Victor Groom
Encyclopedia
Air Marshal
Sir Victor Emmanuel Groom KCVO
, KBE
, CB
, DFC
& Bar
(4 August 1898 – 6 December 1990) was a senior officer in the Royal Air Force
and a flying ace
of the First World War credited with eight aerial victories. He rose to become a consequential participant in air operations to support Operation Overlord
, the re-invasion of France during the Second World War.
on 26 April 1917. He was appointed a Flying Officer
on 30 January 1918 and placed on the General List of the Royal Flying Corps. On 18 March, he was assigned to 20 Squadron as a Bristol F.2 Fighter
pilot.
On his first combat flight, his formation leader fired a Very flare that landed in the rear cockpit of Groom's Bristol. While the observer burned his hands smothering the fire that threatened to set off munitions, Groom safely landed. Having survived friendly fire, Groom began to triumph over enemy fire on 8 May 1918, when he began a string of eight victories that would take him through to 30 July. Groom's final tally was three enemy planes set afire, four otherwise destroyed, and one driven down out of control; his observer/gunner for all these victories was Ernest Hardcastle
.
Groom went on leave, was laid low by influenza, and did not return to combat in France. Instead, upon recovery, he was posted to 111 Squadron in Egypt.
and on 22 May 1920, he continued Middle Eastern service with a new posting, to 55 Squadron.
On 25 March 1922, Groom returned home to begin a decade of staff assignments, enlivened only by being promoted from Flying Officer
to Flight Lieutenant
on 1 July 1924. He was given command of No. 28 Squadron
on 26 October 1932. On 1 October 1934 he was promoted to Squadron Leader
, his rank catching up with his position. He moved on to command of No. 58 Squadron
, then on to staff work at Headquarters Bomber Command, even as he continued to ascend in rank. On 1 January 1938, having earned an OBE at Bomber Command, he was promoted to Wing Commander
.
. In 1941, he moved back into staff work in the Directorate of Plans. The following year, he became head of the RAF Air Staff planning for Operation Overlord. As part of his duties there, he accompanied Air Chief Marshal
Trafford Leigh-Mallory
to North Africa to study operations there and bring home lessons learned. In the meantime, he continued his climb through the ranks: on 18 November 1942, he was confirmed as a Group Captain. On 1 June 1943, he was bumped up to Temporary Air Commodore
and on 8 September 1943 he was promoted to Acting Air Vice Marshal on appointment as Senior Air Staff Officer at Headquarters Second Tactical Air Force. On 8 September 1944 he was promoted to Air Commodore while Acting as Air Vice Marshal. In August 1945 he became Air Officer Administration at Headquarters Flying Training Command
.
on 20 October 1949. On 1 January 1952, he was promoted from Air Vice Marshal to Air Marshal
and appointed Ordinary Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire. He took command of the Middle East Air Force
in February 1952 and Technical Training Command
in July 1952.
Groom retired on 26 September 1955 and died on 6 December 1990.
Air Marshal
Air marshal is a three-star air-officer rank which originated in and continues to be used by the Royal Air Force...
Sir Victor Emmanuel Groom KCVO
Royal Victorian Order
The Royal Victorian Order is a dynastic order of knighthood and a house order of chivalry recognising distinguished personal service to the order's Sovereign, the reigning monarch of the Commonwealth realms, any members of her family, or any of her viceroys...
, KBE
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
, CB
Order of the Bath
The Most Honourable Order of the Bath is a British order of chivalry founded by George I on 18 May 1725. The name derives from the elaborate mediæval ceremony for creating a knight, which involved bathing as one of its elements. The knights so created were known as Knights of the Bath...
, DFC
Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)
The Distinguished Flying Cross is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force and other services, and formerly to officers of other Commonwealth countries, for "an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying in active operations against...
& Bar
Medal bar
A medal bar or medal clasp is a thin metal bar attached to the ribbon of a military decoration, civil decoration, or other medal. It is most commonly used to indicate the campaign or operation the recipient received the award for, and multiple bars on the same medal are used to indicate that the...
(4 August 1898 – 6 December 1990) was a senior officer in the Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
and a flying ace
Flying ace
A flying ace or fighter ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down several enemy aircraft during aerial combat. The actual number of aerial victories required to officially qualify as an "ace" has varied, but is usually considered to be five or more...
of the First World War credited with eight aerial victories. He rose to become a consequential participant in air operations to support Operation Overlord
Operation Overlord
Operation Overlord was the code name for the Battle of Normandy, the operation that launched the invasion of German-occupied western Europe during World War II by Allied forces. The operation commenced on 6 June 1944 with the Normandy landings...
, the re-invasion of France during the Second World War.
World War I
Groom was educated at Alleyns, Dulwich. He joined the Artists Rifles of the West Yorkshire Regiment as a Private and was commissioned and transferred to the Royal Flying CorpsRoyal Flying Corps
The Royal Flying Corps was the over-land air arm of the British military during most of the First World War. During the early part of the war, the RFC's responsibilities were centred on support of the British Army, via artillery co-operation and photographic reconnaissance...
on 26 April 1917. He was appointed a Flying Officer
Flying Officer
Flying officer is a junior commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many countries which have historical British influence...
on 30 January 1918 and placed on the General List of the Royal Flying Corps. On 18 March, he was assigned to 20 Squadron as a Bristol F.2 Fighter
Bristol F.2 Fighter
The Bristol F.2 Fighter was a British two-seat biplane fighter and reconnaissance aircraft of the First World War flown by the Royal Flying Corps. It is often simply called the Bristol Fighter or popularly the "Brisfit" or "Biff". Despite being a two-seater, the F.2B proved to be an agile aircraft...
pilot.
On his first combat flight, his formation leader fired a Very flare that landed in the rear cockpit of Groom's Bristol. While the observer burned his hands smothering the fire that threatened to set off munitions, Groom safely landed. Having survived friendly fire, Groom began to triumph over enemy fire on 8 May 1918, when he began a string of eight victories that would take him through to 30 July. Groom's final tally was three enemy planes set afire, four otherwise destroyed, and one driven down out of control; his observer/gunner for all these victories was Ernest Hardcastle
Ernest Hardcastle
Lieutenant Ernest Hardcastle was a World War I flying ace observer/gunner credited with twelve aerial victories. He would return to his nation's service during World War II.-Early life and service:...
.
Groom went on leave, was laid low by influenza, and did not return to combat in France. Instead, upon recovery, he was posted to 111 Squadron in Egypt.
Between the World Wars
On 1 August 1919, Groom was granted a permanent commission as a Lieutenant. On 15 December, he switched to 14 Squadron in PalestinePalestine
Palestine is a conventional name, among others, used to describe the geographic region between the Mediterranean Sea and the Jordan River, and various adjoining lands....
and on 22 May 1920, he continued Middle Eastern service with a new posting, to 55 Squadron.
On 25 March 1922, Groom returned home to begin a decade of staff assignments, enlivened only by being promoted from Flying Officer
Flying Officer
Flying officer is a junior commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many countries which have historical British influence...
to Flight Lieutenant
Flight Lieutenant
Flight lieutenant is a junior commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many Commonwealth countries. It ranks above flying officer and immediately below squadron leader. The name of the rank is the complete phrase; it is never shortened to "lieutenant"...
on 1 July 1924. He was given command of No. 28 Squadron
No. 28 Squadron RAF
No. 28 Squadron of the Royal Air Force operates the Merlin HC3/HC3A from RAF Benson.-World War I:No. 28 Squadron of the Royal Flying Corps was formed on 7 November 1915. Initially a training squadron it became a fighter squadron equipped with the Sopwith Camel.After the end of World War I No. 28...
on 26 October 1932. On 1 October 1934 he was promoted to Squadron Leader
Squadron Leader
Squadron Leader is a commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many countries which have historical British influence. It is also sometimes used as the English translation of an equivalent rank in countries which have a non-English air force-specific rank structure. In these...
, his rank catching up with his position. He moved on to command of No. 58 Squadron
No. 58 Squadron RAF
No. 58 Squadron was a squadron of the Royal Air Force.- History :No. 58 Squadron was first formed at Cramlington, Northumberland, on 8 June 1916 as a squadron of the Royal Flying Corps....
, then on to staff work at Headquarters Bomber Command, even as he continued to ascend in rank. On 1 January 1938, having earned an OBE at Bomber Command, he was promoted to Wing Commander
Wing Commander (rank)
Wing commander is a commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many other Commonwealth countries...
.
World War II
On 1 September 1940, he was promoted to Temporary Group Captain and became Station Commander at RAF MarhamRAF Marham
Royal Air Force Station Marham, more commonly known as RAF Marham, is a Royal Air Force station; a military airbase, near the village of Marham in the English county of Norfolk, East Anglia....
. In 1941, he moved back into staff work in the Directorate of Plans. The following year, he became head of the RAF Air Staff planning for Operation Overlord. As part of his duties there, he accompanied Air Chief Marshal
Air Chief Marshal
Air chief marshal is a senior 4-star air-officer rank which originated in and continues to be used by the Royal Air Force...
Trafford Leigh-Mallory
Trafford Leigh-Mallory
Air Chief Marshal Sir Trafford Leigh-Mallory KCB, DSO & Bar was a senior commander in the Royal Air Force. Leigh-Mallory served as a Royal Flying Corps pilot and squadron commander during World War I...
to North Africa to study operations there and bring home lessons learned. In the meantime, he continued his climb through the ranks: on 18 November 1942, he was confirmed as a Group Captain. On 1 June 1943, he was bumped up to Temporary Air Commodore
and on 8 September 1943 he was promoted to Acting Air Vice Marshal on appointment as Senior Air Staff Officer at Headquarters Second Tactical Air Force. On 8 September 1944 he was promoted to Air Commodore while Acting as Air Vice Marshal. In August 1945 he became Air Officer Administration at Headquarters Flying Training Command
RAF Flying Training Command
Flying Training Command was an organization within the Royal Air Force which controlled units responsible for delivering flying training. The command's headquarters were at Shinfield Park, Reading in Berkshire.-History:...
.
Post World War II
Groom became Director General of Manning for the RAF on 1 January 1947 and took command of No. 205 GroupNo. 205 Group RAF
No. 205 Group was a long-range, heavy bomber group of the Royal Air Force established on October 23, 1941 by boosting No. 257 Wing to Group status....
on 20 October 1949. On 1 January 1952, he was promoted from Air Vice Marshal to Air Marshal
Air Marshal
Air marshal is a three-star air-officer rank which originated in and continues to be used by the Royal Air Force...
and appointed Ordinary Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire. He took command of the Middle East Air Force
Near East Air Force (Royal Air Force)
The former Royal Air Force Near East Air Force, more simply known as RAF Near East Air Force, was the Command organisation that controlled all Royal Air Force assets in the Western Mediterranean .-History:...
in February 1952 and Technical Training Command
RAF Technical Training Command
Technical Training Command was an organization within the Royal Air Force which controlled units responsible for delivering aircraft maintenance training and other non-flying training, initially in Berkshire then in Cambridgeshire.-History:...
in July 1952.
Groom retired on 26 September 1955 and died on 6 December 1990.
Honors and awards
- Distinguished Flying CrossDistinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)The Distinguished Flying Cross is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force and other services, and formerly to officers of other Commonwealth countries, for "an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying in active operations against...
- 2 November 1918 An officer of great courage and dash who never hesitates to attack the enemy regardless of the superiority in numbers. While on a recent patrol this officer was one of a formation of eight that engaged twenty-five hostile scouts. Lieut. Groom shot down one, and his observer (Lieut. Hardcastle) a few minutes later destroyed another. On a later date, accompanied by the same observer, they were attacked by twelve scouts; two of these they shot down.
- Bar to the Distinguished Flying Cross - 19 August 1921 For conspicuous skill and gallantry under fire. While taking part in a bombing expedition from Mosul on the 5th May, 1921, an aeroplane was shot down by rifle fire in hostile country thtree miles west of Batas. Flying Officer Groom at once landed and picked up the crew of this machine while under enemy fire. He then successfully took off down hill and returned safely to Mosul with two passengers in the back seat and a third lying on one of the planes. This officer, in addition to showing great promptitude and gallantry, also displayed marked skill in first landing safely under most difficult conditions and then taking off with a very excessive load.
- Officer of the Order of the British Empire - 11 July 1940
- Commander of the Order of the British Empire - 5 July 1945
- Mentioned in DispatchesMentioned in DispatchesA soldier Mentioned in Despatches is one whose name appears in an official report written by a superior officer and sent to the high command, in which is described the soldier's gallant or meritorious action in the face of the enemy.In a number of countries, a soldier's name must be mentioned in...
- 1 January 1946 - Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire - 1 January 1952
- Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order - 16 July 1953