Date of birth:

March 13th, 1918

Date of death:

March 25th, 2008

Service number:

45073

Nationality:

British

Christopher Davis North-Lewis started his military career with the Infantry, Queen Victoria's Rifles, King's Royal Rifle Corps (K.R.R.C., Territorial Army) and reached the rank of Lieutenant (War subs.). During the Second World War he served however with the Royal Air Force and was administravely also transferred to the RAF on September 1st, 1945. After the Second World War he also received the General Service Medal with "NEAR EAST" clasp.

Promotions:
June 21st, 1939: 2nd Lieutenant;
?: Lieutenant (war subs.);
December 4th, 1940: temporary Pilot Officer;
December 4th, 1941: Flying Officer (war subs.)
December 4th, 1942: Flight Lieutenant (war subs.);
March 15th, 1944: Acting Squadorn Leader;
August 15th, 1944: Acting Wing Commander;
November 15th, 1944: Squadron Leader (war subs.);
November 12th, 1946: Squadron Leader (seniority September 1st, 1945);
July 1st, 1952: Wing Commander;
January 1st, 1959: Group Captain;
January 1st, 1964: Air Commodore.

Career:
?: Officer Training Corps, Marlborough School;
1939: Officer, 2nd Battalion the Queen Victoria's Rifles, KRRC (TA);
1940: No. 8 Elementary Flying Training School, Woodley;
?: No. 9 Advanced Flying Training School, Hullavington;
?: School of Army Co-Operation, Old Sarum;
?: No. 13 Squadron, Odiham;
?: No. 1471 Flight, Old Sarum;
September 1942: Flight Commander No. 26 Squadron;
?: Flight Commander No. 231 Squadron;
January 1944: No. 175 Squadron, Westhampnett;
?: Flight Commander No. 182 Squadron, Merston;
May 15th, 1944: Commanding Officer No. 182 Squadron;
August 15th, 1944: Wing Commander (Flying Wing Leader) No. 124 Wing;
March 23rd, 1945: POW;
March 24th, 1945: Wing Commander (Flying Wing Leader) No. 124 Wing;
1947: Commanding Officer RAF Odiham;
May 27th, 1951: Staff War Plans Division Headquarters Allied Air Forces Central Europe;
January 21st, 1951: SOA Headquarters Rhodesian Air Training Group;
?: Staff Officer NATO Headquarters, Fontainebleau;
1956: Planning Staff, Operation Muskateer;
August 1957: Valiant Conversion Course;
October 17th, 1957: Commanding Officer No. 7 Squadron;
November 17th, 1958: Commanding Officer RAF Wyton;
May 29th, 1961: Deputy Director of Operations, Bomber and Reconnaissance;
1965: AOC, RAF Akrotiri;
February 1st, 1971: Retirement.

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Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Temporary Pilot Officer

Unit:

No. 9 Advanced Flying Training School, Royal Air Force

Awarded on:

May 17th, 1941

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Flight Lieutenant

Unit:

No. 26 Squadron, Royal Air Force

Awarded on:

March 2nd, 1943

Received for gallantry and devotion to duty in the execution of air operations.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Acting Squadron Leader

Unit:

No. 181 Squadron, Royal Air Force

Awarded on:

September 26th, 1944

Citation:
"As squadron commander, this officer has at all times led his squadron with great coolness, courage and tenacity. During August, 1944, when on an armed reconnaissance over an area in Northern
France, he sighted an enemy tank force and immediately led his squadron in to the attack. His aircraft was repeatedly hit by anti aircraft fire.
Undeterred, Squadron Leader North-Lewis pressed home his attack with skill and determination. His splendid example and leadership are an inspiration to all in his squadron."

Second DFC received in the form of a bar to be worn on the ribbon of the first DFC.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Acting Wing Commander

Awarded on:

May 1st, 1945

Citation:
"Since being awarded a Bar to the Distinguished Flying Cross, this officer has participated in a large number of sorties, involving attacks on a wide range of targets in-various battle zones. Much success has been achieved. By his skilful leadership great tactical ability and iron determination, Wing Commander North-Lewis has played a good part in the results obtained. On one occasion in December, 1944, this officer flew with great distinction in a successful attack on an enemy tank force which was greatly threatening our ground forces in an area in the Ardennes. Wing Commander North-Lewis has accomplished much brilliant work"

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Acting Wing Commander

Unit:

Royal Air Force

Awarded on:

July 31st, 1945

Awarded for:

Operation Market Garden

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Wing Commander

Unit:

Commanding Officer, No. 124 Wing, Royal Air Force

Awarded on:

April 19th, 1947

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Squadron Leader

Awarded on:

May 23rd, 1947

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded with "FRANCE AND GERMANY" clasp.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

• Photo 1: RAF Photo
• - MEIJER, H.G., Bronzen Leeuw, Bronzen Kruis, De Bataafsche Leeuw, Amsterdam, 1990.
  - MEIJER, H.G. & VIS, R., Het Vliegerkruis, De Bataafsche Leeuw, Amsterdam, 1997.
  - The London Gazette Issue 34644, dated 11th July 1939
  - The London Gazette Issue 35037, dated 7th January 1941
  - The London Gazette Issue 35435, dated 27th January 1942
  - Second Supplement to The London Gazette of 26th February 1943, Issue 35923, dated 2nd March 1943
  - Third Supplement to The London Gazette of 2nd February 1943, Issue 35891, dated 5th February 1943
  - Fourth Supplement to The London Gazette of 22nd September 1944, Issue 36728, dated 26th September 1944
  - Fourth Supplement to The London Gazette of 27th April 1945, Issue 37059, dated 1st May 1945
  - Ninth Supplement to The London Gazette of 28th December 1945, Issue 37415, dated 1st January 1946
  - Second Supplement to The London Gazette of 8th November 1946, Issue 37784, dated 12th November 1946
  - Second Supplement ot The London Gazette of 27th December 1946, Issue 37832, dated 31st December 1946
  - Second Supplement to The London Gazette of 25th February 1947, Issue 37892, dated 28th February 1947
  - Supplement to The London Gazette of 20th May 1947, Issue 37961, dated 23rd May 1947
  - The London Gazette Issue 38013, dated 11th July 1947
  - Flypast, May 2008, page 18-22
  - Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation