Air Vice-Marshal Air vice-marshal (Air Vce Mshl or AVM) is an air officer rank used by some air forces, with origins from the Royal Air Force. The rank is also used by the air forces of many countries which have historical British influence and it is sometime ...

Frederick Crosby Halahan, (27 May 1880 – 17 October 1965) was a gunnery officer in the

Royal Navy The Royal Navy (RN) is the naval warfare force of the United Kingdom. It is a component of His Majesty's Naval Service, and its officers hold their commissions from the King of the United Kingdom, King. Although warships were used by Kingdom ...

during the early years of the 20th century who became involved in early naval aviation efforts.

Naval and Air Force service

Halahan served in the

, and was promoted

lieutenant A lieutenant ( , ; abbreviated Lt., Lt, LT, Lieut and similar) is a Junior officer, junior commissioned officer rank in the armed forces of many nations, as well as fire services, emergency medical services, Security agency, security services ...

on 15 December 1900. He later served through the

First World War World War I or the First World War (28 July 1914 – 11 November 1918), also known as the Great War, was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War I, Allies (or Entente) and the Central Powers. Fighting to ...

with the navy and in the

Royal Air Force The Royal Air Force (RAF) is the Air force, air and space force of the United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies. It was formed towards the end of the World War I, First World War on 1 April 1918, on the merger of t ...

from its establishment in 1918 through to 1930, including posting as commandant of the

Royal Air Force College Cranwell The Royal Air Force College (RAFC) is the Royal Air Force academy which provides initial training to all RAF personnel who are preparing to become commissioned officers. The College also provides initial training to aircrew cadets and is resp ...

in 1926–29. During the

Second World War World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...

, Halahan rejoined the RAF, serving on the staff of the Directorate of Personal Services.

Screen portrayal

Halahan was portrayed by

Walter Hudd Walter Hudd (20 February 1897 – 20 January 1963) was a British actor and director. Stage career Hudd made his stage debut in ''The Manxman'' in 1919, and later toured as part of the Fred Terry Company; first attracting serious attention pla ...

in the 1956 film ''

Reach for the Sky ''Reach for the Sky'' is a 1956 British biographical film about aviator Douglas Bader, based on the 1954 biography of the same name by Paul Brickhill. The film stars Kenneth More and was directed by Lewis Gilbert. It won the BAFTA Award fo ...

'' as the Cranwell commandant who gives a friendly reprimand to young

Douglas Bader Group Captain Sir Douglas Robert Steuart Bader, (; 21 February 1910 – 5 September 1982) was a Royal Air Force flying ace during the Second World War. He was credited with 22 aerial victories, four shared victories, six probables, one shared ...

for his disregard for service discipline and flight rules.For real life details, described as a "private warning". Despite that Bader successfully completed his training and was posted to No. 23 Squadron at

RAF Kenley Royal Air Force Kenley, more commonly known as RAF Kenley, is a former List of former Royal Air Force stations, station of the Royal Flying Corps in the First World War and the Royal Air Force, RAF in the Second World War. It played a significa ...

before he famously lost his legs.

References

External links

Air of Authority – A History of RAF Organisation – Air Vice-Marshal F C Halahan
1880 births 1965 deaths Commanders of the Order of the British Empire Commanders of the Order of the Crown (Belgium) Companions of the Distinguished Service Order Companions of the Order of St Michael and St George Members of the Royal Victorian Order Officers of the Legion of Honour People educated at Dulwich College Recipients of the Croix de guerre (Belgium) Royal Air Force air marshals Royal Naval Air Service aviators Royal Navy officers Royal Naval Air Service personnel of World War I Commandants of the Royal Air Force College Cranwell People from Camberwell Military personnel from the London Borough of Southwark 19th-century Royal Navy personnel {{RAF-bio-stub