Keith Williamson

Keith Alec Williamson
Born 28 February 1928 (1928-02-28) (age 81)
Marshal of the Royal Air Force Sir Keith Williamson Crown Copyright
Place of birth	Leytonstone, London
Allegiance	United Kingdom
Service/branch	Royal Air Force
Years of service	1944–1985
Rank	Marshal of the Royal Air Force
Awards	Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath Air Force Cross

Marshal of the Royal Air Force Sir Keith Alec Williamson, GCB, AFC (born 25 February 1928), is a retired^[1] senior officer in the Royal Air Force. He was Chief of the Air Staff from 1982 to 1985.

RAF career

Williamson was born in Leytonstone and educated at Market Harborough Grammar School. Unlike most of the RAF's senior leaders, Williamson initially joined the Service as an airman. Following training as an Aircraft Apprentice he was selected for a cadetship at RAF College Cranwell. Notably, Sir Keith Williamson commanded 23 Squadron and RAF Gütersloh.^[1]

In 1975 Williamson was appointed Commandant of the RAF Staff College, Bracknell and Air Officer Commanding Command and Staff Training.^[2] He became Commander-in-Chief Support Command in 1978 and Commander-in-Chief RAF Strike Command in 1980. He served as Chief of the Air Staff from 15 October 1982 to 15 October 1985.

Later life

In retirement Williamson devoted much of his time to the Presidency of the Royal Air Forces Association.

References

• Probert, H. (1991). High Commanders of the Royal Air Force. HMSO. ISBN 0-11-772635-4

Footnote

1. ^  Strictly speaking, Marshals of the Royal Air Force remain on the active list even when they have, for all practical purposes, retired.

v • d • e Chiefs of the Air Staff of the Royal Air Force Sir Hugh Trenchard • Sir Frederick Sykes • Sir Hugh Trenchard • Sir John Salmond • Sir Geoffrey Salmond • Sir John Salmond • Sir Edward Ellington • Sir Cyril Newall • Lord Portal • Lord Tedder • Sir John Slessor • Sir William Dickson • Sir Dermot Boyle • Sir Thomas Pike • Sir Charles Elworthy • Sir John Grandy • Sir Denis Spotswood • Sir Andrew Humphrey • Sir Neil Cameron • Sir Michael Beetham • Sir Keith Williamson • Sir David Craig • Sir Peter Harding • Sir Michael Graydon • Sir Richard Johns • Sir Peter Squire • Sir Jock Stirrup • Sir Glenn Torpy • Sir Stephen Dalton