Victor Groom

Air Marshal Sir Victor Emmanuel Groom, (4 August 1898 – 6 December 1990) was a senior officer in the British Royal Air Force and a flying ace of the First World War credited with eight aerial victories. He rose to become a consequential participant in air operations to support Operation Overlord, the invasion of France during the Second World War.

Early life

Victor Emmanuel Groom was born 4 August 1898 in Peckham, London, England. Groom was educated at Alleyn's School, Dulwich. He enlisted into the Artists Rifles, London Regiment, as a private in 1916 before being attached to the Royal Flying Corps in September.

World War I Details of his training are unrecorded. However, Groom was appointed a flying officer on 30 January 1918 On 18 March, he was assigned to No. 20 Squadron as a Bristol F.2 Fighter pilot. On 15 December, he switched to No. 14 Squadron in Palestine and on 22 May 1920, he continued Middle Eastern service with a new posting, to No. 55 Squadron. He was given command of No. 28 Squadron on 26 October 1932. He moved on to command of No. 58 Squadron, then on to staff work at Headquarters Bomber Command, even as he continued to ascend in rank. On 1 January 1938, having earned an OBE at Bomber Command,

In 1924 He married Maisie Monica Maule (1909-1996); they had at least one son.

World War II

On 1 September 1940, he was promoted to temporary group captain and became Station Commander at RAF Marham. On 1 June 1943, he was bumped up to temporary air commodore and on 8 September 1943 he was promoted to acting air vice marshal on appointment as Senior Air Staff Officer at Headquarters Second Tactical Air Force. In August 1945 he became Air Officer Administration at Headquarters Flying Training Command. and appointed Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire. He took command of the Middle East Air Force in February 1952 and Technical Training Command in July 1952.

Honours and awards Distinguished Flying Cross – 2 November 1918

Bar to the Distinguished Flying Cross – 19 August 1921

Officer of the Order of the British Empire – 11 July 1940 Mentioned in dispatches – 1 January 1946