OBITUARY AIR CHIEF MARSHAL SIR CHARLES MEDHURST The death on 15th October, 1954, of Air Chief IlVfarshal Sir Charles Medhurst, K.C.B., O.B.E., M.C. (St. Peter's, 1908-1914), will be known to all our readers. His loss at the comparatively early age of 57 has deprived the School of one of its most distinguished sons. We reproduce below (by permission) the obituary notice printed in The Times of 19th October. 'AIR 10HIEF MARSHAL SIR C. MEDHURST DISTINGUISHED CAREER AT HOME AND ABROAD Air Chief Marshal Sir Charles IMedhurst, K.C.B., 0.B.E., Head of the Air 'Force Staff, 'British Joint Service Mission in Washington from 1948 to 1950, died yesterday in hospital at Lymington, Hampshire. He was 57.
dt was in the field of Intelligence and in the Royal Air Force's relations with the air forces of other countries that Sir Charles made his greatest contribution to his service. His ease of manner and quiet charm made him an excellent "mixer" and brought him a wide circle of friends in London, Washington, Cairo, and many of the European capitals. Charles Edward Hastings iMedhurst was born at Smethwick on 12th December, 1896, the second son of the late Rev. C. E. Medhurst, of Collingham. He was educated at St. Peter's, York, and Sandhurst. and was commissioned in The 'Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers in June, 1915. Two months later he was seconded to the Royal Flying Corps for flying duties. Before the end of the year he had joined No. 13 Squadron in France and in 1917 he went out to the Middle East 'Brigade. seeing service in Salonika in 1918, and being awarded the M.C. He served with No. 111 Squadron in Palestine in 1919 and returned to 'England the following year. He was selected for technical engineering training and took the technical course at IChiseldon before going to the Air Ministry for air staff duties in October, 1923. In 1925 he took the R.A.F. Staff -College course and the following year the senior officers' course, after which he went out to Iraq for two years' air staff and operational duties. In 1929 he was selected for the Imperial Defence College course and during 1930 he commanded No. 4 Squadron. Then followed three years as instructor at the Staff College. By this time it was clear that it was in the direction of air staff duties rather than in the technical field that his bent lay and in 1934 he returned to the Air Ministry, with the rank of Wing Commander, in the Directorate of 'Operations and Intelligence. He became a Deputy Director in 1935. 3
