Sir Francis John Linnell | |
---|---|
Air Marshal Linnell (left) meets A C Critchley (right), the newly-appointed Director-General of British Overseas Airways Corporation at an airfield in the Middle East, 1943 | |
Birth name | Francis John Linnell |
Nickname | "Jack" |
Born | 16 March 1892 |
Died | 3 November 1944 | (aged 52)
Place of birth | Margate, Kent, England |
Place of death | Near Tetsworth, Oxfordshire, England |
Cremated at | Charing Crematorium, Charing, Kent[1] |
Allegiance | United Kingdom |
Service/branch |
Royal Navy Royal Air Force |
Years of service |
1914-1944 30 years |
Rank | Air Marshal |
Commands held |
No. 9 Squadron RAF No. 99 Squadron RAF RAF BASE Malta RAF Mildenhall AOA, HQ RAF Bomber Command Dpt. AOC-in-C, RAF MED ME MAAF |
Wars |
World War I World War II |
Awards |
Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire Companion of the Order of the Bath Commander of the Legion of Merit (United States) |
Air Marshal Sir Francis John Linnell KBE CB (born 16 March 1892, Died 3 November 1944) was a British military officer who saw active service in World War I and World War II. He was Controller of Research and Development of the Ministry of Aircraft Production during the development of the Bouncing bomb, the weapon eventually employed in Operation Chastise. 'Jack' was Dubbed Sir Francis in the desert in front of the British press by King George VI and posthumously invested as a Commander in the Legion of Merit by U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
Career[]
Francis John Linnell was born on Isle of Thanet, Margate and was educated at Bloxham School.[2]
World War I[]
"Jack" joined the Royal Naval Reserve as temporary warrant-telegraphist in September 1914, serving with the Royal Naval Air Service in France and Belgium.[3] He learnt to fly at the Grahame-White Flying School Hendon. Flying a Grahame-White Biplane he gained Royal Aero Club Certificate No.1338 in June 1915.[4] Flt Sub-Lt Linnell was responsible for carrying out trials in a special Blackburn-built B.E.2c. The unique aircraft No.3999 was ordered by Admiralty for W/T experiments, it was fitted with a 70 hp Renault engine and had a top speed of 72 mph. Blackburn-built B.E.2cs are recognisable by the ringed airscrew motif on the fin and saw active service in every theatre during the war.[5][6][7]
From March 1916 till the end of 1919 he served with the Grand Fleet as a pilot on HMS Campania, HMS Repulse and HMS Furious[8] and was Mentioned in Despatches[9][10] twice. He ended the Great War with a permanent commission of Captain in the newly formed Royal Air Force.[11]
The Dunning Memorial Cup,[12] given annually to the officer that has done the most to further aviation in connection with the fleet, was awarded Linnell in 1920 "... for flights which led to important developments in artillery and reconnaissance observation."[13]
Inter war years[]
From 1920 he worked as a Royal Air Force (RAF) Communications Officer at the Department of Civil Aviation, then transferred to Signals Staff duties at the Air Ministry in 1925. He was awarded the OBE in June 1923, the citation reads, "This officer has done exceptionally good work in connection with Signals. His liaison with the Navy and the Army has been excellent."[1] He received special thanks from the Air Council for preparing the handbook on air communications and intelligence systems for the air defence of Great Britain.[13]
His first command in October 1930 was No. 9 Squadron RAF located at RAF Manston[14] and then in September 1931 Wg Cdr[15] Linnell was Officer Commanding RAF Malta.[16] He spent 1933 attending the course at RN Staff College Greenwich after which he took command of No. 99 Squadron RAF[17]
He became the first Station Commander at RAF Mildenhall four days before it hosted 70,000 people for the start of the RAeC MacRobertson Air Race (England to Australia) of 1934. Then in July 1935, the year of the Silver Jubilee, RAF Mildenhall welcomed King George V for the first ever Royal review of the RAF.[18][19] Linnell returned to the Air Ministry in July 1935 as Deputy Director of Organisation, Department of A.M.S.O.[7][20]
World War II[]
After attending Imperial Defence College from the beginning of 1939 until August, he was attached to HQ RAF Bomber Command as Air Officer Administration and Mentioned in Despatches[21] in 1940. In February 1941 he joined the Air Ministry as Assistant Chief of the Air Staff in charge of Training. On March, 1941 he was awarded the Companion of the Order of the Bath (C.B.).[8][22] He was appointed Controller of Research and Development Ministry of Aircraft Production and an additional Member of the Air Council in June of the same year.[23][24]
From May 1943 Air Marshal Linnell was Deputy AO C-in-C, RAF Mediterranean and Middle East[25] and He rejoined the Air Ministry in July 1944 for special duties. He died on active service, 3 November 1944,[26] in a car accident in Oxfordshire, aged fifty-two.[7][27] He was cremated at Charing (Kent County) Crematorium.[28]
Project Upkeep[]
Linnell was apparently against the idea of a bouncing bomb[29][30] reasoning that it was drawing development resources away from the prototype high altitude bomber Vickers Windsor, his thinking may have been influenced by Charles Craven, the Chairman at Vickers.[31]
Early in 1943, tests authorised by Linnell in June 1942 at the instigation of Sir Henry Tizard,[31] indicated that a bouncing bomb was technically feasible. A meeting between the Air Ministry, RAF Bomber Command and MAP decided to continue development of project Upkeep with a proposal to have a fully trained squadron ready by May. AOC-in-C of RAF Bomber Command Harris thought differently and saw the project as a waste of precious Lancasters. However Chief of the Air Staff Portal was convinced by film footage of the tests and ordered three Lancasters allocated to the project. One week later, at a meeting convened by Linnell, the number of Lancasters ordered had risen to a squadron and Operation Chastise was planned for that spring.[32]
Personal life[]
Only son of William Henry and Kate Linnell, he had one sister, Marjorie Clare. On 26 May 1917, 'Jack' married Margaret Christabel Carpenter of St Leonards-on-Sea, Sussex, at Christ Church, Turnham Green. They had no children.[1]
Honours[]
Linnell was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in June 1923, and during March 1941 he was appointed a Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB).
Knighted[]
In a ceremony that had not been performed for many years, Linnell was Knighted in the field by King George VI, at an operational airport in the Tunisian desert.
He was advanced from an Officer to a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE)[33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40]
Legion of Merit[]
He was posthumously invested as a Commander of the Legion of Merit (U.S.A.) in recognition of his outstanding services in the Mediterranean theatre of operations from 29 February – 29 June 1944. The decoration was presented to his widow, Lady Linnell, by Brig. Gen. E. F. Koenig, U.S.A.A.F., at a special ceremony in London.[41][42][43]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Kent War Memorials Transcription Project, Charing Crematorium p.15
- ↑ The Oxford Times, 10 November 1944.
- ↑ The Dark Horse, August 1943.
- ↑ "Grahame-White Flying School". 25 June 1915. pp. 428. http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1915/1915%20-%200452.html.
- ↑ flymachines.ru
- ↑ "Admirality order BE2 no.3999". 16 April 1954. pp. 482. http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1954/1954%20-%201078.html.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation, Air Marshal Sir Francis Linnell
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Kent Messenger, 22 March 1941.
- ↑ "No. 30722". 3 June 1918. https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/30722/page/
- ↑ "No. 31378". 3 June 1919. https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/31378/page/
- ↑ "No. 31486". 1 August 1919. https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/31486/page/
- ↑ "Dunning Cup - Award for 1920". 21 July 1921. pp. 495. http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1921/1921%20-%200495.html.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 The Times, 4 November 1944.
- ↑ "No.9 Squadron RAF, RAF Manston". 28 November 1930. pp. 1397. http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1930/untitled0%20-%201475.html.
- ↑ "No. 33731". 30 June 1931. https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/33731/page/
- ↑ "Taking command of RAF Base Malta". 16 October 1931. pp. 1053. http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1931/1931%20-%201123.html.
- ↑ "Taking Command of No. 99 Squadron RAF". 1 February 1934. http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1934/1934%20-%200115.html.
- ↑ Visit RAF Mildenhall. The history of RAF Mildenhall
- ↑ Sunday Graphic and Sunday News, 7 July 1935.
- ↑ "Deputy Director of Organisation". 25 July 1935. pp. 1397. http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1935/1935%20-2-%200118.html.
- ↑ "No. 34893". 11 July 1940. https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/34893/page/
- ↑ "No. 35107". 17 March 1941. https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/35107/page/
- ↑ "No. 35183". 6 June 1941. https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/35183/page/
- ↑ "Appointment to Aircraft Suppy Council, executive in charge of research and development". 19 June 1941. pp. 421. http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1941/1941%20-%201387.html.
- ↑ "Higher-Command Changes". 22 April 1943. pp. 428. http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1943/1943%20-%201050.html.
- ↑ "Died on active Service.". 8 March 1945. http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1945/1945%20-%200464.html.
- ↑ "Caption for picture reads: Air Marshal Sir Francis J. Linnell formerly deputy Air C-in-C. Middle East, who was killed recently in a road accident in Oxfordshire.". 16 November 1944.. http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1944/1944%20-%202394.html.
- ↑ [1] CWGC Casualty Record.
- ↑ Royal Air Force Museum London Wing Commander Winterbotham's Letter
- ↑ 'The Night the Dams Burst' by David Irving
- ↑ 31.0 31.1 New Scientist 2 March 1978 Page 563-564
- ↑ Dambusters - Operation Chastise 1943 by Douglas C.Dildy ISBN 978-1-84603-934-8
- ↑ "No. 36033". 2 June 1943. https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/36033/page/
- ↑ The Times, 25 June 1943
- ↑ Imperial War Museum, THE KING VISITS THE 8TH ARMY.
- ↑ Imperial War Museum, WAR PICTORIAL NEWS NO 116.
- ↑ Imperial War Museum, BRITISH MOVIETONE NEWS ISSUE 734A 1 July 1943.
- ↑ "K.B.E.". 10 June 1943. pp. 611. http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1943/1943%20-%201515.html.
- ↑ "Accolade in the desert". 1 July 1943. pp. 4. http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1943/1943%20-%201684.html.
- ↑ Pittsburgh Post-GazetteSaturday Morning 26 June 1943 Front Page "Arise, Sir Francis!"
- ↑ "Posthumous U.S. Award". 19 April 1945. pp. 414. http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1945/1945%20-%200744.html.
- ↑ "Posthumous U.S. Award cont.". 19 April 1945. pp. 415. http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1945/1945%20-%200747.html.
- ↑ "No. 36915". 30 January 1945. https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/36915/page/
- ↑ 44.0 44.1 44.2 44.3 www.gulabin.com
Not referenced[]
- Movie held by British Pathe News showing Sir F.J. Linnell being knighted in the desert by George VI. (time index 5:20)
- Picture at the National Portrait Gallery of Sir Francis John Linnell.
- Imperial War Museum, ROYAL AIR FORCE OPERATIONS IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA, 1940-1943.
- Picture held by the Imperial War Museum showing THE AIR MINISTRY, 1939-1945.
- BROADHURST PRIVATE COLLECTION.(Reel 5) held by Imperial War Museum and also Colonial Film
- Flt Sub-Lt Linnell "No. 29283". 3 September 1915. https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/29283/page/
- "Flight Lieutenant Linnell". 6 April 1916. pp. 282. http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1916/1916%20-%200282.html?search=Linnell.
- "MiD, 1918.". 6 June 1918. pp. 609. http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1918/1918%20-%200611.html.
- "Lieuts. (Temp. Capts.) to be Temp. Majs. while employed as Majs. (August 1).". 5 September 1918. http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1918/1918%20-%201008.html.
- "Capts. to be graded for purposes of pay and allowances as Majs. while employed as Majs.(May 1).". 5 June 1919. http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1919/1919%20-%200750.html.
- "MiD, 1919.". 12 June 1919. pp. 786. http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1919/1919%20-%200786.html.
- Staff Officer 2nd Class "No. 31708". 30 December 1919. https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/31708/page/
- Recommended for OBE "No. 32830". 2 June 1923. https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/32830/page/
- Squadron Leader Linnell "No. 32952". 1 July 1924. https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/32952/page/
- "Supernumerary - Non effective (Sick) Changes". 12 February 1925. pp. 428. http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1925/1925%20-%200089.html.
- "Second place Gordon Shephard Memorial Prize Essay Awards.". 25 March 1926. http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1926/1926%20-%200215.html.
- "New commander of RAF Base Malta". 13 October 1932. pp. 937. http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1932/1932%20-%201045.html.
- Gp Capt Linnell "No. 34356". 1 January 1937. https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/34356/page/
- "Wing commanders to be Group Captains.". 7 January 1937. http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1937/1937%20-%200047.html.
- Air Cdre Linnell "No. 34641". 30 June 1939. https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/34641/page/
- "MiD, 1940.". 18 July 1940. pp. 56. http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1940/1940%20-%202052.html.
- "Promotion to Air Vice Marshal.". 30 April 1942. http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1942/1942%20-%200947.html.
- The Canberra Times 13 April 1943.
- "New Mediterranean Air Command.". 22 April 1943. http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1943/1943%20-%201019.html.
- "No. 35992". 23 April 1943. https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/35992/page/
- "Picture of Air Marshal Linnell, with Air Chief Marshal Sir F. Bowhill and Sqn. Ldr. R. Edwards.". 19 August 1943. http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1943/1943%20-%202073.html.
- "Promotion from Acting Air Marshall to Air Marshall(temp.". 7 September 1944. http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1944/1944%20-%201869.html.
- The Times, 5 December 1944.
- The Sydney Morning Herald, 4 November 1944.
- Commonwealth War Graves Commission, LINNELL, SIR FRANCIS JOHN.
- Royal United Services Institution. Journal Volume 86, Issue 542, 1941.
- Picture held by Science and Society Picture Library showing recipients of the Order of the Bath 10 April 1941.
- Auction of; Five to Squadron Leader J. H. S. Mitchell, Royal Air Force, 1939-1945 Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; Defence Medal; War Medal. In original box of issue, with corresponding miniatures. The lot comes with a quantity of photographs, documents and general paperwork relaing to him and Air Marshal Sir John Linnell, Secret letters. Details of Air Council Post War Planning Committee. An interesting lot.
- RAF Movements Training History - work in progress.
|
The original article can be found at Francis John Linnell and the edit history here.