Air Marshal Sir Gerald Ernest Gibbs, KBE, CIE, MC & Two Bars (3 September 1896 – 13 October 1992) was a senior commander in the Royal Air Force in the first half of the 20th century and the last RAF commander-in-chief of the Indian Air Force.
Sir Gerald Gibbs | |
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Born | South Norwood, England | 3 September 1896
Died | 13 October 1992 Harare, Zimbabwe | (aged 96)
Allegiance | United Kingdom |
Service | British Army (1914–18) Royal Air Force (1918–54) |
Years of service | 1914–1954 |
Rank | Air Marshal |
Unit | No. 17 Squadron RAF |
Commands | Indian Air Force (1951–54) RAF Kenya (1935–36) No. 47 Squadron (1934–35) |
Battles / wars | First World War Second World War |
Awards | Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire Companion of the Order of the Indian Empire Military Cross & Two Bars Mentioned in Despatches (2) Knight of the Legion of Honour (France) Croix de guerre (France) |
He was educated at Kingston Grammar School, Surrey. During the First World War he scored 10 victories (all in the S.E.5 biplane), becoming a double ace. He retired to Harare, Zimbabwe, in 1984.[1]
References
edit- ^ Gerald Gibbs, Harare Obituaries – 1992