This is an interesting man ... quite a full career !! Lionel Charlton was born on 7 July 1879 at Piccadilly in London. He was educated at Brighton College and entered the Lancashire Fusiliers in 1898. Shortly before World War I he transferred to the Royal Flying Corps, he gained RAeC Certificate No 609 on 29 August 1913 becoming one of its first brigadier-generals in 1917. During the First World War, Charlton served in the Royal Flying Corps, initially as a flight commander on No. 3 Squadron and later as the first Officer Commanding of No. 8 Squadron. No 8 Squadron was the first to be equipped with a single type of aircraft ... on 15 April 1915 when No. 8 Squadron was grouped with No. 13 Squadron to form the new 5th Wing of the RFC, Charlton temporarily took command until he travelled to France. CHARLTON, Air Commodore Lionel Evelyn Oswald. C.B. 1919; C.M.G. 1916; D.S.O. 1900; late R.A.F.; b. 7 July 1879; s. of late William O. Charlton of Hesleyside, Northumberland. Educ.: Brighton Coll. Served South Africa, 1899-1902 (twice wounded, despatches, Queen’s medal 5 clasps, King’s medal 2 clasps, D.S.O.); served W.A.F.F., 1902-7; European War, 1914-17 (wounded); Air Attaché, British Embassy, Washington, 1919-22; Chief Staff Officer, Iraq Command, 1923-24; retired list, 1928; Officier, Legion of Honour. Publications: A Hausa Reading Book; Charlton; War from the Air; and other works. Address: 18 Randolph Crescent, W.9. T. Abercorn 3691. Who’s Who 1937. London: A & C Black, 1937. L. E. O. Charlton (1879-1958) was one of the most prominent prophets of aerial armageddon in 1930s Britain. His distinguished career in the RFC/RAF ranged from observing the presence of von Kluck’s army from the air, which led to the BEF’s retreat from Mons in August 1914, to chief of staff in Iraq in the early 1920s, when the RAF was experimenting with “air control” policies to pacify tribal opposition. But he opposed the bombing of Iraqi villages and eventually retired early, turning to writing; by this time he was becoming interested in socialism as well as the prevention of cruelty to animals. His books on air defence include War from the Air (1935), War over England (1936), The Menace of the Clouds (1937), The Next War (1937; actually a reprint of the account of a massive German air attack on London from War over England), and part of the Penguin Special The Air Defence of Britain http://airminded.org/biographies/l-e-o-charlton/
If he opposed the bombing of Iraqi villages in the 1920s he would have come into conflict with Trenchard et al who were out to prove that the RAF could control territory independently of the army (deja vu, anyone?). No wonder he had to retire early - if he was interested in socialism and animal welfare when these things were not fashionable, he must have been an independent thinker and prepared to stand up for what he believed.
I didn't write out all I found on him ..... he definitely was not one of Trenchard 's favourites ... thats for sure !! Annie
I expect you found this link, which quotes the (non-)interview with Trenchard http://www.rafweb.org/Biographies/Charlton.htm
