Early Royal Air Force Career
Educated at Marlborough College Sir Richard was one of the very first cadets at the new RAF College Cranwell in 1921, at the age of 19, where he learned to fly. He represented the college at both cricket and rugby having been appointed in the rank of Flight Cadet Sergeant. On graduation he was granted a permanent commission in the rank of Pilot Officer in 1922 and posted as a pilot to No. 2 Squadron RAF. Promoted to Flying Officer in June 1924 he moved to No. 28 Squadron RAF in February 1926.
On 12 December 1928, Jordan was promoted to Flight Lieutenant and the following month he transferred to India as a Headquarters Staff officer at No. 2 (Indian Wing) Station, RAF Risalpur. Returning to the UK two years later he was held as a supernumerary officer at the RAF Central Depot before embarking on an eight-year secondment as a test pilot at the Royal Aircraft Establishment’s military experimental division at Farnborough. During his time there, he was promoted to Squadron Leader in 1936.
In January 1938 he temporarily ceased flying duties and took up an appointment as a Staff Officer in the RAF’s Directorate of Peace Organisation. Returning to operational flying Jordan was promoted to Wing Commander and appointed as Officer Commanding No. 83 Squadron RAF in August 1939. Posted to RAF Manston briefly as Station Commander he then became Officer Commanding No. 214 Squadron RAF where he remained on combat duty until July 1944. On the night of 2 June 1941 Jordan took off from RAF Stradishall in Vickers Wellington No. W5450 for a bombing operation over Berlin. His squadron successfully attacked the target and turned for home. At 06:00, having crossed the English coast, Jordan’s aircraft stalled and crashed 7 miles south west of Bury St Edmunds. Although it crashed into a copse of trees, there was no fire and most of the crew were unhurt, returning to the Stradishall on the back of a farm cart. Jordan was awarded with the DFC on 22 August 1941.
Over a three-year period he held several transient ranks in quick succession, including Temporary Group Captain, Acting Air Commodore, Group Captain (War Substantive) and Temporary Air Commodore while serving as the Director of Overseas Transport Operations.
Just after the Second World War finished Jordan was promoted to the substantive rank of Air Commodore and served as AOC, RAF India & Pakistan from July 1947 until February 1948 when he was appointed as AOC, RAF Gibraltar.
Read more about this topic: Richard Jordan (RAF Officer)
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