Leonard Slatter - Between The Wars

Between The Wars

After the war, Slatter opted to remain in the newly formed Royal Air Force. He saw further active service as a flight commander on No. 47 Squadron RAF flying DH9s and DH9As in southern Russia in the first half of 1919. Slatter received a permanent RAF commission in 1919 and was made a flight lieutenant.

After his return to Great Britain, Slatter took up duties as a flight commander on No. 205 Squadron at RAF Leuchars. In 1921, Slatter was posted to No. 203 Squadron, still based at Leuchars, flying Nightjars. He later became the squadron's commander whilst the squadron was deployed in Turkey. 1922 saw Slatter transferred again, this time to No. 230 Squadron where he served as both a flight commander and as the officer commanding. In early 1924 Slatter was substantively promoted to squadron leader and posted to Malta where he served as the commander of the RAF base for over two years. On his return in 1926, Slatter spent a few months as a supernumerary at the RAF Depot.

In late 1926, Slatter was appointed Officer Commanding the RAF High Speed Flight at the Marine Aircraft Experimental Establishment. Slatter was responsible for preparing his team to compete in the 1927 Schneider Trophy competition in Venice. He went on to be Officer Commanding No. 19 Squadron at RAF Duxford and then Officer Commanding No. 111 Squadron at RAF Hornchurch, where he was also Station Commander, before being appointed Officer Commanding No. 43 Squadron at RAF Tangmere in 1930. He was Officer responsible for flying on the aircraft carrier HMS Courageous from 1932 before returning as Station Commander at RAF Tangmere and then becoming Station Commander at RAF Feltwell and then RAF Bassingbourn.