Paterson Fraser
Encyclopedia
Air Marshal
The Reverend Sir Henry Paterson Fraser KBE CB AFC
(15 July 1907 – 4 August 2001) was a senior commander in the Royal Air Force
during World War II
and also in the post-War years.
, Fraser joined the Royal Air Force in 1929. He became a test pilot in 1934. He served in World War II
as Officer Commanding the Experimental Flying Section at RAE Farnborough
and then as Deputy Director of War Organisation at the Air Ministry
. In this capacity he prepared the early plans for the Normandy landings. He continued his war service on the staff at Headquarters Second Tactical Air Force and then as Commandant
of the Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment
.
After the War he became Deputy Director of Policy (Air Staff) and then a member of the Defence Research Policy Staff. He was appointed Senior Air Staff Officer at Headquarters RAF Fighter Command
in 1952, Chief of Staff at Headquarters Allied Air Forces Central Europe
in 1954 and Air Officer Commanding No. 12 (Fighter) Group
in 1956. He went on to be Director of RAF Exercise Planning in 1959, UK Permanent Military Representative at CENTO
later in 1959 and Inspector-General of the RAF
in 1962 before retiring in 1964.
In retirement he was ordained as a priest
.
Air Marshal
Air marshal is a three-star air-officer rank which originated in and continues to be used by the Royal Air Force...
The Reverend Sir Henry Paterson Fraser KBE CB 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"...
(15 July 1907 – 4 August 2001) was a 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 World War II
World 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...
and also in the post-War years.
RAF career
Educated ar Pembroke College, CambridgePembroke College, Cambridge
Pembroke College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge, England.The college has over seven hundred students and fellows, and is the third oldest college of the university. Physically, it is one of the university's larger colleges, with buildings from almost every century since its...
, Fraser joined the Royal Air Force in 1929. He became a test pilot in 1934. He served in World War II
World 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...
as Officer Commanding the Experimental Flying Section at RAE Farnborough
Royal Aircraft Establishment
The Royal Aircraft Establishment , was a British research establishment, known by several different names during its history, that eventually came under the aegis of the UK Ministry of Defence , before finally losing its identity in mergers with other institutions.The first site was at Farnborough...
and then as Deputy Director of War Organisation at the Air Ministry
Air Ministry
The Air Ministry was a department of the British Government with the responsibility of managing the affairs of the Royal Air Force, that existed from 1918 to 1964...
. In this capacity he prepared the early plans for the Normandy landings. He continued his war service on the staff at Headquarters Second Tactical Air Force and then as Commandant
Commandant
Commandant is a senior title often given to the officer in charge of a large training establishment or academy. This usage is common in anglophone nations...
of the Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment
Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment
The Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment was a research facility for British military aviation from 1918 to 1992.-History:...
.
After the War he became Deputy Director of Policy (Air Staff) and then a member of the Defence Research Policy Staff. He was appointed Senior Air Staff Officer at Headquarters RAF Fighter Command
RAF Fighter Command
RAF Fighter Command was one of three functional commands of the Royal Air Force. It was formed in 1936 to allow more specialised control of fighter aircraft. It served throughout the Second World War, gaining recognition in the Battle of Britain. The Command continued until 17 November 1943, when...
in 1952, Chief of Staff at Headquarters Allied Air Forces Central Europe
Allied Air Forces Central Europe
Allied Air Forces Central Europe was the headquarters for NATO air forces in Central Europe from 1951 to 1967 and from 1974 to 1993.-History:It was first based at Fontainebleau , and originally activated in April 1951...
in 1954 and Air Officer Commanding No. 12 (Fighter) Group
No. 12 Group RAF
No. 12 Group of the Royal Air Force was a command organization that exisited over two separate periods, namely the end of World War I when it had a training function and from just prior to World War II until the early 1960s when it was tasked with an air defence role.No. 12 Group was first formed...
in 1956. He went on to be Director of RAF Exercise Planning in 1959, UK Permanent Military Representative at CENTO
Central Treaty Organization
The Central Treaty Organization was formed in 1955 by Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, Turkey, and the United Kingdom. It was dissolved in 1979.U.S...
later in 1959 and Inspector-General of the RAF
Inspector-General of the RAF
The Inspector-General of the RAF was a senior appointment in the Royal Air Force, responsible for the inspection of airfields. The post existed from 1918 to 1920 and from 1935 until the late 1960s....
in 1962 before retiring in 1964.
In retirement he was ordained as a priest
Priest
A priest is a person authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in particular, rites of sacrifice to, and propitiation of, a deity or deities...
.