Rear Admiral Ray Rawbone CB AFC RN
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| Rear Admiral Ray Rawbone CB AFC RN
Joined the Royal Navy in 1942 under the 'Y' scheme. He was trained by the RAF as a fighter pilot and joined 809 Squadron flying Seafires in 1943. Embarked in HMS Stalker he took part in operations in the Atlantic, the invasion of the South of France, Italy, Greece, Burma, Sumatra and Malaya. He served as Senior Pilot for the last six months of the war and remained with the Squadron until the end of 1945. Later qualified as a Flying Instructor, he was awarded the AFC whilst loaned to the RAF on the Staff of the Central Flying School. He has served in the aircraft carriers Stalker, Bulwark, Eagle and Ark Royal and was a member of the first Naval jet Squadron (800 Attackers). He commanded 736 (Attackers, Seahawks) and 897 (Seahawks) squadrons and the Royal Naval Air Station at Yeovilton. He has flown over 40 different types of aircraft. He was the Captain (Air) on FONACs staff during the re-structioning of the Naval Air Command and his sea appointments included the command of HMS Loch Killisport, HMS Dido and HMS Kent. His final post was as DACOS (ops) in SHAPE. He was appointed ADC in 1973 and CB in 1976. |