Air Commodore Andrew George Board CMG DSO DL (11 May 1878 – 25 February 1973) was an English soldier and airman. He was a pioneer aviator, first gaining a licence in 1910, who later became an air commodore in the Royal Air Force.

Andrew George Board
Born(1878-05-11)11 May 1878
Westerham, Kent, England
Died25 February 1973(1973-02-25) (aged 94)
Morfa Bychan, Caernarvonshire, Wales
Allegiance United Kingdom
Service / branch British Army  Royal Air Force
Years of service1900–1931
RankAir Commodore
Commands5 Squadron RFC
7 Squadron RFC
No. 1 School of Technical Training RAF
No. 21 Group RAF
Battles / warsWorld War I
AwardsCompanion of the Order of St Michael and St George
Distinguished Service Order
Other workDeputy Lieutenant of Caernarvonshire

South Wales Borderers

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Following a time in the militia, Board was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the South Wales Borderers. In 1910, at his own expense, he learned to fly at Hendon.[1] On 29 November 1910, flying a Bleriot monoplane there, he was awarded the Royal Aero Club Aviator's Certificate No. 36.

In the 1911 Census he was listed as a captain of the 2nd Battalion South Wales Borderers at the Artillery Barracks Pretoria, South Africa.[2]

Royal Flying Corps

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By 1914, Board had become a flying instructor at the Central Flying School at Netheravon, Wiltshire. On 28 September 1914 he became the officer commanding 7 Squadron RFC at Netheravon before moving to the western front in April 1915 to command 5 Squadron RFC. He later commanded the 10th Wing RFC before taking over 20th (Reserve) Wing in Egypt.[citation needed]

With the formation of the Royal Air Force in 1918, Broad was awarded a permanent commission as a lieutenant colonel. He rose to the rank of air commodore before retiring in 1931.[1] In 1939 he re-joined the RAF as a group captain before retiring again in 1941.[1] In 1943 he became a Deputy Lieutenant in Caernarvon.[1][3]

Honours and award

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Family

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Board was born in Westerham, Kent, on 11 May 1878, the third son of Major John Board and his wife Mary; his father was a magistrate.[6] He married Mrs Phyllis Agnew at St James's Piccadilly on 18 August 1932.[7]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d "A History of RAF Organisation - Air Commodore A G Board". /www.rafweb.org. Retrieved 19 May 2010.
  2. ^ 1911 Census of Overseas Military, RG14/34977, RG14PN34977 RD641 SD2 ED14 SN9999, Andrew George Board, Artillery Barracks Pretoria.
  3. ^ "News in Brief". News in Brief. The Times. No. 49595. London. 12 July 1943. col G, p. 6.
  4. ^ "No. 30450". The London Gazette (Supplement). 1 January 1918. p. 18.
  5. ^ "No. 31098". The London Gazette (Supplement). 1 January 1919. p. 92.
  6. ^ 1891 Census of Sevenoaks, RG12/674, Folio 123, Page 14, Andrew G. Board, aged 12, High Street, Westerham.
  7. ^ "Marriages". Marriages. The Times. No. 46216. London. 19 August 1932. col B, p. 13.