David Craig, Baron Craig of Radley

Marshal of the Royal Air Force David Brownrigg Craig, Baron Craig of Radley, GCB, OBE (born 17 September 1929), is a retired Royal Air Force officer and member of the House of Lords. He served as the Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS) of the United Kingdom and thus the professional head of the British Armed Forces.

Early life

David Craig was born in Dublin, Ireland, on 17 September 1929, the son of Major Francis Craig and his wife Olive. As a boy growing up in what later became the Republic of Ireland, he was largely unaffected by the events of World War II. In 1943 he came to Britain and started at Radley College where, in addition to his studies, he rowed and later became Head of School. He gained a place at Lincoln College, Oxford, and joined Oxford University Air Squadron. Craig graduated with a BA in Pure Mathematics in 1951.

RAF career

Craig was commissioned as a Pilot Officer on 19 September 1951 (seniority from 19 December 1949) After receiving his commission in 1951, Craig went on to fly Meteors and Hunters. He was promoted to Flying Officer on 19 March 1952, (seniority from 19 June 1950) to Flight Lieutenant on 19 December of that year and to Squadron Leader on 1 January 1959.

Craig was promoted to Wing Commander on 1 January 1964; in 1965, he was...
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