Robert Foster (RAF officer)
| Sir Robert Mordaunt Foster | |
|---|---|
Air Marshal Sir Arthur Tedder (left), Lady Tedder, and Air Vice Marshal Foster in the Officers' Mess of No. 8 Wing SAAF at Campoformido, Udine, Italy.
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| Born |
3 September 1898 Richmond, Surrey, England |
| Died | 23 October 1973 (aged 75) Suffolk, England |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/branch |
British Army (1914–18) Royal Air Force (1918–54) |
| Years of service | 1914–54 |
| Rank | Air Chief Marshal |
| Commands held |
Second Tactical Air Force (1951–53) Home Command (1949–51) No. 3 Group (1946–47) RAF Italy (1946) RAF Austria (1945–46) Desert Air Force (1944–45) RAF Malta (1944) No. 213 Group (1942–43) No. 214 Group (1942) RAF Wyton (1940–41) No. 110 Squadron (1939–40) No. 15 Squadron (1933–35) |
| Battles/wars |
First World War Second World War |
| Awards |
Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath Commander of the Order of the British Empire Distinguished Flying Cross Mentioned in Despatches (5) Commander of the Legion of Merit (United States) |
| Other work | Deputy Lieutenant of Suffolk |
Air Chief Marshal Sir Robert Mordaunt Foster, KCB, CBE, DFC, DL (3 September 1898 – 23 October 1973) was a Royal Flying Corps pilot in the First World War, and a senior commander in the Royal Air Force during the Second World War and the immediate post-war years.
Foster was educated at Winchester College and the Royal Military College at Sandhurst, graduating as a Gentlemen Cadet. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Royal Fusiliers on 19 July 1916, but was seconded to the Royal Flying Corps, and on 7 October 1916 was appointed a flying officer. He was sent to France to join No. 54 Squadron flying the Sopwith Camel. While with 54 Squadron, Foster shot down at least one enemy machine. Later in the war Foster returned to Great Britain, carrying out home defence duties whilst serving with No. 44 Squadron. On 19 January 1918 he was promoted to lieutenant. In April 1918, Foster returned to France, serving as a flight commander with the rank of temporary captain from 15 May, in No. 209 Squadron where he claimed three shared enemy aircraft captured, nine shared enemy aircraft destroyed, and four shared enemy aircraft 'out of control', giving a total of 16.
On 2 August 1918 Foster was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, his citation reading:
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