Hugh White

Air Vice-Marshal Hugh Granville White, (1 March 1898 – 23 September 1983) was a Royal Air Force air officer. He was a First World War flying ace credited with seven aerial victories, and later went on to serve throughout the Second World War, finally retiring in 1955.

Early life and background White was born in Maidstone, Kent, and originally chose a naval career, attending the naval training school from 1911, before studying at Eastbourne College from 1914. He was immediately seconded to the Royal Flying Corps to train as a pilot with No. 5 Reserve Squadron based at RFC Castle Bromwich, flying Maurice Farman Longhorn and Shorthorn aircraft, and later trained with No. 34 and No. 33 Squadrons at RFC Bramham Moor. After further training in No. 9 Reserve Squadron at Norwich, he was eventually posted to No. 20 Squadron RFC on 5 July 1916, but had recovered to gain his first aerial victory on 5 April when he and Observer Private T. Allum, flying a F.E.2d two-seater, wounded Josef Flink of Jasta 18 in the hand, and forced him to land his Albatros D.III fighter at Neuve-Église, where he was captured. and with observer Second Lieutenant Thomas Lewis, gained two more victories on 23 and 26 May, both times driving an Albatros D.III down out of control. and from November served in No. 38 Training Squadron at Rendcomb. and on 17 July was appointed Officer-in-charge Flying Training at No. 30 Training Depot at RAF Northolt. resigning his Army commission in the East Kents the same day.

In October 1919, White was attached to Midland Area Depot while attending a Special Engineering Course at Jesus College, Cambridge, then on 1 October 1920 was posted to the No. 1 School of Technical Training at RAF Halton for administrative duties. On 1 October 1921 he was posted to the School of Army Co-operation at Old Sarum for a course of instruction.

On 15 March 1922, White was posted to No. 4 Squadron RAF, based at RAF Farnborough to fly the Bristol F.2 Fighter, before returning to the School of Army Co-operation at Old Sarum on 17 May to serve as an instructor.

White was posted to India on 1 January 1924 to serve as a flight commander in No. 28 (Army Co-operation) Squadron, where he flew the Bristol Fighter from bases at Peshawar, Quetta and Ambala. On 28 March 1927 he was detached from his squadron to serve as Adjutant at Hill Depot, Lower Topa, before returning to the UK in July. attending the Officers Engineering Course there from 8 August. and on 1 July was appointed Officer-in-charge, Workshops, and Unit Test Pilot at RAF College Cranwell. From 26 June 1933 until 28 January 1935 he served as Equipment (Engineer) Staff Officer at the Headquarters of the Air Defence of Great Britain, RAF Uxbridge, before returning to flying duties as Officer Commanding, No. 501 (City of Bristol) Squadron flying Westland Wallace bombers. and from June served as Senior Equipment Staff Officer and Command Engineering Officer at the Headquarters of RAF Far East at Singapore. He returned to England in July 1939 to serve as Officer Commanding, General Engineering Squadron, No. 13 Maintenance Unit,

Second World War On 16 October 1939, soon after the outbreak of the Second World War, White was appointed an acting group captain to serve as Senior Air Staff Officer of No. 24 (Technical Training) Group at RAF Quedgeley. and on 24 April was transferred to the RAF Technical Branch. His promotion to group captain became permanent on 14 April 1942, and on 3 October he was appointed Air Officer Commanding, No. 1 School of Technical Training at RAF Halton, with the acting rank of air commodore, On 8 June 1944, in the King's Birthday Honours, White was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire.

Post-war career On 11 March 1946, White was appointed Senior Technical Staff Officer, AHQ British Air Forces of Occupation at Bad Eilsen, Germany, He served as Air Officer Commanding, No. 43 (Technical) Group at RAF Hucknall from 1 November 1948, receiving promotion to the rank of air vice marshal on 1 July 1949. On 6 November 1950 he was appointed Air Officer Commanding, No. 41 (Technical) Group at RAF Andover. On 5 February 1953 he became Air Officer Administration at the Headquarters of Maintenance Command.

Air Vice Marshal White died on 23 September 1983, at the age of 85.