Leslie Dalton-Morris
Air Marshal Sir Leslie Dalton Morris, KBE, CB (7 April 1906 – 28 October 1976) was a senior Royal Air Force (RAF) commander in the middle of the twentieth century. He played a leading role in the use of signals in the Air Force both during and after the Second World War.
Sir Leslie Dalton Morris | |
|---|---|
| Born | 7 April 1906 |
| Died | 28 October 1976 (aged 70) |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/ | Royal Air Force |
| Years of service | 1924–63 |
| Rank | Air Marshal |
| Commands held | Maintenance Command (1961–63) Signals Command (1958–61) No. 90 (Signals) Group (1956–58) Central Signals Establishment (1948–50) |
| Battles/wars | Second World War |
| Awards | Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire Companion of the Order of the Bath Mentioned in Despatches |
Early years
After joining the RAF as a trainee pilot in 1924, Dalton-Morris underwent instruction at No. 5 Flying Training School at Sealand near Chester.[1] He served a period as a night flying pilot, then was posted to No. 15 Squadron, before being selected to attend the RAF Electrical and Wireless School in 1929.[1] Graduating from his course as a flight lieutenant with a permanent commission, Dalton-Morris served as the signals officer with No. 203 Squadron in the early 1930s.[1] After a tour of duty at the Marine Aircraft Experimental Establishment at RAF Felixstowe, Dalton-Morris returned to the Electrical and Wireless School as an instructor in 1935.[1]
In 1935 Dalton-Morris attended the RAF Staff College at Andover, Hampshire, received a promotion to squadron leader and in 1938 he was sent to No. 2 Group as a staff officer.[1]
Second World War
The same year as the Second World War started, Dalton-Morris was appointed the Deputy Chief Signals Officer at the headquarters of Fighter Command at RAF Bentley Priory.[1] By January 1941 Dalton-Morris had been promoted to wing commander when he returned to No. 2 Group as a signals officer.[1] The next year he was moved to Bomber Command ,which was No. 2 Group's higher formation.[1] He served as the Deputy Chief Signals Officer at Bomber Command's headquarters at RAF High Wycombe.[1]
In 1943 Dalton-Morris was promoted to acting air commodore and took up new duties as the Senior Air Staff Officer at No. 26 (Signals) Group, which controlled British Radar stations.[1] In early 1944 Dalton-Morris returned to Bomber Command where he served as the Chief Signals Officer.[1]
Post-war
After the war Dalton-Morris held a number of senior signals appointments in the RAF, serving as the Director of Radio/Signals, the Commandant of the Central Signals Establishment from 1948 and the Chief Signals Officer at the headquarters of the Middle East Air Force from 1950.[1]
In March 1952, Dalton-Morris was promoted to acting air vice marshal and made Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Signals).[1] He went on to higher command as Air Officer Commanding No 90 (Signals) Group in 1956 and Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief Signals Command in 1958.[1] In 1961 Dalton-Morris was promoted to air marshal and, having exhausted senior RAF signals appointments, he became Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief Maintenance Command.[2] He retired from that post and the RAF just over two years later in July 1963.[1]
References
- Air of Authority – A History of RAF Organisation – Air Marshal Sir Leslie Dalton-Morris
- Changes in Command Flight International, 20 January 1961
| Military offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by John Weston |
Air Officer Commanding No. 90 (Signals) Group 1956–1958 |
Group upgraded to Command status |
| Command created from No. 90 (Signals) Group | Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief Signals Command 1958–1961 |
Succeeded by Alick Foord-Kelcey |
| Preceded by Sir Douglas Jackman |
Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief Maintenance Command 1961–1963 |
Succeeded by Sir Norman Coslett |