Air Vice Marshal Air vice-marshal (AVM) is a two-star air officer rank which originated in and continues to be used by the Royal Air Force. The rank is also used by the air forces of many countries which have historical British influence and it is sometimes u ...

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

Royal Navy The Royal Navy (RN) is the United Kingdom's naval warfare force. Although warships were used by English and Scottish kings from the early medieval period, the first major maritime engagements were fought in the Hundred Years' War against F ...

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 commissioned officer rank in the armed forces of many nations. The meaning of lieutenant differs in different militaries (see comparative military ranks), but it is often sub ...

on 15 December 1900. He later served through the

First World War World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, the United States, and the Ottoman Empire, with fightin ...

with the navy and in the

Royal Air Force The Royal Air Force (RAF) is the United Kingdom's air and space force. It was formed towards the end of the First World War on 1 April 1918, becoming the first independent air force in the world, by regrouping the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) and ...

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 military 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 ...

in 1926–29. During the

Second World War World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposin ...

, 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 play ...

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 for Bes ...

'' 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 The former Royal Air Force Station Kenley, more commonly known as RAF Kenley was an airfield station of the Royal Flying Corps in the First World War and the RAF in the Second World War. It played a significant role during the Battle of Britain ...

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 Officiers of the Légion d'honneur 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 Surrey {{RAF-bio-stub