Herbert Rowley

Air Commodore Herbert Victor Rowley (24 October 1897 – 9 April 1966) began his military career during World War I. He became a flying ace while in the Royal Naval Air Service and became a member of the Royal Air Force when the RNAS was consolidated into it. Rowley remained in the RAF postwar, rising to the position of Air Commodore during World War II before retiring.

Personal life
Herbert Victor Rowley was born in Crich, Derbyshire, England on 24 October 1897. He died on 9 April 1966.

Promotions and appointments
30 April 1916: commissioned as temporary Flight Sub-Lieutenant in the Royal Naval Air Service

24 August 1916: qualified for Royal Aero Club Certificate no. 3569

Late 1917: appointed Flight Commander

1 October 1917: promoted to temporary Flight Lieutenant

1 April 1918: appointed Captain upon formation of Royal Air Force

Duty assignments
February 1917: pilot, No. 1 Naval Squadron RNAS

List of aerial victories
See also Aerial victory standards of World War I

Promotions and appointments
1 August 1919: permanently commissioned as a Lieutenant; appointed Flying Officer

30 June 1922: promoted to Flight Lieutenant

5 November 1930: promoted to Squadron Leader

1 January 1937: promoted to Wing Commander

Duty assignments
1920: Air Staff Duty, Headquarters No. 3 Group RAF

15 August 1921: Pilot, No. 25 Squadron RAF

3 November 1922: Officer, No. 5 Armoured Car Company RAF

19 January 1924: Flight Commander, No. 84 Squadron RAF

17 January 1925: Flight Commander, No. 47 Squadron RAF

October–November 1925: participant in Arthur Coningham's pioneering flight from Helwan, Egypt to Kaduna, Nigeria

1 June 1926: Staff duty

1 May 1927: Supernumerary due to illness, RAF Depot

18 July 1927: Engineering Officer, RAF College

15 December 1930: Officer Commanding, No. 56 Squadron RAF

18 January 1932: Began attendance at RAF Staff College, Andover

17 January 1933: Air Staff duty, Headquarters Iraq Command

Promotions and appointments
28 December 1939: appointed acting Group Captain

1 March 1940: appointed temporary Group Captain

14 April 1942: appointed Group Captain (with seniority from 1 March 1940)

1 November 1942: appointed temporary Air Commodore

Duty assignments
1 February 1941: Group Captain, Headquarters No. 12 Group RAF

3 December 1941: Senior Air Staff Officer, Headquarters, No. 10 Group RAF

1 May 1943: Air Officer Commanding, No. 221 Group RAF

26 October 1944: Retired as Air Commodore