Obituary—Air Chief Marshal Sir Charles Medhurst

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.

In August, 1937, he went out to Rome as Air Attaché and remained there until 1940 when Italy entered the war. He then returned to England to become RAY. Secretary of the Supreme War Council. Later that year he became 'Director of Allied Air Cooperation and after a short time as 'Director of Plans he was appointed !Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Intelligence) in 1941. He was made an additional member of the Air Council in October, 19411, while acting as temporary Vice-Chief of the Air Staff, and in the following year he was appointed Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Policy). For the last two years of the war he was Commandant of the R.A.F. Staff College.

In October, 1945, he became Air Commander-in-Chief, Mediterranean and Middle East Command, of which the headquarters were in Cairo. Later he faced the difficult task of carrying through the move of his headquarters and the major part of his forces from the Nile to the canal zone. He was succeeded as Air Commander-inChief by Sir William Dickson in March, 1948, and in May he went to Washington as Head of the Air Force Staff, British Joint Services Mission, being promoted Air Chief Marshal shortly afterwards. In !Washington he moved with a sure step at a time when a quick understanding of the American mind and scene was indispensable.

He married, in 1919, Christabel 'Elizabeth, daughter of the late Canon T. E. B. Guy, of York. Their only son was killed in action with the R.A.F. in 1944; there are two surviving daughters.

MEMORIAL SERVICE

A Memorial Service was held in St. Margaret's, Westminster, on 7th December, 1954. The Address was given by the Bishop of Lincoln ('Maurice Harland, 10.1P. [1912-1914]), a close friend and contemporary at School of Sir Charles IMedhurst. The Bishop has kindly supplied us with a verbatim report of his tribute, and, with his authority, we reprint it here :- Daniel 10. 11 . "A man greatly beloved". "This congregation is a testimony to the memory and influence of Charles Medhurst, in the words of Daniel, 'A man greatly beloved'. For it is as 'a man greatly beloved', we remember him.

The greater part of his life was devoted to service in the Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Air Force in which he rose to the highest rank, after holding with increasing distinction many of its most • important positions. The child is father of the man', said Wordsworth. I first knew Charles when we were boys together at St. Peter's School, York, where, at an early age, he showed the qualities later to be expressed in an illustrious career.

He gained his Rugby colours in the first XV at a younger age I believe, than any boy had yet succeeded in doing. He was good 4

'all round' at work and play and was even then 'a man greatly beloved' for his personality, as much as for his prowess, a personality compacted of calm assurance, natural modesty and great kindness.

He was a romantic in the best sense of the word, who saw people and things through the golden haze of romance and idealism, strongly reminiscent of the age of chivalry. School is not only a place of learning from lessons in class; it is where we learn to live in our most formative years and where we are strongly influenced, for good or ill, by both teachers and our fellows—I think chiefly. the latter.

I count myself to have been supremely fortunate in my two closest friends at School, Charles, and another who was killed in the first World War. To Charles I owe an undying debt of gratitude. In every way he was my superior. I had always admired him but as he honoured me with his friendship I came to love him. I knew I could never attain to his status, but it was an inspiration to be with him and the memory has never left me.

When the first World War broke out we were at school and fired with the strong desire to enter the fray, only afraid lest it might be over before we got a chance ! II was eighteen and got my commission very soon in 1914 from school. Charles went to Sandhurst and was commissioned in the Inniskilling Fusiliers but went straight into the Royal Flying Corps, as it was then called. There he found his metier and full scope for his great gifts and chivalrous temperament. In France he distinguished himself and II vividly remember his writing to me of the need for observers, especially from the Artillery—the regiment in which I was serving in France—and suggesting I applied for a transfer to the R.F.C. and join him as he was taking a squadron to Palestine. It was to me a thrilling idea on which I acted immediately, but only to have my application for transfer torn up by my Divisional Commanding Officer with the peremptory injunction not to be a fool. Charles said I could not have had a better recommendation and succeeded in working my transfer from his end, but too late for me to join him as he had already sailed and I was sent again to. rance where served till the end of the war, first as Observer and then as !Pilot, but it was a keen disappointment to have missed serving with Charles.

From that date our paths have crossed infrequently, but we never lost touch and whenever we met we simply picked up the threads from the last meeting. I always found him the same Charles, quite unspoilt by the great achievements and the honours he had won which are recorded in "The Times" Obituary notice.

He rose rapidly in the Royal Air Force, which showed its wisdom in the choice of positions it called him to occupy. He was Assistant Chief of Air Staff--!Intelligence, Assistant Chief of Air Staff—Policy.

In 1943 he was Commandant of the R.A.F. Staff College and this was followed by his appointment in 1945 as Air Officer Commanding in Chief Middle East Air Force, being promoted Air Marshal in 1946. It was during the exercise of this Command II last saw him in Cairo. :His last appointment before retiring at his own request in 1950, was Head of the Air Force Staff, British Joint Services Mission in (Washington, which he assumed with the rank of Air Chief Marshal.

So he gave the greater part of his life and all his rich talents to the Royal Air Force, which owes so much to the fact that it was able to attract and hold within its ranks men like Charles who left so deep and indelible an impression upon it and who helped to create it into being the great Arm of the Services it has become.

But great as were Charles' attainments, they gain lustre from being the expression of the man he was. Sometimes I heard him make a speech. It was always a good one because he spoke from complete knowledge and with absolute honesty and sincerity. He was simple and direct in what he said and no lie could remain unmasked before that calm, steady gaze which rarely failed to penetrate to the heart and truth of the matter.

Charles was one of those rare souls who are bountifully endowed with great gifts and qualities and with a character to match them. (He was quite unspoiled by success, steadfast in danger, calm and strong in sorrow, he was a man greatly beloved by all who had the good fortune to know him and ability to recognise the greatness of his nature.

My present office has brought me back into pretty close contact with the Royal Air Force—to my joy. II have visited units in the Far and Middle East and am in close touch with the Air Force Stations in my diocese of Lincoln. Always II have found mention of Charles Medhurst to be a ready avenue to close contact with the people I meet. It breaks the ice—so to say—quicker than anything I know. The very mention of his name kindles response of the kind `so you knew (Charles', which I take to imply 'so you must be all right'.

Yes, II used to know (Charles, and I owe to him more than I can express for the inspiration of the example he so unconsciously set, and for his friendship. at is a gift beyond price to know men like him; we know we cannot attain to their stature but they embolden us to aspire and to believe. He was a 'son of the Manse' and his hold on the Christian Faith, in which he was nurtured, was strong and true.

Among his many blessings he had the inexpressible boon of being happily married. Lady Medhurst has been his true partner, sharing his life to the full. The last few years have been particularly hard

6

for her when Charles was grievously ill. In spite of illness and anxieties they carried on together undaunted. Our deepest sympathy is with her and her family. Lady Medhurst was always with her husband, always courageous, loyal and devoted.

This Memorial Service recalls deep memories in us all, and it is good to dwell upon the recollections of a great and good man and to let our hearts grow warm and big with gratitude for all he gave us.

It has too long been the fashion to belittle the great and minimise their qualities. Any fool can do that. We need the weighty corrective to this unworthy exercise of little minds, of knowing men like Charles Medhurst and the power he exercised over us for good. We thank God for him and leave him in that safe-keeping in the abode of the Blessed, praying he may have joy and peace and that the comfort of the' oly Spirit may be with his wife and family, and that to us may be given grace to follow the example that has been given us in our best memories of 'A man greatly beloved'."

AN APPRECIATION BY MR. S. M. TOYNE (Head Master, 1913-1936)

May 1 be allowed to add something to your account of the Service career of the late Air Chief Marshal Sir Charles Hastings Medhurst. As his Head Master and constant friend I had exceptional opportunities for realising his sterling qualities.

It had been his intention to compete for the Hastings Exhibitions at Queen's College, Oxford, for which as a collateral descendant of Lady Elizabeth Hastings—a spinster—he would have enjoyed preferential treatment. 'However, the first World War intervened, and such was the eagerness of "Titch" Medhurst to be up and doing for his country, that he and his friend, now the Bishop of Lincoln, known in the R.A.F.• as "The !Flying Bishop", walked off to the West Yorks. Barracks at Fulford, York, and tried to enlist as despatch riders. A wise Colonel consulted me by telephone and Sir Charles entered on his distinguished career through Sandhurst three months later.

At school he showed signs of the characteristics which developed later and made him not only such a fine officer, but also such a popular person. His own innate modesty could not conceal his ability. He was a first-rate half-back at Rugger, but, as his best year was 1914, he could not get further than his school 1st XV. Typical of his modesty was a Sunday letter in June, 1914, to his father, the Vicar of collingham, near Leeds—"I made a few for the eleven against Leeds". His score was 146 ! Later he played Rugger as a stand-off half for the 1R.A.F. and in a thrilling match against the Army at Twickenham scored the winning try in a most spectacular manner.

After the war Sir Charles took up squash rackets vigorously and seriously. He was never beaten till the last point. We played together for Yorkshire in the final of the Inter-County Championship in 1930-1, when Kent won.