Arthur Longmore (30 March 1885 – 3 February 1969) was a British naval officer and aviator who became a senior commander in the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) and, later, the Royal Air Force (RAF). He is noted for his contributions to the development of naval aviation and for holding several high‑level administrative posts during and after the First World War.
Early life and education
Arthur Longmore was born in London, England. He entered the Royal Navy as a cadet in 1900 and received his early training aboard various naval vessels. Details of his family background and education prior to naval service are limited in publicly available sources.
Naval and aviation career
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Early aviation involvement
Longmore obtained his pilot’s licence in 1912, becoming one of the first Royal Navy officers to qualify as a pilot. He subsequently served with the nascent Royal Naval Air Service, where he gained experience in seaplane operations and aircraft testing. -
First World War
During the First World War, Longmore held several command and staff positions within the RNAS. He was appointed Officer Commanding the RNAS training establishment at Cranwell in 1915 and later served as Director of Aircraft Production (1916–1917), overseeing the procurement and manufacturing of aircraft for naval operations. In 1918, following the amalgamation of the RNAS and the Royal Flying Corps into the RAF, he transferred to the new service. -
Inter‑war RAF service
In the RAF, Longmore continued to serve in senior administrative roles. He was appointed Air Officer Commanding (AOC) No. 21 Group (1920–1922), responsible for training and personnel matters. He later held the post of Air Member for Supply and Organisation (1928–1930), overseeing logistics, equipment procurement, and the development of RAF infrastructure. He was promoted to the rank of Air Marshal in 1933. -
Second World War
At the outbreak of the Second World War, Longmore was retired from active service but was recalled to contribute to civil defence and air‑raid precaution planning. He served on various governmental committees dealing with aviation safety and civil protection.
Later life and legacy
After his final retirement, Longmore lived in England and remained involved in aviation circles, contributing articles to professional journals and delivering occasional lectures on early naval aviation. He was knighted as a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath (KCB) and received the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) for his wartime service. He died on 3 February 1969 at the age of 83.
Honours and awards
- Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath (KCB) – 1933
- Distinguished Service Order (DSO) – 1917
- Air Force Cross (AFC) – 1919
- Various campaign medals, including the 1914–1915 Star, the British War Medal, and the Victory Medal
References
- Royal Air Force historical records.
- Official Gazette entries for honours and promotions.
- Biographical entries in standard military reference works (e.g., Who’s Who in British Aviation).
Note: The above summary is based on established historical records and recognized reference sources.