Air Commodore James Lloyd Findlay (6 October 1895 – 17 March 1983) was a New Zealand soldier and air force officer who served in both

World War A world war is an international conflict which involves all or most of the world's major powers. Conventionally, the term is reserved for two major international conflicts that occurred during the first half of the 20th century, World WarI (1914 ...

Early life and family

Findlay was born in

Wellington Wellington ( mi, Te Whanganui-a-Tara or ) is the capital city of New Zealand. It is located at the south-western tip of the North Island, between Cook Strait and the Remutaka Range. Wellington is the second-largest city in New Zealand by metr ...

, New Zealand in 1895, the second son of Sir John Findlay, and was educated at

Wellington College Wellington College may refer to: *Wellington College, Berkshire, an independent school in Crowthorne, Berkshire, England ** Wellington College International Shanghai ** Wellington College International Tianjin * Wellington College, Wellington, Ne ...

First World War

Findlay had been studying in England at the outbreak of 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 ...

and was commissioned as an officer in the East Surrey Regiment. He distinguished himself during the

Battle of Loos The Battle of Loos took place from 1915 in France on the Western Front, during the First World War. It was the biggest British attack of 1915, the first time that the British used poison gas and the first mass engagement of New Army units. Th ...

in September 1915 and the Battle of the Somme in July 1916, and was decorated with the

Military Cross The Military Cross (MC) is the third-level (second-level pre-1993) military decoration awarded to officers and (since 1993) other ranks of the British Armed Forces, and formerly awarded to officers of other Commonwealth countries. The MC ...

and mentioned in despatches. Findlay was also awarded the Croix de Chevalier of the Légion d’honneur by France in recognition of his gallantry. Findlay was wounded during the opening stages of the Battle of the Somme, but after recuperating joined the Royal Flying Corps as a pilot in March 1917. His brother, Second Lieutenant Ian Calcutt Findlay, 2nd Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment had died of wounds at the 16th Field Ambulance Advanced dressing Station, Belgium on 10 August 1915, aged 18. Findlay served with the Royal Flying Corps throughout the war, but after transferring to 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) an ...

on inception in 1918 he was demobilised in August 1921.

Inter-war period

Findlay was married on 17 August 1921 in London to Ruby Violet Finch, youngest daughter of Thomas Alexander Finch of Trinity College, Dublin, after which they both returned to New Zealand. In June 1923 Findlay was one of the first officers to enlist in the New Zealand Permanent Air Force and commanded Base Wigram from 1926 to 1938. During his time in Christchurch he played cricket during the 1925–1926 season for

Canterbury Canterbury (, ) is a cathedral city and UNESCO World Heritage Site, situated in the heart of the City of Canterbury local government district of Kent, England. It lies on the River Stour. The Archbishop of Canterbury is the primate of ...

. He was a right-handed batsman and slow left-arm orthodox bowler. He was awarded the King George V Silver Jubilee Medal in 1935 and the Coronation Medal in 1937. Findlay was promoted to

wing commander Wing commander (Wg Cdr in the RAF, the IAF, and the PAF, WGCDR in the RNZAF and RAAF, formerly sometimes W/C in all services) is a senior commissioned rank in the British Royal Air Force and air forces of many countries which have historical ...

in January 1938 and proceeded for attachment to the Royal Air Force as an exchange officer.

Second World War

Attached to the RAF at the beginning of 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 opposi ...

he commanded No. 48 Squadron and RAF Hooton Park until recalled to New Zealand. After service at the New Zealand Air Department as Deputy Chief of the Air Staff he was appointed Air Officer Commanding Central Group in September 1942. Findlay was subsequently posted as New Zealand Head of the Joint Staff Mission and RNZAF Representative to Combined Chiefs of Staff, Washington DC, USA. He was appointed a

Commander of the Order of the British Empire The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry, rewarding contributions to the arts and sciences, work with charitable and welfare organisations, and public service outside the civil service. It was established ...

in the 1944 King's Birthday honours, and for his services in the United States he was awarded the United States Legion of Merit on 7 November 1946.Hanson, C.M., By Such Deeds: Honours and Awards in the Royal New Zealand Air Force 1923–1999, Christchurch: Volplane Press, 2001, p.187. His son, Ian Thomas Findlay, was a spitfire pilot killed in action over Yugoslavia on 12 Jan 1944.

Post-war

Findlay retired as an air commodore in 1954 after 10 years service as New Zealand Air Attaché in Washington DC. He died at Richmond, Surrey, England on 17 Mar 1983.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Findlay, James Lloyd 1895 births 1983 deaths New Zealand recipients of the Military Cross New Zealand Commanders of the Order of the British Empire Knights of the Legion of Honour New Zealand recipients of the Legion of Honour East Surrey Regiment officers Royal Flying Corps officers Royal Air Force personnel of World War I Royal New Zealand Air Force personnel New Zealand commanders New Zealand people of World War I New Zealand military personnel of World War I New Zealand military personnel of World War II New Zealand military personnel Foreign recipients of the Legion of Merit People educated at Wellington College, Wellington Canterbury cricketers New Zealand cricketers