John Kemball Explained

Sir John Kemball
Birth Date:31 January 1939
Allegiance:United Kingdom
Branch:Royal Air Force
Serviceyears:1957–1993
Rank:Air Marshal
Commands:British Forces on the Falkland Islands
Central Flying School
RAF Laarbruch
No. 54 Squadron
Awards:Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath
Commander of the Order of the British Empire

Air Marshal Sir Richard John Kemball, (31 January 1939 – 13 June 2021) was a Royal Air Force officer who served as Deputy Commander of Strike Command.

RAF career

Kemball was commissioned into the Royal Air Force in 1957.[1] He was appointed Officer Commanding No. 54 Squadron in 1976 and became Station Commander at RAF Laarbruch in 1978.[1] He went on to be Commandant of the RAF Central Flying School in 1983 and Commander of British Forces on the Falkland Islands in 1985 before becoming Chief of Staff and Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Strike Command in 1989.[1] During the First Gulf War, Kemball was chief of staff and deputy commander-in-chief at the British Joint Force Headquarters.[2] He retired in 1993.[1]

In retirement, he became Chief Executive of the Racing Welfare Charity,[3] Chairman of Essex Rivers NHS Healthcare Trust[1] and High Sheriff of Suffolk in 2007.[4] He died on 13 June 2021.[2]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Debrett's People of Today.
  2. News: Air Marshal Sir John Kemball, pilot on ground-attack missions over Aden who took senior roles in defence intelligence and during the Gulf War – obituary . 16 June 2021 . The Telegraph . subscription.
  3. Web site: Death of John Winter, aged 70; Trainer of Balidar and Double-U-Jay cared deeply for the welfare of racing. - Free Online Library. www.thefreelibrary.com.
  4. http://www.suffolk.gov.uk/CouncilAndDemocracy/LordLieutenant/DeputyLieutenantsoftheCountyofSuffolk.htm Deputy Lieutenants of the County of Suffolk