s and a senior air commander in the 1980s. He was Chief of the Air Staff during the early 1980s at the time of the emergency airlift of food and supplies to Ethiopia ("Operation Bushel").

RAF career[edit]

The son of Percy Williamson and his wife Gertrude, Williamson was educated at Bancroft's School and Market Harborough Grammar School.[2] He enlisted in the Aircraft Apprentice Scheme at RAF Halton in 1945,[2] and was transferred to the Aircraft Apprentice Wing at RAF Cranwell, No 1 Radio School where he joined the 50th Entry and was trained as an Air Radio Fitter. After graduating in 1948,[2] he was selected for a cadetship at RAF College Cranwell and was commissioned on 13 December 1950.[3] He was sent to the Advanced Flying School at RAF Driffield, where he trained on Meteors and Vampires and was then posted to No. 112 Squadron in July 1951 flying Vampires initially from RAF Fassberg and then from RAF Jever in Germany.[2]

Promoted to flying officer on 13 December 1951,[4] Williamson volunteered to join No. 77 Squadron RAAF flying Meteors in a ground attack role in the Korean War in January 1953.[2][5] After being promoted to flight lieutenant on 13 June 1953,[6] he returned home in late 1953 to become aide-de-camp to Air Marshal Sir Harold Lydford, the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, RAF Home Command.[7] After briefly returning to No. 112 Squadron in 1956, he joined No. 20 Squadron at RAF Oldenburg in Germany as a flight commander flying Hunters.[7] Promoted to squadron leader on 1 July 1958,[8] that year he went to the Central Flying School where he became a Qualified Flying Instructor and then an examiner.[7]

Williamson attended the RAF Staff College in 1962 and was then post to the Air Secretary's department at the Air Ministry.[7] He was promoted to wing commander on 1 January 1964.[9] He was given command of No. 23 Squadron flying Lightnings from RAF Leuchars in 1966[7] and became Station Commander at RAF Gütersloh in 1968.[10] He was awarded the Air Force Cross in the 1968 Birthday Honours,[11] and promoted to group captain on 1 July 1968.[12] After attending the Royal College of Defence Studies in 1971,[10] he became Director of Air Staff Plans at the Ministry of Defence in 1972[10] and was promoted to air commodore on 1 January 1973.[13] Promoted to air vice marshal on 1 July 1975,[14] he was appointed Commandant of the RAF Staff College, Bracknell, on 16 August 1975.[15]

Gloster Meteor, a type flown by Williamson during the Korean War

Williamson went on to be Assistant Chief of Staff (Plans and Policy) at SHAPE on 10 March 1977[16] and then became Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief at Support Command with the acting rank of air marshal on 30 August 1978.[17] He was promoted to the substantive rank of air marshal on 1 January 1979.[18]

Williamson was made Commander-in-Chief Strike Command with the acting rank of air chief marshal on 15 September 1980.[19] He was promoted to the substantive rank of air chief marshal on 1 March 1981[20] and advanced to Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath in the 1982 Birthday Honours.[21] He became Chief of the Air Staff on 15 October 1982[22] and was appointed Air Aide-de-Camp to the Queen on the same day.[23] As Chief of the Air Staff he persuaded the British Government to build a completely new airfield at Mount Pleasant in the Falkland Islands in the aftermath of the Falklands War.[24] He also implemented the emergency airlift of food and supplies to Ethiopia in the wake of severe drought, famine and civil war there ("Operation Bushel") and advised on the international agreement to proceed with the European Fighter programme.[25] He was promoted to Marshal of the Royal Air Force on 15 October 1985[26] and retired the same month.[25]

Later work[edit]

In retirement Williamson devoted much of his time to the Presidency of the Royal Air Forces Association.[25] He was also Vice-President of SSAFA.[25]

He died on 2 May 2018 at the age of 90.[27]

Personal life[edit]

In 1953 he married Patricia Anne Watts; they had two sons and two daughters.[10] His interests included golf.[10]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Obituary: Sir Keith Williamson, Marshal of the RAF who helped Britain win the Falklands War". www.scotsman.com. 6 June 2018.
  2. ^ a b c d e Probert, p. 90
  3. ^ "No. 39135". The London Gazette (Supplement). 26 January 1951. p. 541.
  4. ^ "No. 39410". The London Gazette (Supplement). 14 December 1951. p. 6589.
  5. ^ Oliver, D. (1987) British Combat Aircraft in action since 1945 pp. 53-6 ISBN 071101678X
  6. ^ "No. 39894". The London Gazette (Supplement). 19 June 1953. p. 3465.
  7. ^ a b c d e Probert, p. 91
  8. ^ "No. 41433". The London Gazette (Supplement). 1 July 1958. p. 4143.
  9. ^ "No. 43210". The London Gazette (Supplement). 31 December 1963. p. 77.
  10. ^ a b c d e Who's Who 2010, A & C Black, 2010, ISBN 978-1-4081-1414-8
  11. ^ "No. 44600". The London Gazette (Supplement). 31 May 1968. p. 6330.
  12. ^ "No. 44625". The London Gazette (Supplement). 28 June 1968. p. 7352.
  13. ^ "No. 45867". The London Gazette (Supplement). 1 January 1973. p. 100.
  14. ^ "No. 46621". The London Gazette (Supplement). 30 June 1975. p. 8377.
  15. ^ "No. 46663". The London Gazette (Supplement). 18 August 1975. p. 10566.
  16. ^ "No. 47173". The London Gazette (Supplement). 14 March 1977. p. 3577.
  17. ^ "No. 47632". The London Gazette (Supplement). 4 September 1978. p. 10619.
  18. ^ "No. 47745". The London Gazette (Supplement). 15 January 1979. p. 667.
  19. ^ "No. 48337". The London Gazette (Supplement). 13 October 1980. p. 14270.
  20. ^ "No. 48547". The London Gazette (Supplement). 9 March 1981. p. 3444.
  21. ^ "No. 49008". The London Gazette (Supplement). 11 June 1982. p. 3.
  22. ^ "No. 49156". The London Gazette (Supplement). 1 November 1982. p. 14275.
  23. ^ "No. 49156". The London Gazette (Supplement). 1 November 1982. p. 14274.
  24. ^ Probert, p. 93
  25. ^ a b c d Probert, p. 94
  26. ^ "No. 50286". The London Gazette (Supplement). 14 October 1985. p. 14275.
  27. ^ "Williamson - Deaths Announcements - Telegraph Announcements". announcements.telegraph.co.uk.

Sources[edit]

  • Probert, Henry (1991). High Commanders of the Royal Air Force. HMSO. ISBN 0-11-772635-4.
Military offices
Preceded by
D F C Ross
Station Commander RAF Gutersloh
1968–1971
Succeeded by
Preceded by Commandant of the RAF Staff College, Bracknell
Air Officer Commanding Command and Staff Training

1975–1977
Succeeded by
Preceded by Commander-in-Chief Support Command
1978–1980
Succeeded by
Preceded by Commander-in-Chief RAF Strike Command
1980–1982
Succeeded by
Preceded by Chief of the Air Staff
1982–1985