Date of birth:

January 15th, 1905 (Bath/Somerset, Great Britain)

Date of death:

September 9th, 1997

Service number:

75777

Nationality:

British

Before the Second World War, Rowland George had been a successful oarsman and won a gold medal at the 1932 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. At the start of the War, George was 34 years old and was commissioned in the Equipment branch of the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve as an Explosives specialist.
After the war George resumed working for a paper, printing and packaging company.
He retained an RAFVR commission and on 13 April 1948 transferred to the Royal Auxiliary Air Force
He was invited to the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona as a guest of the British Olympic Association; 60 years after winning in Los Angeles.
George died at the age of 92 and was buried in the cemetery at Berkeley, Gloucestershire

Promotions:
October 9th, 1939: Acting Pilot Officer (probation)
January 6th, 1940: Pilot Officer (probation)
December 1st, 1940: Flying Officer (probation: war sub)
November 9th, 1940: Flying Officer (war sub)
March 1st, 1942: Flight Lieutenant (temporary)
September 1st, 1943: Flight Lieutenant (war sub)
June 18th, 1944: Squadron Leader (war sub)
April 13th, 1948: Commission relinquished on appointement to th Royal Auxiliary Air Force
Octtober 5th, 1948: Commanding Officer of No. 3619 (County of Suffolk) Air Defence Unit
April 13th, 1948: Appointment to commission as Squadron Leader
June 1st, 1951: relinquishes command of No. 3619
April 13th, 1958; Commission relinquished
(County of Suffolk) Fighter Control Unit and transfer to reserve

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Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Acting Squadron Leader

Awarded on:

June 2nd, 1943

Awarded for:

Operation Torch

Citation:
"In recognition for his efforts when in command of the RAF unit responsible for supplies passing through the harbour at Bone, Algeria, as part of the Operation Torch landings when there was considerable harassment from the Luftwaffe."

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Acting Wing Commander

Awarded on:

January 14th, 1944

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Acting Wing Commander

Unit:

Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve

Awarded on:

May 26th, 1944

Citation:
"Wing Commander George, the senior movements staff officer, was responsible for the smooth and efficient working of the supply system from the beaches to the airfields during the assault landings at Salerno. He landed with the first assault troops on the beaches in the early morning of 10th September 1943. Thereafter he was under fire, both on the beaches and whilst travelling between the various supply dumps and airfields, until the enemy had been forced to retreat sufficiently to allow the airfields to be occupied by units of the Tactical Air Force. Wing Commander George was wounded when his tented camp was hit by 2 bombs. He did not, however, allow this to interfere with his personal supervision of the work of unloading and distributing the urgently required supplies. Throughout the operation Wing Commander George displayed great gallantry and his example and coolness whilst under fire were an inspiration to those under his command and contributed largely to the success of the operation."

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Wing Commander

Awarded on:

June 8th, 1944

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Acting Wing Commander

Awarded on:

September 26th, 1944

• - The London Gazette Issue 34742 published on the 28 November 1939
  - The London Gazette Issue 34794 published on the 20 February 1940
  - The London Gazette Issue 35076 published on the 14 February 1941
  - The London Gazette Issue 35139 published on the 18 April 1941
  - The London Gazette Issue 35503 published on the 27 March 1942
  - Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 36033 published on the 28 May 1943
  - Third Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 36245 published on the 9 November 1943
  - Thord Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 36329 published on the 11 January 1944
  - Fourth Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 36718 published on the 22 September 1944
  - Third Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 36329 published on the 11 January 1944
  - Fourth Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 36531 published on the 23 May 1944
  - Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 36544 published on the 2 June 1944
  - Third Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 36701 published on the 12 September 1944
  - Fourth Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 36718 published on the 22 September 1944
  - Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 38420 published on the 1 October 1948
  - Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 38420 published on the 1 October 1948
  - Second Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 38981 published on the 1 August 1950
  - Second Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 39330 published on the 7 September 1951
  - Second Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 41368 published on the 18 April 1958
  - RAF Beach Units