C.B. (Military), O.B.E. (2nd type Military) D.F.C. (GV), A.F.C.(GV) with second and third award bars, B.W.M. Victory (Lieut. R.A.F.), G.S.M. clasp Kurdistan (F/O R.A.F.), 1939/45 Star, Africa Star, Defence Medal, War Medal, 1935 Jubilee, 1937 Coronation.
Air Vice Marshall T.A. Langford-Sainsbury
Mounted as originally worn
A total of only 12 Second Bars to the A.F.C. of which only 4 were awarded from it’s institution up to the end of WW2.
C.B. L.G. 1/1/1945,
O.B.E. L.G. 11/7/1940
D.F.C. L.G. 10/6/1924 ‘Operations in Kurdistan Feb 15 to 19 June 1923
Recommendation states
“This officer has shown great ability and devotion to duty during operations. His bombing from low altitudes is carried out in a determined manner. On one occasion after flying low over hostile country he succeeded in driving numbers of mounted tribesmen from their hiding places and in inflicting casualties on them.”
A.F.C. L.G. 1/1/1919
for services with home air defences towards the end of WW1
Bar to A.F.C. L.G. 1/1/1921 Services as a test pilot with R.A.E. Farnborough
Whilst not a recommendation, the following gives insight into his services in this time (Source: Tim Mason, British Flight Testing, Martlesham Heath, 1920-1939 (Putnam, London 1993))
Flight Lieutenant T.A. Tom Langford-Sainsbury, for six years on No.15 Squadron and latterly a Flight Commander, was unrivalled for his tatty uniform and battered hat; he also had the experience of an uncontrolled dive in a Vickers Virginia when an early autopilot “ran away” and could not be disconnected before reaching a speed which threatened to shake him and the aeroplane to pieces.”
Second bar to A.F.C. L.G. 11/5/1937, Services in connection with development of air reconnaissance squadrons
M.I.D. L.G. 2/6/1943
Thomas Audley Langford-Sainsbury, b. 23 Nov 1897 , ret. 15 May 1949, died 21 Jun 1972(Army):- (T) 2 Lt (P): 26 Sep 1916, 2 Lt. 9 Jun 1917, Lt. 26 Mar 1918.(RAF):- Lt: 1 Apr 1918, Fg Off: 1 Aug 1919, Flt Lt: 30 Jun 1923, Sqn Ldr: 1 Jun 1932, Wg Cdr: 1 Apr 1937, (T) Gp Capt: 1 Mar 1940, (T) A/Cdre: 1 Jun 1942, Act AVM: 16 Nov 1942, Gp Capt: 20 Nov 1942 [1 Oct 1941], A/Cdre (WS): 16 Nov 1943, (T) AVM: 1 Jun 1944 – 47, A/Cdre: 1 Dec 1944, Act AVM: 1 Nov 1947, AVM 26 Sep 1916,
Pilot, RFC. 8 May 1917: Flying Officer, RFC. 1917, Pilot, No 41 Sqn RFC. (one confirmed Albatross scout OOC. S.W.of Cambrai 18/10/1918 during a dogfight 8 DH’5s and 10 enemy scouts.
9 Sep 1919. Test Pilot, Experimental Section, RAE. 7 Mar 1922: Pilot, No 30 Sqn. 1 Apr 1924. Flight Commander, No 208 Sqn. 25 May 1926, Flight Commander, No 15 Sqn. 23 Sep 1932, Officer Commanding, No 36 Sqn. (Vildebeest) 27 Jan 1936, Officer Commanding, No 48 Sqn. (Anson I) 19 Sep 1938: Air Staff, HQ No 16 (Reconnaissance) Group. 15 Dec 1941: Deputy SASO, HQ Coastal Command. 16 Nov 1942: AOC, No 15 (General Reconnaissance) Group. 5 Mar 1943: AOC, No 201 (Naval Co-operation) Group. 1 Feb 1944: AOC, AHQ Eastern Mediterranean. xx Nov 1944: AOC AHQ Egypt. 25 May 1945: SASO, HQ Bomber Command. 7 Jul 1947: AOA, HQ British Air Forces of Occupation.
From ‘Flight’ 1949 ‘One of the few holders of the Air Force Cross and two bars – A.V.M. T.A. Langford-Sainsbury, C.B., O.B.E.. D.F.C., A.F.C. has retired from the R.A.F. He is one of only four officers to be do decorated, the others being…………A.V.M. Langford-Sainsbury, who was Air Officer I.C.A. B.A.F.O. Germany until his recent retirement, was awarded the A.F.C. in 1919 with home air defences. He gained a bar two years later for his services as a test pilot at the R.A.E. Farnborough. the second bar, awarded in 1937, was for his part in development which led to the introduction of general reconnaissance squadrons in the R.A.F. He won the D.F.C. in 1924 or operations in Kurdistan. During the recent war he served with No. 201 Group, Coastal Command, in the Middle East, and finally as Air Officer Commanding, Egypt.’
