Did not someone suggest on the recent thread on the HCAP Royal Banquet that "Sir Fadge" was long overdue?

Maybe HM reads Pprune :eek::eek::eek:

A certain Air Attache got a similar, albeit slightly lower grade, surprise when HM visited Paris recently. Congratulations Air Cdre J... M... CBE

Having started my RAF career with Ian on D squadron at RAF Cranwell in 1960, he has always impressed me as a thoroughly professional pilot and leader.
This award is well deserved - well done Sir Ian and Lady Sally !!

Excellent news!

Sir Ian had already retired from the RAF before we met but my experience of him through the Honourable Company of Air Pilots fully reflects the compliments paid by those who served with him.


I've sent him the link.

FL - great - many thanks


W

Sir Ian
 

Delighted for you and Sally well deserved indeed!!! Was lucky enough to be presented my wings by Ian.
Best wishes from SW and Mrs SW!!!

Worked for him in OR when he was ACDS OR(Air). An absolute gentleman and a good boss. Last saw him when I reincarnated into a senior roll at DIOT and he came to review a graduation parade. By then he was an Air Marshal and by then he was on gardening leave in his last months in the service void of the trappings of senior rank (ie. no ADC or PSO). Before he retired he was desperate to review the cadets at graduation as he wanted to parade with his father's sword one last time, I seem to recall. He duly arrived and overnighted with the Comdt in The Lodge. On the morning of the parade he pulled his No1 out of its suit bag and was appalled to see that he had brought his old AVM uniform rather than his spankingly smart AM uniform! Undeterred he slipped into his tired costume and climbed on board the limo with the Comdt for the short drive to the parade square in front of CHOM. It was my duty to greet him and then follow the Comdt and the RO to the dais along the carpet in front of the grandstands. As I did so, I was amused to note that not only was the AM posing as an AVM but the backside of his trousers had a huge gash in them and his shirt tail was poking through! He didn't appear to give a damn (if he actually knew)!

Good old McFadge - a great man and well worth the knighthood - never could understand why they changed the rules about automatic for a 3-star just before he got his 3rd! If anybody deserves it, he does!

Bloggs

This is a very well deserved honour for a truly selfless man.

I first met Sir Ian in 2001 when he was Lieutenant Governer in the Isle of Man, and I attended an Air Power lecture he delivered at the Manx Museum. So inspiring was the topic and his anecdotes that I ended up on IOT the following year.

Such was the mark of the man, whilst I was off-island, that akin to being a nominated individual when OOA he called Mrs manxcat to check on her and my young son's welfare. Unbeknownst to me Sir Ian also called DIOT to determine my progress in training which led to much eyebrow raising by the DS that an AM would be asking after me while on FLC.

I later came across Sir Ian several years later during one of his many charitable ventures when I was involved with the RAF Disabled Holiday Trust and he was in attendance on behalf of the RAFBF. Even then he remembered me - the mark of great leader of men.

From what I've read, he was one of the best CAS we never had. Very many congratulations Sir Ian on your Knighthood.