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Trenchard: Father of the Royal Air Force - the Biography: The Life of Viscount Trenchard, Father of the Royal Air Force
'A magnetic and colourful portrait' Daily TelegraphHugh 'Boom' Trenchard was embarrassed by being described as 'The Father of the Royal Air Force' - he thought others were more deserving. But the reality was that no man did more to establish the world's first independent air force and ensure its survival in the teeth of fierce opposition from both the Admiralty and the War Office. Born in Taunton in 1873, Trenchard struggled at school, not helped by the shame of his solicitor father's bankruptcy when he was sixteen. He failed entrance examinations to both the Royal Navy and the Army several times, eventually obtaining a commission through the 'back door' of the militia. After service in India, South Africa - where he was seriously wounded - and Nigeria, he found his destiny when he joined the fledgling Royal Flying Corps in 1912, where he was soon known as 'Boom' thanks to his stentorian voice. Quick to recognise the huge potential aircraft offered in future conflicts, he rose rapidly to command the RFC in France during the First World War despite handicaps that would have blighted conventional military he was obstinate, tactless, inarticulate and chronically unable to remember names - yet he was able to inspire unflagging loyalty among all ranks. Despite his conspicuous distrust of politicians, he served as a successful Chief of the Air Staff for a decade after the war and then, at the personal request of the King, took over as Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, which he reorganised and reformed. He never wavered in his belief that mastery of the air could only be achieved by relentless offensive action, or in his determined advocacy of strategic bombing. His most enduring legacy was the creation of the finest air force in the world, engendered with the spirit that won the Battle of Britain.
- GenresBiographyWorld War I
417 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 14, 2016
1 person is currently reading
22 people want to read
About the author
Russell Miller
55 books37 followersRussell Miller (born c. 1938) is a British journalist and author of fifteen books, including biographies of Hugh Hefner, J. Paul Getty and L. Ron Hubbard. While under contract to The Sunday Times Magazine he won four press awards and was voted Writer of the Year by the Society of British Magazine Editors.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
May 12, 2017
I enjoy reading about people who made a difference in the both world war and was really pleased to be asked to review this really interesting book by Nudge.
The book is so well written and gives a great account of Hugh "Boon" Trenchard and quite rightly has been described as " the father of the Royal Air Force"
With a life expectancy being weeks in the Royal Air Force and the battle of Britain this man survived and carried on in retirement as a powerful influence.
Trenchard's story begins not as the reader would expect, as he actually failed his entrance exams to both the navy and army on several occasions, but as luck would have it he managed to join the Royal Flying Corps in 1912. Two years later the first world war commenced and he rose up the ranks.
I will leave it up to the reader to decide if they did feel Trenchards position led to the terrible cost of German civilian lives with the bombings in the second world war or the fall of Singapore and base defenses- one today has to remember we are well read on aspects in history but hindsight is a great thing.
A worthwhile read and next time I am near Whitehall - I will seek out his statue.
The book is so well written and gives a great account of Hugh "Boon" Trenchard and quite rightly has been described as " the father of the Royal Air Force"
With a life expectancy being weeks in the Royal Air Force and the battle of Britain this man survived and carried on in retirement as a powerful influence.
Trenchard's story begins not as the reader would expect, as he actually failed his entrance exams to both the navy and army on several occasions, but as luck would have it he managed to join the Royal Flying Corps in 1912. Two years later the first world war commenced and he rose up the ranks.
I will leave it up to the reader to decide if they did feel Trenchards position led to the terrible cost of German civilian lives with the bombings in the second world war or the fall of Singapore and base defenses- one today has to remember we are well read on aspects in history but hindsight is a great thing.
A worthwhile read and next time I am near Whitehall - I will seek out his statue.
May 6, 2018
I knew that Trenchard was the founder of the Royal Air Force, but this book tells us that he was far more than this.
He didn't like to give speeches, he had difficulty with words, and he yet succeeded in building up an air force that would be the example of many other air forces around the world. He would sent his men out against all odds, he knew beforehand that many would not return, but they had to get the job done. Yet many times he would be waiting at the airfield until the last aircraft had returned.
He fought in the Boer War, served in Nigeria and India, used the RAF to police from the air in Iraq.
During his time in the RAF, he always tried to get the best for his men. He clashed with the Army, the Royal Navy, and many members of Parliament. He was close friends with Winston Churchill, Douglas Haig, and T.E. Lawrence.
When his career with the RAF ended, he was asked to take care of the Metropolitan Police. The force had a bad reputation, and Trenchard shook the force up, turning it in a modernised force that fought crime effectively.
He was not charming at all, could be quite blunt, and made many enemies along the way. Yet he was also a caring, fun loving father when around his kids. During the Second World War he went to the airfields and spoke with the pilots that bore the brunt of the fighting. They admired him and his visits did raise morale.
This book tells the story of this colorful character, and shows a side that many will not be familiar with.
Highly recommended!
He didn't like to give speeches, he had difficulty with words, and he yet succeeded in building up an air force that would be the example of many other air forces around the world. He would sent his men out against all odds, he knew beforehand that many would not return, but they had to get the job done. Yet many times he would be waiting at the airfield until the last aircraft had returned.
He fought in the Boer War, served in Nigeria and India, used the RAF to police from the air in Iraq.
During his time in the RAF, he always tried to get the best for his men. He clashed with the Army, the Royal Navy, and many members of Parliament. He was close friends with Winston Churchill, Douglas Haig, and T.E. Lawrence.
When his career with the RAF ended, he was asked to take care of the Metropolitan Police. The force had a bad reputation, and Trenchard shook the force up, turning it in a modernised force that fought crime effectively.
He was not charming at all, could be quite blunt, and made many enemies along the way. Yet he was also a caring, fun loving father when around his kids. During the Second World War he went to the airfields and spoke with the pilots that bore the brunt of the fighting. They admired him and his visits did raise morale.
This book tells the story of this colorful character, and shows a side that many will not be familiar with.
Highly recommended!
November 20, 2022
If you have ever liked a Spitfire, wondered why Col.T.E.Lawrence was able to re-enlist as an Airman or studied WWI aviation tactics, this book is for you. Lord Trenchard was the 'right man in the right place at the right time.' He was badly wounded in the Boar War but survived to organise a bombing campaign at the end of WWI.
An able administrator whose handwriting was virtually indecipherable, an inspiring champion of technical education who could barely string two coherent sentences together, he managed to enable a system of training that survives today.
Self effacing, diffident and intensely loyal, he is someone who stands out as a 'key figure' of the 20th century and this biography is well worth your time.
An able administrator whose handwriting was virtually indecipherable, an inspiring champion of technical education who could barely string two coherent sentences together, he managed to enable a system of training that survives today.
Self effacing, diffident and intensely loyal, he is someone who stands out as a 'key figure' of the 20th century and this biography is well worth your time.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews