Introduction
Air Chief Marshal Sir David George Evans, GCB, CBE (14 July 1924 – 21 February 2020) was a senior commander of the Royal Air Force.
Career
Born and educated in Canada, Evans was commissioned into the Royal Air Force as a pilot officer under an emergency commission on 7 April 1944 during the Second World War. He underwent pilot training in Canada and he then completed operational training in Ismaïlia in Egypt. On 7 October 1944, he was promoted to flying officer (war substantive). Evans was one of the first RAF officers to enter Bergen-Belsen concentration camp.
He was promoted to flight lieutenant (war substantive) on 7 April 1946. His promotion to flying officer was confirmed on 30 September 1947 with seniority from 7 April 1946. Evans was promoted to the substantive rank of flight lieutenant on 29 October 1948, with promotions to squadron leader on 1 October 1954, to wing commander on 1 July 1959 and to group captain on 1 July 1964.
He piloted the British bobsleigh team at the 1964 Olympics.
In 1973 Evans was made Air Officer Commanding No. 1 Group, in 1976 he was appointed Vice Chief of the Air Staff and he went on to be Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief RAF Strike Command the following year. He was Vice-Chief of the Defence Staff from 1981 to 1983.
Later life
In retirement, Evans became a Non-Executive Director of British Aerospace.
Awards and decorations
On 9 June 1955, Squadron Leader Evans was awarded the Queen's Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air.
In 1985 he was made King of Arms of the Order of the Bath.