Sir David Evans | |
---|---|
Nickname(s) | Paddy |
Born | [1] Windsor, Ontario, Canada | 14 July 1924
Died | 21 February 2020 | (aged 95)
Allegiance | United Kingdom |
Service/ | Royal Air Force |
Years of service | 1944–83 |
Rank | Air Chief Marshal |
Commands held |
Vice-Chief of the Defence Staff (1981–83) Strike Command (1977–80) Vice-Chief of the Air Staff (1976–77) No. 1 Group (1973–75) |
Battles/wars | Second World War |
Awards |
Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath Commander of the Order of the British Empire Queen's Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air |
Air Chief Marshal Sir David George Evans, GCB, CBE (14 July 1924 – 21 February 2020) was a Canadian-British Royal Air Force officer.
Born and educated in Canada, Evans was commissioned into the Royal Air Force as a pilot officer under an emergency commission [2] on 7 April 1944 during the Second World War. [3] He underwent pilot training in Canada and he then completed operational training in Ismaïlia in Egypt. [4] On 7 October 1944, he was promoted to flying officer (war substantive). [5] Evans was one of the first RAF officers to enter Bergen-Belsen concentration camp. [6]
He was promoted to flight lieutenant (war substantive) on 7 April 1946. [7] His promotion to flying officer was confirmed on 30 September 1947 with seniority from 7 April 1946. [8] Evans was promoted to the substantive rank of flight lieutenant on 29 October 1948, [9] with promotions to squadron leader on 1 October 1954, [10] to wing commander on 1 July 1959 and to group captain on 1 July 1964. [11] [12]
He piloted the British bobsleigh team at the 1964 Olympics. [6]
In 1973 Evans was made Air Officer Commanding No. 1 Group, in 1976 he was appointed Vice Chief of the Air Staff [13] and he went on to be Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief RAF Strike Command the following year. [14] He was Vice-Chief of the Defence Staff from 1981 to 1983. [4]
In retirement, Evans became a Non-Executive Director of British Aerospace. [15] He retained his Canadian citizenship and made many visits there. [16] He was an honorary citizen of Winnipeg, Canada, Shreveport-Bossier City, United States, and the town of Dunnville, Ontario. [17] He died on 21 February 2020. [6]
On 9 June 1955, Squadron Leader Evans was awarded the Queen's Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air. [18]
In 1985 he was made King of Arms of the Order of the Bath. [19]
Sir David Evans | |
---|---|
Nickname(s) | Paddy |
Born | [1] Windsor, Ontario, Canada | 14 July 1924
Died | 21 February 2020 | (aged 95)
Allegiance | United Kingdom |
Service/ | Royal Air Force |
Years of service | 1944–83 |
Rank | Air Chief Marshal |
Commands held |
Vice-Chief of the Defence Staff (1981–83) Strike Command (1977–80) Vice-Chief of the Air Staff (1976–77) No. 1 Group (1973–75) |
Battles/wars | Second World War |
Awards |
Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath Commander of the Order of the British Empire Queen's Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air |
Air Chief Marshal Sir David George Evans, GCB, CBE (14 July 1924 – 21 February 2020) was a Canadian-British Royal Air Force officer.
Born and educated in Canada, Evans was commissioned into the Royal Air Force as a pilot officer under an emergency commission [2] on 7 April 1944 during the Second World War. [3] He underwent pilot training in Canada and he then completed operational training in Ismaïlia in Egypt. [4] On 7 October 1944, he was promoted to flying officer (war substantive). [5] Evans was one of the first RAF officers to enter Bergen-Belsen concentration camp. [6]
He was promoted to flight lieutenant (war substantive) on 7 April 1946. [7] His promotion to flying officer was confirmed on 30 September 1947 with seniority from 7 April 1946. [8] Evans was promoted to the substantive rank of flight lieutenant on 29 October 1948, [9] with promotions to squadron leader on 1 October 1954, [10] to wing commander on 1 July 1959 and to group captain on 1 July 1964. [11] [12]
He piloted the British bobsleigh team at the 1964 Olympics. [6]
In 1973 Evans was made Air Officer Commanding No. 1 Group, in 1976 he was appointed Vice Chief of the Air Staff [13] and he went on to be Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief RAF Strike Command the following year. [14] He was Vice-Chief of the Defence Staff from 1981 to 1983. [4]
In retirement, Evans became a Non-Executive Director of British Aerospace. [15] He retained his Canadian citizenship and made many visits there. [16] He was an honorary citizen of Winnipeg, Canada, Shreveport-Bossier City, United States, and the town of Dunnville, Ontario. [17] He died on 21 February 2020. [6]
On 9 June 1955, Squadron Leader Evans was awarded the Queen's Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air. [18]
In 1985 he was made King of Arms of the Order of the Bath. [19]