Edward Masterman
| Edward Masterman | |
|---|---|
Air Commodore Edward Masterman, pictured wearing an early Observer Corps lapel badge on his suit jacket.
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| Born | 15 April 1880 |
| Died | 26 August 1957 (aged 77) Aldershot, Hampshire |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/branch |
Royal Navy (c. 1894–1918) Royal Air Force (1918–29) |
| Years of service | 1894–1929 |
| Rank | Air Commodore |
| Commands held |
No. 10 Group (1924–28) No. 7 Group (1923–24) Central Flying School (1922) No. 22 Group (1918–19) Farnborough Airship Station (1914–15) Naval Airship Section HMS Vesuvius (1909–12) |
| Battles/wars | First World War |
| Awards |
Companion of the Order of the Bath Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George Commander of the Order of the British Empire Air Force Cross |
| Other work | Commandant of the Observer Corps (1929–36) |
Air Commodore Edward Alexander Dimsdale Masterman, CB, CMG, CBE, AFC (15 April 1880 – 26 August 1957) was a senior officer in the Royal Air Force in the first half of the 20th century. After retiring from the RAF, he served as the first ever Commandant of the Observer Corps.
Masterman started his service career in the Royal Navy, attending the Britannia Naval College around 1894. He served on HMS Revenge in the late 1890s and early 1900s, and was promoted to lieutenant in January 1900. After attending Torpedo Specialist Course he in 1907 worked as a Russia interpreter on HMS Vernon.
By 1911 Masterman had become involved in the Navy's efforts to build an experimental airship and the following year he was appointed Officer Commanding the Naval Airship Section.
During the First World War, Masterman served in the Royal Naval Air Service, commanding the Farnborough Airship Station and working in several technical posts; during this time he invented and patented the airship mooring mast with Barnes Wallis. With the establishment of the Royal Air Force on 1 April 1918, Masterman transferred to the new service. Just before the end of the war, he was promoted to brigadier general and appointed General Officer Commanding No. 22 Group. His rank was commuted to air commodore when current RAF ranks were introduced. In 1922 Masterman was appointed as Commandant of the RAF's Central Flying School.
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