Peter Latham (RAF officer)

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Peter Latham
Born(1925-06-18)18 June 1925
Died4 December 2016(2016-12-04) (aged 91)
AllegianceUnited Kingdom
Service/branchRoyal Air Force
Years of service1944–1981
RankAir Vice Marshal
Commands heldNo. 11 Group (1977–81)
Officer and Aircrew Selection Centre (1973–74)
RAF Tengah (1969–71)
No. 11 Squadron (1958–62)
Battles/warsSecond World War
AwardsCompanion of the Order of the Bath
Air Force Cross
Queen's Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air (2)

Air Vice Marshal Peter Anthony Latham, CB, AFC (18 June 1925 – 4 December 2016) was a senior Royal Air Force officer. From 1977 to 1981, he served as Air Officer Commanding No. 11 Group.[1][2] Earlier in his career, from 1958 to 1960, he was leader of the Black Arrows (predecessor of the current RAF aerobatic team, the Red Arrows).[1] In 1999, he was made an Honorary President of the Royal International Air Tattoo.[3]

Honours[edit]

In the 1954 New Year Honours, Latham was awarded the Queen's Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air.[4] In the 1960 Queen's Birthday Honours, he was awarded the Air Force Cross (AFC).[5] In the 1961 Queen's Birthday Honours, he was awarded the Queen's Commendation for Valuable Service for a second time.[6] In the 1980 New Year Honours, he was appointed a Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB).[7]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "LATHAM, Air Vice-Marshal Peter Anthony". Who's Who 2017. Oxford University Press. November 2016. Retrieved 9 December 2016.
  2. ^ "Air Vice-Marshal Peter Latham, leader of the Black Arrows – obituary". The Daily Telegraph. 8 December 2016. Retrieved 9 December 2016.
  3. ^ "Trustees". Royal Air Force Heraldry Trust. Retrieved 9 December 2016.
  4. ^ "No. 40053". The London Gazette (Supplement). 29 December 1953. pp. 34–35.
  5. ^ "No. 42051". The London Gazette (Supplement). 3 June 1960. p. 4007.
  6. ^ "No. 42370". The London Gazette (Supplement). 2 June 1961. p. 4177.
  7. ^ "No. 48041". The London Gazette (Supplement). 28 December 1979. p. 2.
Military offices
Preceded by Air Officer Commanding No. 11 Group
1977–1981
Succeeded by