Godfrey Paine - RAF and Later Career

RAF and Later Career

With the establishment of the RAF in 1918, the posts of Fifth Sea Lord and Director of Naval Aviation were abolished and the Navy's aircraft and aviators were transferred to the RAF. Paine was promoted to major-general (a rank of the RAF at that time) and appointed to the Air Council as Master-General of Personnel. With the introduction of RAF-specific ranks in 1919, Paine was regraded to air vice-marshal. His last military appointment was as Inspector-General of the RAF. On his retirement from the RAF in 12 May 1920, Paine reverted to the equivalent naval rank (rear admiral). Excluding those with honorary ranks such as royalty, Paine is possibly the only person to have held flag, general and air officer ranks.