Danny and MPN11
Thanks for the clarification of Acting rank.
That makes sense... Arthur's service record states
'relinquished Acting Sqn Ldr'... thus he surrendered it when he became 'supply DGO' at the Air Ministry; then two months later regained it on appointment as 'ADO'.
The fact that the appointment of Acting rank is contingent on meeting a job specification throws light on another 'mystery'. On being posted to 221 Group, Air Staff Plans, after Arthur left the command of 84 Sqn, he seems to have been tipped for promotion to Wg Cdr. In the event it didn't happen (much to the disgust of his colleagues back at 84). Probably he didn't meet the job spec and the Wg Cdr post went to someone else.
He stayed on at Air staff Plans for three months, involved in planning the relocating of RAF units as the Burma Front moved forward in the wake of the retreating Japanese. Still attached to 221 Group, he then got a rather pleasant job, using a Beechcraft 'Expiter' to transport senior staff to and from the Front. He called it 'my airliner'. Within two months he was designated to return to the UK, 'time lapsed', having spent four years overseas. Thus his little 'aerial holiday' drew to a close.
Beechcraft 'Expeditor'(Thanks for the correction below, Danny!) Photo taken by Arthur with his Leica camera, generously presented to him when he left 84 Squadron, in 1944.