Air Vice-Marshal Peter Dicken Cracroft, CB, AFC (1907-2003)
Michael Rhodes
Commanding Scotland and 18 Group, 1955-58, died 27 July, 2003. He was
aged 95.
Peter Dicken Cracroft was born 29 November, 1907, the son of
Lieutenant-Colonel H. Cracroft, of Bath, & was educated at Monkton
Combe School, Bath.
Career: Commissioned into the Royal Air Force in 1927; Fleet Air Arm,
1928-31; Central Flying School Instructors course, 1931; Flying
Instructor, Leuchars, 1931-35; Adjutant, H.M.S. Courageous, 1936-37;
Chief Flying Instructor, Oxford University Air Squadron, 1937-39; RAF
Station, Mount Batten, 1939-40; Air Staff, Coastal Command, 1940-41;
Officer Commanding RAF Station, Chivenor, 1941-43; Senior Air Staff
Officer, 19 Group (later 17 Group), 1933-44; Officer Commanding 111
Operation Training Unit, Bahamas, 1944-45; Senior Air Staff Officer,
HQ Air Command South East Asia, Military Gov. Penang, 1945; Air
Officer Commanding, Bombay, 1945-46; Senior Air Staff Officer, HQ 19
Group, 1946-48; RAF Director and Commanding Officer, Joint
Anti-Submarine School, Londonderry, 1948-50; Senior Air Liaison
Officer, South Africa, 1950-52; Air Officer Commanding 66 Group,
Edinburgh, 1952-53; Senior Air Staff Officer, HQ Coastal Command,
1953-55; Air Officer Commanding Scotland and 18 Group, 1955-58;
retired from the RAF, December, 1958, &c.
Cracroft, latterly of Walditch, near Bridport, Dorset, was awarded the
AFC in 1932, and appointed CB in 1954.
He married in 1932, Margaret Eliza Sugden (Peggy) Patchett, by whom he
had two sons, Hugh & Dicken.
He was prededceased by Mrs Cracroft.
The funeral takes place at St Mary's Church, Burton Bradstock, Friday
15 August, 2003.
--
Michael Rhodes