RAF Home Command

Home Command
Command Crest
Active	1 February 1939–27 May 1940 1 May 1946–1 April 1959
Country	United Kingdom
Branch	Royal Air Force
Garrison/HQ	Wantage Hall, University of Reading
Motto(s)	Support

RAF Home Command was the Royal Air Force command that was responsible for the maintenance and training of reserve organisations^[1] from formation on 1 February 1939 as RAF Reserve Command with interruptions until it ceased to exist on 1 April 1959.

History

The Command was formed as RAF Reserve Command on 1 February 1939.^[2] It was absorbed into RAF Flying Training Command on 27 May 1940 but reformed again on 1 May 1946.^[2] It was then renamed RAF Home Command on 1 August 1950 and absorbed into RAF Flying Training Command again on 1 April 1959.^[2]

Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief

Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief included:^[2]
RAF Reserve Command

• 1 February 1939 Air Marshal Sir Christopher Courtney
• 28 August 1939 Air Chief Marshal Sir John Steel
• 22 April 1940 Air Vice Marshal Sir William Welsh

Note: The Command was not in existence from May 1940 to May 1946

• 1 May 1946 Air Commodore E D H Davies (Temporary)
• 20 May 1946 Air Marshal Sir Alan Lees
• 1 October 1949 Air Marshal Sir Robert Foster

RAF Home Command

• 1 August 1950 Air Marshal Sir Robert Foster
• 31 Mar 1952 Air Marshal Sir Ronald Ivelaw-Chapman
• 1 October 1952 Air Marshal Sir Harold Lydford
• March 1956 Air Marshal Sir Douglas Macfadyen

References

1. John D. Rawlings, 'The History of the Royal Air Force,' Temple Press Aerospace, Feltham, Middlesex, 1984, p.180
2. Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation - RAF Home Commands formed between 1939 - 1957