Marshal of the Royal Australian Air Force explained

Marshal of the Royal Australian Air Force
Country: Australia
Abbreviation:MRAAF
Rank:Five-star
Nato Rank:OF-10
Non-Nato Rank:O-11
Lower Rank:Air chief marshal

Marshal of the Royal Australian Air Force (MRAAF) is the highest rank of the Royal Australian Air Force and was created as a direct equivalent of the British Royal Air Force rank of Marshal of the Royal Air Force.[1] It is considered a five-star rank.

It has only twice been awarded, each time as an honorary rank to a senior member of the Royal Family. On 2 June 1938 King George VI assumed the rank which he held until his death in 1952. Two years later, the Duke of Edinburgh was granted the rank. He was present at the 50th anniversary celebrations of the Royal Australian Air Force in March 1971 as a Marshal of the RAAF;[2] [3] and continued to hold the rank[4] until his death in 2021.

Marshal of the Royal Australian Air Force is a higher rank than air chief marshal. Marshal of the Royal Australian Air Force is a direct equivalent of admiral of the fleet in the Royal Australian Navy and field marshal in the Australian Army.

The insignia is four light blue bands (each on a slightly wider black band) over a light blue band on a black broad band.

Marshals of the Royal Australian Air Force

Appointed Name
Born
Died
Notes
2 June 1938 14 December 1895 6 February 1952 King of Australia[5]
1 April 1954 10 June 1921 9 April 2021 Prince Consort to HM Queen Elizabeth II of Australia[6]
8 September 2022 King1948 Living King of Australia

See also

Notes and References

  1. News: ORDER. . Commonwealth Of Australia Gazette . 107 . Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 19 December 1963 . 6 June 2024 . 4581 . National Library of Australia.
  2. Book: Allison, Ronald . Riddell, Sarah . The Royal encyclopedia . 30 . Macmillan Press . 1991 .
  3. News: DUKE OF EDINBURGH AT CELEBRATIONS . RAAF News . Australia, Australia . 1 January 1971 . 24 September 2022 . 1 . National Library of Australia.
  4. Web site: Archived copy . 6 May 2013 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130617152205/http://www.royal.gov.uk/MonarchUK/ArmedForces/TheRoyalAirForce.aspx . 17 June 2013 .
  5. News: Government Gazette Notices . . 34 . Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 2 June 1938 . 6 June 2024 . 1651 . National Library of Australia.
  6. News: Government Gazette Notices . Commonwealth Of Australia Gazette . 20 . Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 1 April 1954 . 6 June 2024 . 967 . National Library of Australia.