Willie Read

Wing Commander William Ronald Read, (17 May 1885 − 1972 and was the eldest son of W. T. Read of Hampstead. Both his parents died when he was twelve and he and his siblings were raised by guardians. On 6 March 1907, after leaving Cambridge, he transferred to the 1st (King's) Dragoon Guards, a regular regiment. After obtaining his pilot's licence in April 1913, and joined No. 3 Squadron RFC.

First World War Read accompanied his squadron to France in August 1914. In December 1915 he was sent home to organise No. 45 Squadron RFC, returning to France in command in April 1916. and promoted to the substantive rank of captain on 19 August 1917. In April 1917, disillusioned with heavy losses and with his superiors, he requested and received a transfer back to his regiment.

Read was awarded the Air Force Cross (AFC) on 1 January 1919, and the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) on 3 June 1919 for services in France.

Post-war After the war Read remained in the Royal Air Force (RAF) with the rank of flight lieutenant, although technically still on attachment from his regiment. He served in Palestine with No. 216 Squadron from 1919 to 1921, By October 1921, he had been promoted to squadron leader in the RAF, although still holding the rank of captain in the army, and was in command of No. 216 Squadron. He was awarded a second bar to his AFC in the 1922 New Year Honours. He was promoted wing commander on 1 January 1924. Having previously been commander of an apprentices' wing at RAF Halton, and he was appointed first commander of RAF Boscombe Down in September 1930. In March 1931, he was appointed Inspector of Recruiting for the RAF. He retired on 17 May 1932, his 47th birthday.

Personal life In December 1915, Read became engaged to Marjory Masters, daughter of an army chaplain. and tennis player.

Read's wartime diaries and papers are held by the Imperial War Museum.

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