Wing Commander Ronald Francis Redpath (7 July 1888 – 11 January 1970) was a Canadian fighter pilot who served in the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS), later commanding the Canadian Air Force.
Ronald Francis Redpath | |
|---|---|
| Born | 7 July 1888 Montreal, Quebec, Canada |
| Died | 11 January 1970 (aged 81) Granby, Quebec, Canada |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service | Royal Naval Air Service Canadian Air Force |
| Years of service | 1915 – 1919 (RNAS) |
| Rank | Wing Commander |
| Battles / wars | First World War |
Early life
editRonald Francis Redpath was born in Montreal, Quebec, Canada on 7 July 1888, to a merchant home.[1]
First World War
editAfter receiving his flying education at the Toronto flying school, Redpath joined the Royal Naval Air Service as Probationary Flight Sub‑Lieutenant, 22 November 1915 in Ottawa.[1] He was among the original Canadians (along with Raymond Collishaw) to be trained. He was posted on 1 May 1916 to No.3 (Naval) Wing, Manstone. From there he was eventually posted to France. He is credited with ensuring that an early bombing raid did not mistakenly land in Switzerland.[2] Redpath was awarded the French Croix de Guerre[1][3] along with (amongst others) Raymond Collishaw.
Post-war
editAfter the war, Redpath served as the second director of the Canadian Air Force. He succeeded Air Commodore Arthur Kellam Tylee, taking up post on 22 March 1921. However, his time of head of the Canadian Air Force was short-lived and he relinquished his post on 12 July that same year.[4]
Redpath died on 11 January 1970[1] at the age of 81.
References
editNotes
edit- ^ a b c d Redpath, Ronald Francis airforce.ca Retrieved: 19 March 2013.
- ^ Gunn 2013, pp. 57-58.
- ^ "Ronald Francis Redpath". 25 November 2012.
Bibliography
edit- Gunn, Roger. Raymond Collishaw and the Black Flight. Dundurn, 2013. ISBN 978-1-4597-0660-6.