Later Life
Slessor completed his term as Chief of the Air Staff on 31 December 1952 and retired from the RAF in the new year. He attended the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in June 1953. He published two books in retirement: his autobiography, The Central Blue (1956), and The Great Deterrent (1957). He also served as Honorary Air Commodore of No. 3 (County of Devon) Maritime Headquarters Unit Royal Auxiliary Air Force from 23 May 1963.
A member of Somerset County Council from 1963 to 1974, Slessor served as High Sheriff of Somerset from 1962 to 1966. He was appointed Deputy Lieutenant of Somerset in 1969. Following the death of his first wife, Hermione Grace Guinness, he married Marcella Florence Priest (née Spurgeon) in 1971. Slessor died at the Princess Alexandra Hospital, Wroughton in Wiltshire on 12 July 1979. His son John also joined the RAF, rising to the rank of group captain.
Read more about this topic: John Slessor
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