John Lapsley
Royal Air Force air marshals
About John Lapsley
Lived 1916 – 1995 (aged 79). John Lapsley was a British military flight engineer, engineer and save the Children Fund.
Air Marshal Sir John Hugh Lapsley, (24 September 1916 – 21 November 1995) was a British fighter pilot of the Second World War and, later, a senior Royal Air Force commander.
RAF career Lapsely joined the Royal Air Force as an Aircraft Apprentice in 1935 later being awarded a cadetship at the RAF College Cranwell. In 1937 he was appointed to a permanent commission and a posting to No. 32 Squadron. His last appointment was as Head of the British Defence Staff in Washington, D.C. in 1970 before retiring in 1973.
He is buried in the churchyard of St Mary's at Benhall in Suffolk.
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Important facts
People in John Lapsley's life
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Contemporaries
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Frequently asked questions
Who was John Lapsley?
Royal Air Force air marshals (1916-1995)
When was John Lapsley born?
John Lapsley was born on 24 September 1916 in India.
When did John Lapsley die?
John Lapsley died on 21 November 1995 in Deben Registration District.
What was John Lapsley's occupation?
John Lapsley was a military flight engineer, engineer and save the Children Fund.
What nationality was John Lapsley?
John Lapsley was British.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). John Lapsley. https://biography.guide/john-lapsley/
MLA: "John Lapsley." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/john-lapsley/.
Chicago: "John Lapsley." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/john-lapsley/.
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