The photos were posted already but, I'm posting new informations not known .
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Brigadier-General Alfred Cecil Critchley, CMG 1919, DSO 1916. Mentioned in Despatches. Twice wounded.
Born Calgary 1890; son of Major O.A. Critchley. Married 1916, Marion, daughter of John Galt, President, Union Bank of Canada. One son (killed in action. Libya, Dec. 1941). Married secondly 1927, Joan Foster (one son, one daughter). Married third wife, Diana Fishwick, 1938 (one son, one daughter). Educated St Bees School, Cumberland.
Joined Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians) on leaving school. Adjutant of Strathcona's Horse, 1914-1915. Served on General Staff of 1st and 3rd Canadian Divisions as GSO1, GSO2 and GSO3, 1916-1917. He organized the Canadian Training School at Bexhill. Seconded to Royal Flying Corps, February 1918. To Reserve of Officers, Canadian Forces June 1919. Carried out a study of Mexico and Central America (development and colonisation). Returned to England in 1923, joining the Board of Associated and British Portland Cement Corporation of Great Britain. Built and operated first UK Greyhound track at Manchester, 1926. Conservative MP for Twickenham 1934-1935.
Air Commodore RAF Volunteer Reserve 1939. Organised and commanded initial training of all aircrew for the RAF until 1943. Director General of British Overseas Airways Corporation 1943-1946.
After the war he settled in England. In fashionable circles his reputation was not necesarily the best. In 1931 he achieved another 15 minutes of fame as the candidate in the East Islington by-election for Lord Beaverbrook's "Empire Crusade". This was Beaverbrook's inevitable attempt to move into the political big leagues with a single issue platform based on empire free trade. Critchley duly lost, and that was pretty much the end of the Empire Crusade.
© IWM (HU 120586)
© IWM (HU 121561)
