Archibald Winskill

Air Commodore Sir Archibald Little Winskill, (24 January 1917 – 9 August 2005) was a British Royal Air Force officer. He flew Spitfires in the Battle of Britain and evaded capture twice during the Second World War on two different continents. After the war, he held a number of appointment in different parts of the world. After retiring from the RAF, he became Captain of the Queen's Flight.

Early life Winskill was born on 24 January 1917 in Penrith, Cumberland, to James Winskill. He was educated at Penrith and Carlisle Grammar Schools. Following the outbreak of the Second World War, he was mobilised in September 1939. He was commissioned on 25 August 1940 as a pilot officer (on probation) with seniority from 15 August 1940.

Having trained to fly Spitfires, Winskill was posted to No. 72 Squadron RAF on 4 October 1940. He moved to No. 603 Squadron RAF based at RAF Hornchurch on 17 October. On 25 August 1941, his commission was confirmed and he was promoted to war substantive flying officer with seniority in that rank from 15 August 1941. After two weeks in a French Resistance safe house, the French speaking Winskill was moved down the Pat Line. He was then appointed officer commanding No. 222 Squadron RAF, Subsequently, he attended and graduated from the British Army's Staff College, Camberley. In June 1945, he was posted to the Air Ministry, where he served as the Head of Admin Plans 3 in the Directorate of Administrative Plans.

Post-war service Winskill continued his military service after the war ended and he was given a permanent commission in the Royal Air Force on 1 September 1945 in the rank of squadron leader. He continued to serve at the Air Ministry until 1947. He was then posted to Japan where he served as officer commanding No. 17 Squadron RAF who were part of the Allied occupation forces. and to group captain on 1 July 1959. He served a station commander of RAF Turnhouse and then RAF Duxford. He was posted to Paris, France, as an air attaché, In June 1967,

Later life On 15 February 1968, Winskill was appointed Captain of the Queen's Flight. In that role he did not fly the aircraft but was responsible for the safety and comfort of the Royal passengers in addition to commanding the flight. His arrival coincided with the introduction of the Westland Wessex helicopter and the Hawker Siddeley Andover aircraft to the Flight. His citation read:

On 27 July 1943, he was awarded a further Distinguished Flying Cross. This was shown in the form of a medal bar attached to his original DFC. He was awarded the Air Efficiency Award (AE) in 1944 for long service in the Royal Auxiliary Air Force. In the 1973 Queen's Birthday Honours, he was appointed Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (CVO). In the 1980 New Year Honours, he was promoted to Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (KCVO).

He was appointed extra equerry to Queen Elizabeth II on 15 February 1968. He was awarded the Freedom of the City of London in 1978.