Ronald Francis Redpath


Ronald Francis Redpath was a Canadian fighter pilot who served in the Royal Naval Air Service, later commanding the Canadian Air Force.

Early life

Ronald Francis Redpath was born at Montreal, Quebec, Canada on 7 July 1888, to a merchant home.

First World War

Redpath joined the Royal Naval Air Service as Probationary Flight Sub‑Lieutenant, 22 November 1915 in Ottawa. He was among the original Canadians to be trained. He was posted on 1 May 1916 to No.3 Wing, Manstone. From there he was eventually posted to France. He is credited with ensuring that an early bombing raid did not mistakenly land in Switzerland. Redpath was awarded the French Croix de Guerre along with Raymond Collishaw.

Post-war

After the war, Redpath served as the second director of the Canadian Air Force. He succeeded Air Commodore Arthur Kellam Tylee, taking up post on 22 March 1921. However, his time of head of the Canadian Air Force was short-lived and he relinquished his post on 12 July that same year.
Redpath died on 11 January 1970 at the age of 81.