George Croil
Encyclopedia
Air Marshal
George Mitchell Croil CBE
, AFC
(June 5, 1893 – April 8, 1959) was a Royal Flying Corps
pilot during World War I
who went on to become the first Chief of the Air Staff
of the Royal Canadian Air Force
. He was asked to step down as CAS in 1940 and Croil then served as the Inspector-General of the RCAF until his retirement in 1944 when the post of Inspector General was abolished.
, United States of America. His parents, Thomas and Christian were Scottish immigrants to the United States. Croil was a first cousin of US Brigadier General Billy Mitchell, the father of American military aviation.
When Croil was 11 years old, he moved, with his parents, to Montreal
in Quebec
where he attended the Westmount Academy from 1903 to 1907. From 1907 to 1911, Croil lived in Scotland, studying at Robert Gordon's College
in Aberdeen
. Remaining in Great Britain, Croil studied Civil Engineering for the next two years.
In 1912 Croil moved to Ratnapura
, Ceylon (which at that time was part of British India) where he gained employment as an assistant superintendent with the Mahawale Tea and Rubber Estate. His duties included overseeing the work routines of 700 plantation workers and ensuring that the machinery was kept running.
, Croil enlisted in the Gordon Highlanders as a private soldier. He was soon commissioned, serving as a machine gun officer in the 5th Battalion of the Gordon Highlanders. In January 1915 received an acting promotion to captain was took up duties as a company commander.
In May 1916, Croil was detached to the Royal Flying Corps
and undertook a two month period of flying training. On successfully completing the course and receiving his pilot's wings
in July 1916, Croil was seconded from the Gordon Highlanders to the Royal Flying Corps
with the temporary rank of captain.
in 1924, Croil was one its founder officers. Although the RCAF was described as an air force
and had a separate rank structure in line with the British air force, the RCAF was under the authority of the Canadian Army. The following year, in 1925, Croil was posted to Great Britain where he served as a liaison officer
with the Royal Air Force
. Croil also took a course of training at the RAF Staff College, Andover
.
Return to Canada by 1928, Croil was appointed Station Commander of RCAF Station Borden in Ontario which at that time was one of a very few RCAF training bases. Returning to Great Britain for further advanced training, Croil attended the Imperial Defence College. Crossing back across the Atlantic once more, in 1934 Croil was appointed Senior Air Officer with the RCAF making him the head of the RCAF. In 1938, Croil succeeded in obtaining the RCAF's independence from the Army and accordingly his post was upgraded to Chief of the Air Staff
. Croil then only reported to the Minister of National Defence
.
Croil died on April 8, 1959, in Vancouver
, British Colombia.
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Air Marshal
Air marshal is a three-star air-officer rank which originated in and continues to be used by the Royal Air Force...
George Mitchell Croil CBE
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
, AFC
Air Force Cross (United Kingdom)
The Air Force Cross is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the United Kingdom Armed Forces, and formerly also to officers of the other Commonwealth countries, for "an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying, though not in active operations against the enemy"...
(June 5, 1893 – April 8, 1959) was a Royal Flying Corps
Royal Flying Corps
The Royal Flying Corps was the over-land air arm of the British military during most of the First World War. During the early part of the war, the RFC's responsibilities were centred on support of the British Army, via artillery co-operation and photographic reconnaissance...
pilot during World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
who went on to become the first Chief of the Air Staff
Chief of the Air Staff (Canada)
The Chief of the Air Staff is the commander and institutional head of the Royal Canadian Air Force...
of the Royal Canadian Air Force
Royal Canadian Air Force
The history of the Royal Canadian Air Force begins in 1920, when the air force was created as the Canadian Air Force . In 1924 the CAF was renamed the Royal Canadian Air Force and granted royal sanction by King George V. The RCAF existed as an independent service until 1968...
. He was asked to step down as CAS in 1940 and Croil then served as the Inspector-General of the RCAF until his retirement in 1944 when the post of Inspector General was abolished.
Early and family life
George Mitchell Croil was born on June 5, 1893 in Milwaukee, WisconsinMilwaukee, Wisconsin
Milwaukee is the largest city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin, the 28th most populous city in the United States and 39th most populous region in the United States. It is the county seat of Milwaukee County and is located on the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan. According to 2010 census data, the...
, United States of America. His parents, Thomas and Christian were Scottish immigrants to the United States. Croil was a first cousin of US Brigadier General Billy Mitchell, the father of American military aviation.
When Croil was 11 years old, he moved, with his parents, to Montreal
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
in Quebec
Quebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
where he attended the Westmount Academy from 1903 to 1907. From 1907 to 1911, Croil lived in Scotland, studying at Robert Gordon's College
Robert Gordon's College
Robert Gordon's College is a private co-educational day school in Aberdeen, Scotland. The school caters for pupils from Nursery-S6.-History:...
in Aberdeen
Aberdeen
Aberdeen is Scotland's third most populous city, one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas and the United Kingdom's 25th most populous city, with an official population estimate of ....
. Remaining in Great Britain, Croil studied Civil Engineering for the next two years.
In 1912 Croil moved to Ratnapura
Ratnapura
- Floods :The town of Ratnapura is situated in the flooding plain of the river Kalu. The town experiences regular floods usually in the month of May. There is no large dam across the Kalu, so this leaves the city at the mercy of nature's forces every year. Several proposals have been made to reduce...
, Ceylon (which at that time was part of British India) where he gained employment as an assistant superintendent with the Mahawale Tea and Rubber Estate. His duties included overseeing the work routines of 700 plantation workers and ensuring that the machinery was kept running.
World War I
With the outbreak of World War IWorld War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, Croil enlisted in the Gordon Highlanders as a private soldier. He was soon commissioned, serving as a machine gun officer in the 5th Battalion of the Gordon Highlanders. In January 1915 received an acting promotion to captain was took up duties as a company commander.
In May 1916, Croil was detached to the Royal Flying Corps
Royal Flying Corps
The Royal Flying Corps was the over-land air arm of the British military during most of the First World War. During the early part of the war, the RFC's responsibilities were centred on support of the British Army, via artillery co-operation and photographic reconnaissance...
and undertook a two month period of flying training. On successfully completing the course and receiving his pilot's wings
Aircrew brevet
An aircrew brevet is the badge worn on the left breast, above any medal ribbons, by qualified aircrew in the Royal Air Force, British Army, Indian Air Force, Canadian Forces, Australian Army, Royal Australian Air Force, Royal New Zealand Air Force, South African Air Force and Sri Lanka Air...
in July 1916, Croil was seconded from the Gordon Highlanders to the Royal Flying Corps
Royal Flying Corps
The Royal Flying Corps was the over-land air arm of the British military during most of the First World War. During the early part of the war, the RFC's responsibilities were centred on support of the British Army, via artillery co-operation and photographic reconnaissance...
with the temporary rank of captain.
Inter war service
Croil became a member of the Canadian Air Board in June 1920 and played a key role in the establishment of air bases at Morley and High River in Alberta. On the establishment of the Royal Canadian Air ForceRoyal Canadian Air Force
The history of the Royal Canadian Air Force begins in 1920, when the air force was created as the Canadian Air Force . In 1924 the CAF was renamed the Royal Canadian Air Force and granted royal sanction by King George V. The RCAF existed as an independent service until 1968...
in 1924, Croil was one its founder officers. Although the RCAF was described as an air force
Air force
An air force, also known in some countries as an air army, is in the broadest sense, the national military organization that primarily conducts aerial warfare. More specifically, it is the branch of a nation's armed services that is responsible for aerial warfare as distinct from an army, navy or...
and had a separate rank structure in line with the British air force, the RCAF was under the authority of the Canadian Army. The following year, in 1925, Croil was posted to Great Britain where he served as a liaison officer
Liaison officer
A liaison officer or LNO is a person that liaises between two organizations to communicate and coordinate their activities. Generally, they are used to achieve the best utilization of resources or employment of services of one organization by another. In the military, liaison officers may...
with the Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
. Croil also took a course of training at the RAF Staff College, Andover
RAF Staff College, Andover
The RAF Staff College at RAF Andover was the first Royal Air Force staff college to be established. Its role was the training of officers in the administrative, staff and policy apects of air force matters.-Foundation:...
.
Return to Canada by 1928, Croil was appointed Station Commander of RCAF Station Borden in Ontario which at that time was one of a very few RCAF training bases. Returning to Great Britain for further advanced training, Croil attended the Imperial Defence College. Crossing back across the Atlantic once more, in 1934 Croil was appointed Senior Air Officer with the RCAF making him the head of the RCAF. In 1938, Croil succeeded in obtaining the RCAF's independence from the Army and accordingly his post was upgraded to Chief of the Air Staff
Chief of the Air Staff (Canada)
The Chief of the Air Staff is the commander and institutional head of the Royal Canadian Air Force...
. Croil then only reported to the Minister of National Defence
Minister of National Defence (Canada)
The Minister of National Defence is a Minister of the Crown; the Canadian politician within the Cabinet of Canada responsible for the Department of National Defence which oversees the Canadian Forces....
.
World War II
Croil remain as Chief of the Air Staff until 1940 when he was replaced.Croil died on April 8, 1959, in Vancouver
Vancouver
Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
, British Colombia.
External links
- Juno Beach Centre - Air Vice-Marshal G.M. Croil
- Air Force Association of Canada - Air Marshal George Mitchell Croil, CBE, AFC, MiD and Cde (Fr)
- Canadian Air Force - Half a Century of Croil Hall
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