John Denis Breakey

Air Vice Marshal John Denis Breakey began his military career in the Royal Naval Air Service during World War I. As the RNAS was merged into the Royal Air Force, he scored nine aerial victories as a fighter pilot.

After returning to service for World War II, he rose to become an Air Commodore during the war, and an Air Vice Marshal afterwards.

Personal life
Breakey was born on 18 May 1899, in Sheffield, England. He retired from the Royal Air Force on 10 May 1954. He died on 8 January 1965.

Promotions and appointments
3 June 1917: Appointed probationary Flight Officer in Royal Naval Air Service on the same day as Frederick Britnell

10 October 1917: Appointed temporary probationary Flight Sub-Lieutenant

26 October 1917: Appointed Flight Sub-Lieutenant with seniority from 10 October 1917

1 April 1918: Commissioned as lieutenant in the Royal Air Force on its day of existence

19 August 1918: Promoted to temporary captain

Duty assignments
ca June 1917: Assigned to No. 3 Naval Squadron as a Sopwith Camel fighter pilot

1 April 1918: Continued service in unit when it was absorbed into the Royal Air Force as 203 Squadron

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

Promotions and appointments
1 August 1919: Appointed lieutenant in the Royal Air Force on a permanent commission with seniority of 1 April 1918

1 July 1924: Promoted to Flight Lieutenant

1 February 1935: Promoted to Squadron Leader

1 July 1938: Promoted to Wing Commander

Duty assignments
13 June 1919: Pilot in 47 Squadron

1 February 1921: Test pilot, Aeroplane Experimental Establishment

24 July 1923: Flight Commander, 22 Squadron

15 September 1924: Student in Aircraft Engineering Course at the Home Aircraft Depot

2 December 1926: Posted to staff duty at Home Aircraft Depot

1 February 1929: Flight duty with 204 Squadron at RAF Southampton

2 January 1930: Flight duty with 205 Squadron, RAF Southampton

16 May 1931: Staff duty, Headquarters RAF Singapore

3 April 1933: Supernumerary, RAF Depot

3 April 1934: Staff duty

25 March 1935: Officer Commanding, 201 Squadron

4 October 1937: Air Staff, Deputy Director of Operational Requirements; subsequently raised to Director

Promotions and appointments
1 December 1940: Promoted to temporary Group Captain

ca 26 May 1941: Promoted to acting Air Commodore

26 November 1941: Designated War Substantive Group Captain

20 April 1943: Promoted to acting Air Vice Marshal

1 June 1943: Became temporary Air Commodore

1 December 1943: Confirmed as Group Captain

20 April 1944: Designated War Substantive Air Commodore

1 January 1946: Promoted to Air Commodore, appointed as temporary Air Vice Marshal

1 July 1947: Promoted to Air Vice Marshal

Duty assignments
April 1943: Assistant Chief of the Air Staff for Technical Requirements

September 1945: Air Officer Commanding, 222 Group

1 October 1945: Air Officer Commanding, Air Headquarters, Malaya

13 January 1948: Air Officer in charge of Administration, Headquarters RAF Bomber Command

1951: Air Officer Commanding, 21 (Training) Group

1 August 1951: Head of Royal Air Force Staff for British Joint Services Mission to Washington, DC

Honours and awards
18 February 1919: Breakey was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for valour; the citation read:

"This officer has flown about 500 hours on active service. He has carried out 170 special missions, and has bombed and attacked enemy troops, transport, &c., from low altitudes with great success, causing serious damage. Captain Breakey has shown marked ability and skill as a flight leader, and by his fine spirit of determination and disregard of personal danger sets a fine example to other pilots."

12 July 1919: Breakey was awarded a Bar in lieu of a second award for valour of the Distinguished Flying Cross.

1 January 1944: John Denis Breakey was honoured for his services with induction into the Order of the Bath.