Oliver Swann
Encyclopedia
Air Vice Marshal Sir Oliver Swann KCB
, CBE
, RAF
(18 November 1878 – 7 March 1948), born Oliver Schwann, was a leading figure in the Royal Naval Air Service
and senior commander in the Royal Air Force
during the first half of the 20th century.
who was conducting pioneering naval aviation work with airships. Later, Schwann bought an Avro Type D
landplane (at his own expense with support from friends) for £700 and fitted floats to it. Despite not having qualified as a pilot, Schwann managed to fly it off the water. Although Schwann crashed the aircraft, this was the first aircraft take off by a British pilot from salt water.
In November 1912, after Schwann had qualified as a pilot, he was appointed Assistant Director of the Air Department
at the Admiralty, making him deputy to Murray Sueter. Over the next two years Sueter and Schwann worked to establish the Royal Naval Air Service.
, Schwann was promoted to captain and assigned to port duties. The following year he was appointed captain of the aircraft carrier HMS Campania
, a former Cunard liner that had been converted to carry a dozen aircraft. Later in the war, Schwann served as Officer Commanding the Orkneys Division. In 1917 Oliver Schwann anglicized the spelling of his name to Swann. With the establishment of the Royal Air Force
in early 1918, Swann was transferred to the new service. He served as Deputy Chief of the Air Staff
during the last months of the war and into 1919.
the Mediterranean District and the following year his command was redesignated as the Mediterranean Group
. On 1 June 1920, Swann was posted to become Air Officer Commanding Egyptian Group. On his return to Great Britain in early 1923, Swann became Director of Personnel. Later that year his post was retitled Air Member for Personnel when Swann became a member of the Air Council
with responsibility for personnel matters. Swann did not spend long at home. On 27 November 1923 Swann was appointed Air Officer Commanding RAF Middle East. He held this post until late 1926 and he retired from the RAF in 1929.
, Swann was recalled to service as the Commandant of No. 1 School of Technical Training
at RAF Halton
. He retired from the RAF for the second time in July 1940 and afterwards worked as the Air Liaison Officer for the North Midland Region. Swann died only three years after the end of World War II on 7 March 1948 at his home in Littleton, Guildford
.
Order of the Bath
The Most Honourable Order of the Bath is a British order of chivalry founded by George I on 18 May 1725. The name derives from the elaborate mediæval ceremony for creating a knight, which involved bathing as one of its elements. The knights so created were known as Knights of the Bath...
, 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...
, RAF
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...
(18 November 1878 – 7 March 1948), born Oliver Schwann, was a leading figure in the Royal Naval Air Service
Royal Naval Air Service
The Royal Naval Air Service or RNAS was the air arm of the Royal Navy until near the end of the First World War, when it merged with the British Army's Royal Flying Corps to form a new service , the Royal Air Force...
and senior commander in 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...
during the first half of the 20th century.
Early naval aviation
In 1910 Schwann was selected to assist Captain Murray SueterMurray Sueter
Sir Murray Fraser Sueter, CB, MP was a Royal Naval officer who was noted as a pioneer of naval aviation and later became a Member of Parliament .-Naval career:...
who was conducting pioneering naval aviation work with airships. Later, Schwann bought an Avro Type D
Avro Type D
-References:* Lewis, P British Aircraft 1809-1914. London, Putnam, 1962* Jackson, A.J. Avro Aircraft Since 1908. London, Putnam, 1965...
landplane (at his own expense with support from friends) for £700 and fitted floats to it. Despite not having qualified as a pilot, Schwann managed to fly it off the water. Although Schwann crashed the aircraft, this was the first aircraft take off by a British pilot from salt water.
In November 1912, after Schwann had qualified as a pilot, he was appointed Assistant Director of the Air Department
Air Department
The Air Department of the British Admiralty was established prior to World War I by Winston Churchill. Its function was to foster naval aviation developments and later to oversee the Royal Naval Air Service . Its first director was Captain Murray Sueter...
at the Admiralty, making him deputy to Murray Sueter. Over the next two years Sueter and Schwann worked to establish the Royal Naval Air Service.
World War I
In 1914, just prior to 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...
, Schwann was promoted to captain and assigned to port duties. The following year he was appointed captain of the aircraft carrier HMS Campania
HMS Campania (1914)
HMS Campania was a seaplane tender and aircraft carrier, converted from an elderly ocean liner by the Royal Navy early in the First World War. After her conversion was completed in mid-1915 the ship spent her time conducting trials and exercises with the Grand Fleet...
, a former Cunard liner that had been converted to carry a dozen aircraft. Later in the war, Schwann served as Officer Commanding the Orkneys Division. In 1917 Oliver Schwann anglicized the spelling of his name to Swann. With the establishment of 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...
in early 1918, Swann was transferred to the new service. He served as Deputy Chief of the Air Staff
Deputy Chief of the Air Staff
The Deputy Chief of the Air Staff was a senior appointment in the Royal Air Force. The incumbent was the deputy to the Chief of the Air Staff. The post existed from 1918 to 1968 or 1969...
during the last months of the war and into 1919.
Inter-war years
In April 1919 Swann was appointed Air Officer CommandingAir Officer Commanding
Air Officer Commanding is a title given in the air forces of Commonwealth nations to an air officer who holds a command appointment. Thus, an air vice marshal might be the AOC 38 Group...
the Mediterranean District and the following year his command was redesignated as the Mediterranean Group
Group (air force)
A group is a military aviation unit, a component of military organization and a military formation. Usage of the terms group and wing differ from one country to another, as well as different branches of a defence force, in some cases...
. On 1 June 1920, Swann was posted to become Air Officer Commanding Egyptian Group. On his return to Great Britain in early 1923, Swann became Director of Personnel. Later that year his post was retitled Air Member for Personnel when Swann became a member of the Air Council
Air Council
Air Council was the governing body of the Royal Air Force until the merger of the Air Ministry with the other armed forces ministries to form the Ministry of Defence. It was succeeded by the Air Force Board.- Composition :...
with responsibility for personnel matters. Swann did not spend long at home. On 27 November 1923 Swann was appointed Air Officer Commanding RAF Middle East. He held this post until late 1926 and he retired from the RAF in 1929.
World War II
During World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Swann was recalled to service as the Commandant of No. 1 School of Technical Training
No. 1 School of Technical Training
No.1 School of Technical Training is the Royal Air Force's aircraft engineering school, based at RAF Halton from 1919 to 1993, as the Home of the Aircraft Apprentice scheme...
at RAF Halton
RAF Halton
RAF Halton is one of the largest Royal Air Force stations in the United Kingdom, located near the village of Halton near Wendover, Buckinghamshire.HRH The Duchess of Cornwall is the Honorary Air Commodore of RAF Halton.-History:...
. He retired from the RAF for the second time in July 1940 and afterwards worked as the Air Liaison Officer for the North Midland Region. Swann died only three years after the end of World War II on 7 March 1948 at his home in Littleton, Guildford
Littleton, Guildford
Littleton is a hamlet in Surrey, in the United Kingdom. It lies west of Artington, between Guildford to the north and Godalming to the south, strung along Littleton Lane....
.