Australian Born Air Chief Marshall Sir William (Gore Sutherland) Mitchell

spidge · 18 October 2009, 04:48 AM

I did notice on a previous thread that this RFC officer was listed as NZ born.

William Mitchell (Officer Commanding 20 group 1918) was born at Cumberland, New South Wales on March 8th 1888.

I am presently trying to confirm that he attended Wellington College - Berkshire from 1902-1906 where he also Captained the Rugby 15.

Mitchell's final responsibility (after a distinguished career post war) in the RAF

Quote:

demanded his zeal, leadership, and organizational skills, as he was based in Glasgow to oversee the distribution, installation, and speedy completion of the chain of radio direction-finding (radar) stations on the highlands and islands of Scotland. Described by the air minister as 'temporary work of exceptional importance', his task was completed by September 1941, and he was placed on the retired list. This enabled him to take up his new post as gentleman usher of the black rod in the House of Lords-the first officer of the RAF to be appointed to that post.

Cheers

Geoff

spidge · 18 October 2009, 05:25 PM

Received an email from the Wellington College (Old Wellingtonians) and they have confirmed Sir William attended the school 1902-1906.

Cheers

Geoff

errolmartyn · 19 October 2009, 02:21 AM

Geoff,

Sorry to be pedantic, but it's Air Marshal (not Air Marshall).

Errol

Breguet · 19 October 2009, 03:48 AM

Interesting project!

spidge · 19 October 2009, 05:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by errolmartyn

Geoff,

Sorry to be pedantic, but it's Air Marshal (not Air Marshall).

Errol

Errol, you are so correct. I often make that mistake writing the surname (Marshall) instead of the proper one "L".

Maybe one of the mods could edit it for me.

Cheers

Geoff

john_g · 19 October 2009, 08:56 AM

I see below this post that there is a mention of the above, for those that might be interested in him and others with Australian or New Zealand connections take a look at

66 Squadron

john_g

spidge · 19 October 2009, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by john_g

I see below this post that there is a mention of the above, for those that might be interested in him and others with Australian or New Zealand connections take a look at

john_g

Great site John - Thank you for posting.

The "Gore" in the post is one of the middle names of Sir William Mitchell. His rise in rank, during and post WW1 was quite significant.

Cheers

Geoff

spidge · 19 October 2009, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by errolmartyn

Geoff,

Sorry to be pedantic, but it's Air Marshal (not Air Marshall).

Errol

Hi Errol,

Forgot to ask! Is this your work?

For Your Tommorow: A Record of New Zealanders who have Died while Serving with the RNZAF and Allied Air Services since 1915. Volume One: Fates 1915 - 1942.
Martyn,Errol W.
Christchurch:Volplane Press,1998

Cheers

Geoff

errolmartyn · 20 October 2009, 02:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spidge

Hi Errol,

Forgot to ask! Is this your work?

For Your Tommorow: A Record of New Zealanders who have Died while Serving with the RNZAF and Allied Air Services since 1915. Volume One: Fates 1915 - 1942.
Martyn,Errol W.
Christchurch:Volplane Press,1998

Cheers

Geoff

Geoff,

Err, yes, guilty as charged!

Also Vol Two (Fates: 1943-1998), 1999 (out of print)
And Vol Three (Biographies & Appendices), 2008
Making for a trilogy totalling 1496 pages covering some 4900 casualties in all.

Errol