Date of birth:

March 23rd, 1911 (Timaru/Southern Island, New Zealand)

Date of death:

April 4th, 1993 (Christchurch/Southern Island, New Zealand)

Nationality:

New Zealander

Career:
- Royal Air Force
- Permanent Commission 1936
- War Service (1939-45) Bomber Command
- Acting Air Commodore 1944
- Commandant RAF Staff College 1957-59
- Deputy Chief of Air Staff 1959-60
- Commander-in-Chief of Middle East Forces 1960-63
- Chief of Air Staff 1963-67
- Chief of Defence Staff 1967-71
- Marshal of the Royal Air Force 1967

Positions held:
- Constable and Governor of Windsor Castle 1971-78
- Lord Lieutenant of Greater London 1973-78
- Governor of Various English Public Schools 1971-78
- Chairman King Edward VII Hospital for Officers
- Chairman Royal Commission of Exhibition of 1851, 1971-78
- Chairman Royal Overseas League 1971-76w
- Director of a number of United Kingdom Companies 1971-78

Promotions:
Reserve of Air Force Officers: Pilot Officer (Probation): 14 Aug 1933
Pilot Officer: 14 Aug 1934

(AuxAF): Pilot Officer: 15 Jan 1935.

(RAF): Pilot Officer: 3 Mar 1936 [3 Dec 1934]
Flying Officer: 3 Sep 1936 [3 Jun 1936]
Flight Lieutenant: 3 Sep 1938 [3 Jun 1938]
Acting Squadron Leader: 6 Sep 1939
Temporary Squadron Leader: 1 Mar 1940
Acting Wing Commander: 14 Dec 1940
Temporary Wing Commander: 1 Sep 1941
Squadron Leader: 14 Apr 1942 [1 Mar 1940]
Acting Group Captain: 9 May 1942
Wing Commander (War Sub): 9 Nov 1942
Acting Air Commodore: 22 Aug 1944,
Group Captain (War Sub): 22 Feb 1945 - 1 Nov 1947
Wing Commander: 1 Oct 1946
Group Captain: 1 Jul 1949
Acting Air Commodore: 1 Dec 1953
Air Commodore: 1 Jan 1956
Acting Air Vice-Marshal: 1 Jan 1957
Air Vice-Marshal: 1 Jul 1957
Acting Air Marshal: 15 Nov 1959
Air Marshal: 1 Jul 1960
Air Chief Marshal: 1 Sep 1962
Marshal of the RAF: 1 Apr 1967.

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Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Squadron Leader

Awarded on:

January 1st, 1941

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Acting Wing Commander

Unit:

No. 82 (United Provinces) Squadron, Royal Air Force

Awarded on:

March 7th, 1941

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Acting Wing Commander

Unit:

No. 82 (United Provinces) Squadron, Royal Air Force

Awarded on:

April 22nd, 1941

Citation:
"In March, 1941, this officer was detailed to carry out an attack on enemy shipping off Le Havre. Sighting two enemy tankers of approximately 3,000 tons, escorted by flak ships, he proceeded to attack one of the tankers from a low altitude and, in spite of heavy and accurate anti-aircraft fire from the flak ships, scored a direct hit which set the tanker on fire. On another occasion whilst returning from a successful attack against an enemy dump near Flushing aerodrome he was attacked by two Messerschmitt 109’s, but though his rear gunner was wounded, he managed by skilful flying to throw off the enemy fighters and return safely to base. By his magnificent leadership and complete disregard of danger, Wing Commander Elworthy has brought his squadron to the highest pitch of war efficiency.”

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Acting Wing Commander

Awarded on:

September 24th, 1941

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Acting Wing Commander

Awarded on:

January 1st, 1943

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Acting Group Captain

Awarded on:

January 14th, 1944

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Acting Air Commodore

Awarded on:

January 1st, 1946

Rank:

Group Captain

Awarded on:

July 14th, 1953

Rank:

Air Marshal

Awarded on:

December 31st, 1960

Rank:

Air Marshal

Awarded on:

January 1st, 1962

Rank:

Acting Air Marshal

Awarded on:

January 1st, 1960

Rank:

Marshal of The RAF

Awarded on:

April 23rd, 1977

• - Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 35029 published on the 31 December 1940
  - The London Gazette Issue 35097 published on the 7 March 1941
  - The London Gazette Issue 35142 published on the 22 April 1941
  - Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 35284 published on the 23 September 1941
  - Second Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 35841 published on the 29 December 1942
  - Third Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 36329 published on the 11 January 1944
  - Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 37407 published on the 28 December 1945
  - The London Gazette Publication date:14 July 1953 Issue:39912Page:3917
  - The London Gazette Publication date:29 December 1959 Issue:41909Page:3
  - The London Gazette Publication date:27 December 1960 Issue:42231Page:8891
  - The London Gazette Publication date:29 December 1961 Issue:42552Page:3
  - The London Gazette Publication date:26 April 1977 Issue:47207Page:5631
  - Air of Authorities
  - Timaru District Council