Frank Inglis

Air Vice Marshal Francis Frederic Inglis, (22 June 1899 – 25 September 1969) was an officer in the Royal Air Force who became the head of RAF Intelligence Staff during the Second World War, reporting to Winston Churchill. In 1942 he was sent to America, where he successfully persuaded President Franklin D. Roosevelt to direct the main American war effort against Germany rather than Japan.

Family and early life Inglis was the fourth child of Alfred Markham Inglis (1856–1919), a banker who had previously played cricket for Kent, and Ernestine (Nina) May Pigou (1863–1941). His grandparents were Major General Sir John Eardley Inglis and Lady Julia Inglis, who had survived the Siege of Lucknow, and Francis Pigou, the Dean of Bristol.

In the summer of 1927, he married Vera Helen "Midge" Turner (b. 1906). They had two daughters:

Wendy Inglis (born 16 May 1928 - 2022), who married Wing Commander Peter William Helmore D.F.C., A.F.C. (son of Air Commodore William Helmore) Diana Gillian "Jill" Inglis (born 15 June 1931), who married Jeremy Howard-Williams D.F.C., a former night fighter pilot

His cousin, John Inglis was head of Naval Intelligence from 1954 to 1960.

Royal Air Force career After graduating from Sandhurst, Inglis spent three years with the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry, reaching the rank of lieutenant, until July 1921, when he was seconded to the Royal Air Force as a flying officer. After 18 months at No. 5 Flying Training School, in December 1922 he joined No. 84 Squadron as a pilot, based in Iraq, flying DH.9As.

On 1 July 1927, Inglis was promoted to flight lieutenant; he was immediately placed on half pay until the end of July, having recently got married.

On his return to active service, Inglis joined the staff at No 4 Apprentice's Wing, RAF Cranwell. In April 1931, he transferred to the staff of the RAF College, until returning to Iraq in December 1933 as a member of the air staff, HQ Iraq Command. and to wing commander on 1 March 1939. He was promoted to the rank of group captain in September 1941 and to (acting) air commodore in March 1942.

According to Inglis's brother-in-law, Air Marshal Sir Victor Goddard,No other war decision by America was more significant for Europe and the World than that one. It is to be attributed to the clear trustworthiness of Frank Inglis that his vital, single-handed mission was successful, and it is to be attributed to his modesty that his part in that happening seems never to have come to the notice of historians. thus making him head of Air Intelligence. (with Air Vice Marshal Sir Thomas Elmhirst succeeding him at RAF Intelligence

On 20 January 1947, he was appointed senior air staff officer, HQ Air Command Far East and on 20 October 1949 as senior air staff officer, HQ Flying Training Command. He reached the full rank of air vice-marshal on 1 July 1947.

Honours Air Vice Marshal Inglis was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) on 8 June 1944,

In October 1945, he was conferred with the honour of Commander of the United States Legion of Merit for "exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service". In 1946, he was also conferred with the honour of Grand Cross of the Order of the Phoenix by the King of Greece.

In July 1957, he was appointed Deputy Lieutenant of the county of Kent.