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Air Chief Marshal Sir David George Evans, GCB, CBE (14 July 1924 – 21 February 2020) was a Canadian-British Royal Air Force officer.
Sir David Evans | |
|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | Paddy |
| Born | 14 July 1924[1] Windsor, Ontario, Canada |
| Died | 21 February 2020 (aged 95) |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service | Royal Air Force |
| Years of service | 1944–83 |
| Rank | Air Chief Marshal |
| Commands | Vice-Chief of the Defence Staff (1981–83) Strike Command (1977–80) Vice-Chief of the Air Staff (1976–77) No. 1 Group (1973–75) |
| Battles / wars | Second World War |
| Awards | Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath Commander of the Order of the British Empire Queen's Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air |
Born and educated in Canada, Evans was commissioned into the Royal Air Force as a pilot officer under an emergency commission[2] on 7 April 1944 during the Second World War.[3] He underwent pilot training in Canada and he then completed operational training in Ismaïlia in Egypt.[4] On 7 October 1944, he was promoted to flying officer (war substantive).[5] Evans was one of the first RAF officers to enter Bergen-Belsen concentration camp.[6]
He was promoted to flight lieutenant (war substantive) on 7 April 1946.[7] His promotion to flying officer was confirmed on 30 September 1947 with seniority from 7 April 1946.[8] Evans was promoted to the substantive rank of flight lieutenant on 29 October 1948,[9] with promotions to squadron leader on 1 October 1954,[10] to wing commander on 1 July 1959 and to group captain on 1 July 1964.[11][12]
He piloted the British bobsleigh team at the 1964 Olympics.[6]
In 1973 Evans was made Air Officer Commanding No. 1 Group, in 1976 he was appointed Vice Chief of the Air Staff[13] and he went on to be Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief RAF Strike Command the following year.[14] He was Vice-Chief of the Defence Staff from 1981 to 1983.[4]
In retirement, Evans became a Non-Executive Director of British Aerospace.[15] He retained his Canadian citizenship and made many visits there.[16] He was an honorary citizen of Winnipeg, Canada, Shreveport-Bossier City, United States, and the town of Dunnville, Ontario.[17] He died on 21 February 2020.[6]
On 9 June 1955, Squadron Leader Evans was awarded the Queen's Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air.[18]
In 1985 he was made King of Arms of the Order of the Bath.[19]
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