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|nickname=
|nickname=
|allegiance= Australia
|allegiance= Australia
|serviceyears= 1934–1971
|serviceyears= 1934–71
|rank= [[Air Vice Marshal]]
|rank= [[Air Vice-Marshal]]
|branch= [[Royal Australian Air Force]]
|branch= [[Royal Australian Air Force]]
|commands= [[No. 2 Squadron RAAF|No. 2 Squadron]] (1941–42)<br />[[North Western Area Campaign|North-Western Area Command]] (1946)<br />[[No. 90 Wing RAAF|No. 90 Wing]] (1950–51)<br />[[Tengah Air Base|RAF Tengah]] (1951)<br />[[RAAF Air Command|Operational Command]] (1961–62)<br />[[Far East Air Force (Royal Air Force)|No. 224 Group RAF]] (1962–65)<br />Support Command (1966–67)<br />Joint Services Staff, London (1968–71)
|commands= [[No. 2 Squadron RAAF|No. 2 Squadron]] (1941–42)<br />[[North Western Area Campaign|North-Western Area Command]] (1946)<br />[[No. 90 Wing RAAF|No. 90 Wing]] (1950–51)<br />[[Tengah Air Base|RAF Tengah]] (1951)<br />[[RAAF Air Command|Operational Command]] (1961–62)<br />[[Far East Air Force (Royal Air Force)|No. 224 Group RAF]] (1962–65)<br />Support Command (1966–67)<br />Joint Services Staff, London (1968–71)
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}}
}}


[[Air Vice Marshal (Australia)|Air Vice Marshal]] '''Frank Headlam''' [[Order of the Bath|CB]], [[Order of the British Empire|CBE]] (15 July 1914&nbsp;– 23&nbsp;December 1976) was a senior commander in the [[Royal Australian Air Force]] (RAAF). Born and educated in [[Tasmania]], he joined the RAAF as an air cadet in January 1934. He specialised in flying instruction and navigation prior to the [[Military history of Australia in World War II|outbreak of World War&nbsp;II]]. In April 1941 he became commanding officer of [[No. 2 Squadron RAAF|No.&nbsp;2 Squadron]], operating [[Lockheed Hudson]]s. The squadron deployed to [[West Timor|Dutch Timor]] in December, and saw action against [[Empire of Japan|Japanese]] forces in the [[South West Pacific theatre of World War II|South West Pacific]]. After returning to Australia in February 1942, Headlam held staff appointments and training commands, finishing the war a [[group captain]].
[[Air Vice-Marshal]] '''Frank Headlam''' [[Order of the Bath|CB]], [[Order of the British Empire|CBE]] (15 July 1914&nbsp;– 23&nbsp;December 1976) was a senior commander in the [[Royal Australian Air Force]] (RAAF). Born and educated in [[Tasmania]], he joined the RAAF as an air cadet in January 1934. He specialised in flying instruction and navigation prior to the [[Military history of Australia in World War II|outbreak of World War&nbsp;II]]. In April 1941, he became commanding officer of [[No. 2 Squadron RAAF|No.&nbsp;2 Squadron]], which operated [[Lockheed Hudson]]s. The squadron deployed to [[West Timor|Dutch Timor]] in December, and saw action against [[Empire of Japan|Japanese]] forces in the [[South West Pacific theatre of World War II|South West Pacific]]. After returning to Australia in February 1942, Headlam held staff appointments and training commands, finishing the war a [[group captain]].


Headlam served as Officer Commanding [[North Western Area Campaign|North-Western Area]] in 1946, and as Director of Training from 1947 to 1950. In 1950–51, during the [[Malayan Emergency]], he was stationed at Singapore as commander of [[No. 90 Wing RAAF|No.&nbsp;90 (Composite) Wing]] and, later, [[Tengah Air Base|RAF Tengah]]. He twice served as acting Air Member for Personnel, in 1957 and 1959–60, receiving appointment as a [[Commander of the Order of the British Empire]] in 1958. Promoted air vice marshal, he successively held the positions of [[Air Officer Commanding]] (AOC) [[RAAF Air Command|Operational Command]] in 1961–62, AOC [[Far East Air Force (Royal Air Force)|No.&nbsp;224 Group RAF]] in Singapore from 1962 to 1965, [[Deputy Chief of Air Force (Australia)|Deputy Chief of the Air Staff]] in 1965–66, and AOC Support Command in 1966–67. He was appointed a [[Companion of the Order of the Bath]] in 1965. Following a posting to London as Head of the Australian Joint Services Staff from 1968 to 1971, he retired from the Air Force and died in [[Melbourne]] five years later.
Headlam served as Officer Commanding [[North Western Area Campaign|North-Western Area]] in 1946, and as Director of Training from 1947 to 1950. In 1950–51, during the [[Malayan Emergency]], he was stationed at Singapore as commander of [[No. 90 Wing RAAF|No.&nbsp;90 (Composite) Wing]] and, later, [[Tengah Air Base|RAF Tengah]]. He twice served as acting Air Member for Personnel, in 1957 and 1959–60, receiving appointment as a [[Commander of the Order of the British Empire]] in 1958. Promoted air vice-marshal, he successively held the positions of [[Air Officer Commanding]] (AOC) [[RAAF Air Command|Operational Command]] in 1961–62, AOC [[Far East Air Force (Royal Air Force)|No.&nbsp;224 Group RAF]] from 1962 to 1965 during the [[Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation|Indonesia–Malaysia ''Konfrontasi'']], [[Deputy Chief of Air Force (Australia)|Deputy Chief of the Air Staff]] in 1965–66, and AOC Support Command in 1966–67. He was appointed a [[Companion of the Order of the Bath]] in 1965. Following a posting to London as Head of the Australian Joint Services Staff from 1968 to 1971, he retired from the Air Force and died in [[Melbourne]] five years later.


==Early career==
==Early career==
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==World War II==
==World War II==
[[File:FltLt Headlam RAAF (AWM 000706).jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.3|Headlam (right) at Laverton in February 1940|alt=Two men in military uniforms, one wearing a forage cap and filling out a form]]
[[File:FltLt Headlam RAAF (AWM 000706).jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.3|Headlam (right) at Laverton in February 1940|alt=Two men in military uniforms, one wearing a forage cap and filling out a form]]
Following the [[Military history of Australia during World War II|outbreak of World War&nbsp;II]], No.&nbsp;1 Squadron was engaged in convoy escort and maritime reconnaissance duties.<ref name=Eather19/> Headlam continued to serve with the squadron as a flight commander until 15&nbsp;January 1940, when he was assigned to Headquarters Laverton as the station navigation officer. On 27&nbsp;March he was posted to the staff of RAAF Headquarters, [[Melbourne]]. He was promoted to [[squadron leader]] on 1&nbsp;June 1940.<ref name=NAAP/><ref name=NAAH/> Two weeks later he married Katherine Bridge at St Paul's Anglican Church in [[Frankston, Victoria|Frankston]]; the couple would have a son and a daughter.<ref name=ADB/>
Following the [[Military history of Australia during World War II|outbreak of World War&nbsp;II]], No.&nbsp;1 Squadron was engaged in convoy escort and maritime reconnaissance duties off south-eastern Australia.<ref name=Eather19/> Headlam continued to serve with the squadron as a flight commander until 15&nbsp;January 1940, when he was assigned to Headquarters Laverton as the station navigation officer. On 27&nbsp;March he was posted to the staff of RAAF Headquarters, [[Melbourne]]. He was promoted to [[squadron leader]] on 1&nbsp;June 1940.<ref name=NAAP/><ref name=NAAH/> Two weeks later he married Katherine Bridge at St Paul's Anglican Church in [[Frankston, Victoria|Frankston]]; the couple would have a son and a daughter.<ref name=ADB/>


Headlam was given command of No.&nbsp;2 Squadron at Laverton on 15&nbsp;April 1941, and raised to [[Wing commander (rank)|wing commander]] on 1&nbsp;July.<ref name=NAAP/><ref name=NAAH/> Equipped with [[Lockheed Hudson]]s, the squadron mainly conducted maritime patrols in southern waters until 5&nbsp;December, when four of its aircraft were ordered to [[Darwin, Northern Territory|Darwin]], Northern Territory, in response to fears of [[Empire of Japan|Japanese]] aggression in the Pacific.<ref name=Bomber8/><ref name=Eather22>Eather, ''Flying Squadrons'', p. 22</ref> On [[Attack on Pearl Harbor|7&nbsp;December]], this detachment established itself at [[El Tari Airport|Penfui]], near [[Kupang|Koepang]] in [[West Timor|Dutch Timor]], while No.&nbsp;2 Squadron's eight remaining Hudsons were stationed at Darwin on standby.<ref name=Gillison237>Gillison, [http://www.awm.gov.au/cms_images/histories/26/chapters/11.pdf ''Royal Australian Air Force'', pp. 237–238, 242]</ref><ref>Johnston, ''Whispering Death'', p. 58</ref> The following day, aware that Australia was now at [[Pacific War|war in the Pacific]], one of the Penfui-based Hudsons attacked the Japanese [[Pearl hunting|pearler]] ''Nanyo Maru'', which was suspected of being a radio ship, and forced it aground.<ref name=Bomber8/><ref name=Gillison237/> By 12&nbsp;December, Headlam had transferred to Penfui as commanding officer of the base, as well as No.&nbsp;2 Squadron.<ref name=Gillison237/>
Headlam was given command of No.&nbsp;2 Squadron at Laverton on 15&nbsp;April 1941, and raised to [[Wing commander (rank)|wing commander]] on 1&nbsp;July.<ref name=NAAP/><ref name=NAAH/> Equipped with [[Lockheed Hudson]]s, the squadron mainly conducted maritime patrols in southern waters until 5&nbsp;December, when four of its aircraft were ordered to [[Darwin, Northern Territory|Darwin]], Northern Territory, in response to fears of [[Empire of Japan|Japanese]] aggression in the Pacific.<ref name=Bomber8/><ref name=Eather22>Eather, ''Flying Squadrons'', p. 22</ref> On 7&nbsp;December, this detachment established itself at [[El Tari Airport|Penfui]], near [[Kupang|Koepang]] in [[West Timor|Dutch Timor]], while No.&nbsp;2 Squadron's eight remaining Hudsons were stationed at Darwin on standby.<ref name=Gillison237>Gillison, [http://static.awm.gov.au/images/collection/pdf/RCDIG1070482--1-.PDF ''Royal Australian Air Force'', pp. 237–238, 242]</ref><ref>Johnston, ''Whispering Death'', p. 58</ref> The following day, aware that Australia was now at [[Pacific War|war in the Pacific]], one of the Penfui-based Hudsons attacked the Japanese [[Pearl hunting|pearler]] ''Nanyo Maru'', which was suspected of being a radio ship, and forced it aground.<ref name=Bomber8/><ref name=Gillison237/> By 12&nbsp;December, Headlam had transferred to Penfui as commanding officer of the base, as well as No.&nbsp;2 Squadron.<ref name=Gillison237/>


During January 1942, No.&nbsp;2 Squadron's aircraft were dispersed at Penfui, [[Buru|Boeroe Island]], and Darwin. The Penfui detachment attacked Japanese shipping taking part in the invasion of [[Sulawesi|Celebes]].<ref name=Bomber8/> Two Hudsons shot down or damaged three Japanese floatplanes that attacked them as they were bombing a transport ship on 11&nbsp;January; the next day both Hudsons were themselves shot down by [[Mitsubishi A6M Zero|Mitsubishi Zeros]].<ref>Johnston, ''Whispering Death'', p. 113</ref> Penfui was bombed by the Japanese for the first time on 26&nbsp;January 1942, and attacked regularly thereafter, damaging some aircraft. The intact Hudsons were withdrawn to Darwin but Headlam and his staff remained at Penfui to enable the base to be used by aircraft during reconnaissance missions from Australia.<ref name=Bomber8/><ref>Johnston, ''Whispering Death'', pp. 118–119</ref> On 18&nbsp;February, Headlam was ordered to evacuate all his personnel except a small party to demolish the airfield with assistance from [[Sparrow Force]].<ref name=Gillison421>Gillison, [http://www.awm.gov.au/cms_images/histories/26/chapters/07.pdf ''Royal Australian Air Force'', pp. 421–422]</ref> He returned to Darwin the following day, just as the city experienced its first [[Attack on Darwin|raid by the Japanese]].<ref name=NAAH/><ref>Johnston, ''Whispering Death'', pp. 119, 130–131</ref> Four of No.&nbsp;2 Squadron's Hudsons were destroyed in the attack; the remainder were relocated to [[Daly Waters]], where they continued to carry out reconnaissance and bombing missions against Japanese targets in Timor.<ref name=Bomber8/><ref name=Eather22/>
During January 1942, No.&nbsp;2 Squadron's aircraft were dispersed at Penfui, [[Buru|Boeroe Island]], and Darwin. The Penfui detachment attacked Japanese shipping taking part in the invasion of [[Sulawesi|Celebes]].<ref name=Bomber8/> Two Hudsons shot down or damaged three Japanese floatplanes that attacked them as they were bombing a transport ship on 11&nbsp;January; the next day both Hudsons were themselves shot down by [[Mitsubishi A6M Zero|Mitsubishi Zeros]].<ref>Johnston, ''Whispering Death'', p. 113</ref> Penfui was bombed by the Japanese for the first time on 26&nbsp;January 1942, and attacked regularly thereafter, damaging some aircraft. The intact Hudsons were withdrawn to Darwin but Headlam and his staff remained at Penfui to enable the base to be used by aircraft during reconnaissance missions from Australia.<ref name=Bomber8/><ref>Johnston, ''Whispering Death'', pp. 118–119</ref> On 18&nbsp;February, Headlam was ordered to evacuate all his personnel except a small party to demolish the airfield with assistance from [[Sparrow Force]].<ref name=Gillison421>Gillison, [http://static.awm.gov.au/images/collection/pdf/RCDIG1070514--1-.PDF ''Royal Australian Air Force'', pp. 421–422]</ref> He returned to Darwin the following day, just as the city experienced its first [[Attack on Darwin|raid by the Japanese]].<ref name=NAAH/><ref>Johnston, ''Whispering Death'', pp. 119, 130–131</ref> Four of No.&nbsp;2 Squadron's Hudsons were destroyed in the attack; the remainder were relocated to [[Daly Waters]], where they continued to carry out reconnaissance and bombing missions against Japanese targets in Timor.<ref name=Bomber8/><ref name=Eather22/>


Headlam remained in Darwin as Controller of Operations at Headquarters [[North Western Area Campaign|North-Western Area]] until 12&nbsp;May 1942, when he was posted to [[Nhill]], Victoria, as commanding officer of No.&nbsp;2 Air Navigation School, operating Ansons.<ref name=AVM>{{cite web|url=http://airpower.airforce.gov.au/Contents/About-APDC/About-APDC/Office-of-Air-Force-History/Air-Marshals-of-the-RAAF/135/Air-Vice-Marshals-A-K.aspx |title=Air Vice-Marshals (A–K) |work=Air Marshals of the RAAF|publisher=Air Power Development Centre|accessdate=on 8 July 2013}}</ref><ref name=Training2>RAAF Historical Section, ''Training Units'', pp. 2–3</ref> No.&nbsp;97 (Reserve) Squadron was formed from the school's personnel in June.<ref name=Training2/> On 20&nbsp;July 1943, Headlam took command of No.&nbsp;2 Air Observer School (AOS), also operating Ansons, at [[Mount Gambier]], South Australia.<ref name=Training6>RAAF Historical Section, ''Training Units'', pp. 6–7</ref> He was promoted to [[group captain]] on 1&nbsp;December 1943, and was appointed commanding officer of No.&nbsp;3 AOS at [[Port Pirie]] on 9&nbsp;December.<ref name=NAAH/><ref name=Training6/> After handing over command of No.&nbsp;3 AOS, he commenced studies at [[RAAF Staff College|RAAF Staff School]] in [[Mount Martha]], Victoria, on 2&nbsp;October 1944. He was appointed senior administrative staff officer at North-Western Area Command on 12&nbsp;January 1945.<ref name=ADB/><ref name=NAAH/>
Headlam remained in Darwin as Controller of Operations at Headquarters [[North Western Area Campaign|North-Western Area]] until 12&nbsp;May 1942, when he was posted to [[Nhill]], Victoria, as commanding officer of No.&nbsp;2 Air Navigation School, operating Ansons.<ref name=AVM>{{cite web|url=http://airpower.airforce.gov.au/Contents/About-APDC/About-APDC/Office-of-Air-Force-History/Air-Marshals-of-the-RAAF/135/Air-Vice-Marshals-A-K.aspx |title=Air Vice-Marshals (A–K) |work=Air Marshals of the RAAF|publisher=Air Power Development Centre|accessdate=on 8 July 2013}}</ref><ref name=Training2>RAAF Historical Section, ''Training Units'', pp. 2–3</ref> No.&nbsp;97 (Reserve) Squadron was formed from the school's personnel in June.<ref name=Training2/> On 20&nbsp;July 1943, Headlam took command of No.&nbsp;2 Air Observer School (AOS), also operating Ansons, at [[Mount Gambier]], South Australia.<ref name=Training6>RAAF Historical Section, ''Training Units'', pp. 6–7</ref> He was promoted to [[group captain]] on 1&nbsp;December 1943, and was appointed commanding officer of No.&nbsp;3 AOS at [[Port Pirie]] on 9&nbsp;December.<ref name=NAAH/><ref name=Training6/> After handing over command of No.&nbsp;3 AOS, he commenced studies at [[RAAF Staff College|RAAF Staff School]] in [[Mount Martha]], Victoria, on 2&nbsp;October 1944. He was appointed senior administrative staff officer at North-Western Area Command on 12&nbsp;January 1945.<ref name=ADB/><ref name=NAAH/>


==Post-war career==
==Post-war career==
[[File:AVM Charlesworth & GpCapt Headlam (AWM NWA1022).jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.3|Group Captain Headlam (second from right) and Air Vice Marshal [[Alan Charlesworth]] (standing centre), of North-Western Area Command, welcome repatriated prisoners of war to Darwin in September 1945|alt=Ten men in military uniforms and fatigues talking in a room]]
[[File:AVM Charlesworth & GpCapt Headlam (AWM NWA1022).jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.3|Group Captain Headlam (second from right) and Air Vice-Marshal [[Alan Charlesworth]] (standing centre), of North-Western Area Command, welcome repatriated prisoners of war to Darwin in September 1945|alt=Ten men in military uniforms and fatigues talking in a room]]
Headlam became Officer Commanding North-Western Area in January 1946.<ref name=ADB/> Posted to Britain at the end of the year, he attended [[Royal Air Force Staff College, Andover]], and served with [[RAAF Overseas Headquarters]], London.<ref name=NAAP/><ref name=AVM/> On his return to Australia, in November 1947, he became Director of Training at RAAF Headquarters.<ref name=ADB/> In November 1950, Headlam was appointed to take over command of [[No. 90 Wing RAAF|No.&nbsp;90 (Composite) Wing]] from Group Captain Paddy Heffernan.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article2807473 |title=New RAAF CO in Malaya |newspaper=[[The Canberra Times]] |location=Canberra |date=10 November 1950 |accessdate=on 15 April 2013 |page=1 |publisher=[[National Library of Australia]]}}</ref> Headquartered at [[Changi Air Base|RAF Changi]], Singapore, No.&nbsp;90 Wing controlled RAAF units operating during the [[Malayan Emergency]]: No.&nbsp;1 (Bomber) Squadron, flying [[Avro Lincoln]]s, and [[No. 38 Squadron RAAF|No.&nbsp;38 (Transport) Squadron]], flying [[Douglas C-47 Skytrain|Douglas C-47 Dakotas]].<ref name=Solo246>Stephens, ''Going Solo'', pp. 246–247</ref> Headlam was slightly injured on 20&nbsp;December, when a No.&nbsp;38 Squadron Dakota he was co-piloting on a supply drop crash-landed at Kampong Aur in [[Pahang]], following engine failure.<ref>{{cite web|author=RAAF Headquarters&nbsp;– Directorate of Flying Safety|title=Crash landing of Dakota A65-66|date=1 February 1951|url=http://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/scripts/Imagine.asp?B=3312261|accessdate=on 10 July 2013|pages=1, 5–6}}</ref> In August 1951 he was named commander of [[Tengah Air Base|RAF Tengah]], Singapore, in addition to his post as commanding officer of No.&nbsp;90 Wing.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article45720125 |title=RAAF officer to command RAF base |newspaper=[[The Advertiser (Adelaide)|The Advertiser]] |location=Adelaide |date=16 August 1951 |accessdate=on 10 July 2013 |page=1 |publisher=National Library of Australia}}</ref> Headlam handed over command of No.&nbsp;90 Wing in December 1951.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article18242520 |title=New head for RAAF wing |newspaper=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]] |location=Sydney |date=4 December 1951 |accessdate=on 15 April 2013 |page=2 |publisher=National Library of Australia}}</ref>
Headlam became Officer Commanding North-Western Area in January 1946.<ref name=ADB/> Posted to Britain at the end of the year, he attended the [[Royal Air Force Staff College, Andover]], and served with [[RAAF Overseas Headquarters]], London.<ref name=NAAP/><ref name=AVM/> On his return to Australia, in November 1947, he became Director of Training at RAAF Headquarters.<ref name=ADB/> In November 1950, Headlam was appointed to take over command of [[No. 90 Wing RAAF|No.&nbsp;90 (Composite) Wing]] from Group Captain Paddy Heffernan.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article2807473 |title=New RAAF CO in Malaya |newspaper=[[The Canberra Times]] |location=Canberra |date=10 November 1950 |accessdate=on 15 April 2013 |page=1 |publisher=[[National Library of Australia]]}}</ref> Headquartered at [[Changi Air Base|RAF Changi]], Singapore, No.&nbsp;90 Wing controlled RAAF units operating during the [[Malayan Emergency]]: No.&nbsp;1 (Bomber) Squadron, flying [[Avro Lincoln]]s, and [[No. 38 Squadron RAAF|No.&nbsp;38 (Transport) Squadron]], flying [[Douglas C-47 Skytrain|Douglas C-47 Dakotas]]. The Lincolns conducted [[area bombing]] missions over communist-held territory, as well as strikes against pinpoint targets. The Dakotas were tasked with airlifting cargo, [[Very Important Person|VIPs]], troops and casualties, as well as supply drops to friendly forces and despatch of propaganda leaflets.<ref name=Solo246>Stephens, ''Going Solo'', pp. 246–250</ref> Headlam was slightly injured on 20&nbsp;December, when a No.&nbsp;38 Squadron Dakota he was co-piloting on a supply drop crash-landed at Kampong Aur in [[Pahang]], following engine failure.<ref>{{cite web|author=RAAF Headquarters&nbsp;– Directorate of Flying Safety|title=Crash landing of Dakota A65-66|date=1 February 1951|url=http://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/scripts/Imagine.asp?B=3312261|accessdate=on 10 July 2013|pages=1, 5–6}}</ref> In August 1951 he was named commander of [[Tengah Air Base|RAF Tengah]], Singapore, in addition to his post as commanding officer of No.&nbsp;90 Wing.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article45720125 |title=RAAF officer to command RAF base |newspaper=[[The Advertiser (Adelaide)|The Advertiser]] |location=Adelaide |date=16 August 1951 |accessdate=on 10 July 2013 |page=1 |publisher=National Library of Australia}}</ref> Headlam handed over command of No.&nbsp;90 Wing in December 1951.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article18242520 |title=New head for RAAF wing |newspaper=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]] |location=Sydney |date=4 December 1951 |accessdate=on 15 April 2013 |page=2 |publisher=National Library of Australia}}</ref>


On 19&nbsp;February 1952, Headlam became senior air staff officer (SASO) at Eastern Area Command in [[Penrith, New South Wales|Penrith]], New South Wales.<ref name=NAAH/><ref name=CanberraTimes>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article2882338 |title=Re-equipping bomber wing |newspaper=The Canberra Times |location=Canberra |date=20 May 1953 |accessdate=on 10 July 2013 |page=4 |publisher=National Library of Australia}}</ref> During his term as SASO, the RAAF began re-equipping with [[English Electric Canberra]] jet bombers and [[CAC Sabre]] jet fighters.<ref name=CanberraTimes/> The Air Force also underwent a major organisational change, as it transitioned from a geographically based command-and-control system to one based on function, resulting in the establishment of [[RAAF Air Command|Home]] (operational), [[Air Force Training Group RAAF|Training]], and Maintenance Commands. Eastern Area Command, considered a ''de facto'' operational headquarters owing to the preponderance of combat units under its control, was reorganised as Home Command in October 1953.<ref name=Solo74>Stephens, ''Going Solo'', pp. 74–77</ref> Headlam was appointed an [[Officer of the Order of the British Empire]] (OBE) in the 1954 [[New Year Honours]] for his "exceptional ability and devotion to duty".<ref>{{LondonGazette|issue=40054|supp=yes|startpage=40|date=1 January 1954|accessdate=on 22 August 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article26582293 |title=State has three of nation's eight new knights |newspaper=[[The Argus (Australia)|The Argus]]| location=Melbourne |date=1 January 1954 |accessdate=on 10 July 2013 |page=4 |publisher=National Library of Australia}}</ref> He was promoted to [[Acting (rank)|acting]] [[air commodore]] in May.<ref name=NAAP/> His appointment as aide-de-camp to [[Queen Elizabeth II]] was announced on 7&nbsp;October.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article18458170 |title=RAAF aides to Queen |newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald |location=Sydney |date=8 October 1954 |accessdate=on 10 July 2013 |page=5 |publisher=National Library of Australia}}</ref>
On 19&nbsp;February 1952, Headlam became senior air staff officer (SASO) at Eastern Area Command in [[Penrith, New South Wales|Penrith]], New South Wales.<ref name=NAAH/><ref name=CanberraTimes>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article2882338 |title=Re-equipping bomber wing |newspaper=The Canberra Times |location=Canberra |date=20 May 1953 |accessdate=on 10 July 2013 |page=4 |publisher=National Library of Australia}}</ref> During his term as SASO, the RAAF began re-equipping with [[English Electric Canberra]] jet bombers and [[CAC Sabre]] jet fighters.<ref name=CanberraTimes/> The Air Force also underwent a major organisational change, as it transitioned from a geographically based command-and-control system to one based on function, resulting in the establishment of [[RAAF Air Command|Home]] (operational), [[Air Force Training Group RAAF|Training]], and Maintenance Commands. Eastern Area Command, considered a ''de facto'' operational headquarters owing to the preponderance of combat units under its control, was reorganised as Home Command in October 1953.<ref name=Solo74>Stephens, ''Going Solo'', pp. 74–77</ref> Headlam was appointed an [[Officer of the Order of the British Empire]] (OBE) in the 1954 [[New Year Honours]] for his "exceptional ability and devotion to duty".<ref>{{LondonGazette|issue=40054|supp=yes|startpage=40|date=1 January 1954|accessdate=on 22 August 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article26582293 |title=State has three of nation's eight new knights |newspaper=[[The Argus (Australia)|The Argus]]| location=Melbourne |date=1 January 1954 |accessdate=on 10 July 2013 |page=4 |publisher=National Library of Australia}}</ref> He was promoted to [[Acting (rank)|acting]] [[air commodore]] in May.<ref name=NAAP/> His appointment as [[aide-de-camp]] to [[Queen Elizabeth II]] was announced on 7&nbsp;October 1954.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article18458170 |title=RAAF aides to Queen |newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald |location=Sydney |date=8 October 1954 |accessdate=on 10 July 2013 |page=5 |publisher=National Library of Australia}}</ref>


Headlam was promoted to [[Military rank#Types of rank|substantive]] air commodore on 1&nbsp;January 1955.<ref name=NAAH/> In November he was posted to RAAF Overseas Headquarters, London, and the following year undertook studies at the [[Royal College of Defence Studies|Imperial Defence College]].<ref name=NAAP/> Returning to Australia, he served as acting Air Member for Personnel at the [[Department of Air (Australia)|Department of Air]], Canberra, from 19&nbsp;March to 21&nbsp;October 1957, between the terms of Air Vice Marshals [[Frederick Scherger|Fred Scherger]] and [[Allan Walters]], and again from 24&nbsp;August 1959 to 28&nbsp;March 1960, between the terms of Walters and Air Vice Marshal [[William Hely|Bill Hely]].<ref name=AVM/><ref name="Solo499">Stephens, ''Going Solo'', pp. 499–500</ref> In this role Headlam occupied a seat on the Air Board, the service's controlling body that comprised its senior officers and was chaired by the [[Chief of Air Force (Australia)|Chief of the Air Staff]] (CAS).<ref name=ADB/><ref>Stephens, ''The Royal Australian Air Force'', p. 52</ref> Also at the Department of Air, he held the positions of Air Commodore Plans from October 1957 to January 1959, and Director General Plans and Policy from January to August 1959.<ref name=NAAP/> He was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 1958 [[Queen's Birthday Honours]], [[The London Gazette|gazetted]] on 3&nbsp;June.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=41405|supp=yes|startpage=3550|date=3 June 1958|accessdate=on 22 August 2013}}</ref> In May 1960 he became acting [[Deputy Chief of Air Force (Australia)|Deputy Chief of the Air Staff]].<ref name=ADB/>
Headlam was promoted to [[Military rank#Types of rank|substantive]] air commodore on 1&nbsp;January 1955.<ref name=NAAH/> In November he was posted to RAAF Overseas Headquarters, London, and the following year undertook studies at the [[Royal College of Defence Studies|Imperial Defence College]].<ref name=NAAP/> Returning to Australia, he served as acting Air Member for Personnel at the [[Department of Air (Australia)|Department of Air]], Canberra, from 19&nbsp;March to 21&nbsp;October 1957, between the terms of Air Vice-Marshals [[Frederick Scherger|Fred Scherger]] and [[Allan Walters]], and again from 24&nbsp;August 1959 to 28&nbsp;March 1960, between the terms of Walters and Air Vice-Marshal [[William Hely|Bill Hely]].<ref name=AVM/><ref name=Solo499>Stephens, ''Going Solo'', pp. 499–500</ref> In this role Headlam occupied a seat on the Air Board, the service's controlling body that comprised its senior officers and was chaired by the [[Chief of Air Force (Australia)|Chief of the Air Staff]].<ref name=ADB/><ref>Stephens, ''The Royal Australian Air Force'', p. 52</ref> He was also one of two RAAF members to serve on a committee, chaired by businessman William John Allison, examining conditions of defence service; the committee's recommendations led to a doubling of flight pay, among other improvements.<ref>Stephens, ''Going Solo'', pp. 103–104</ref> Headlam's other positions at the Department of Air included Air Commodore Plans from October 1957 to January 1959, and Director General Plans and Policy from January to August 1959.<ref name=NAAP/> The latter assignment put him in charge of the RAAF's Directorate of Intelligence.<ref>{{cite web|author=Department of Defence|title=Headlam, Frank&nbsp;– History|date=1947–1988|url=http://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/scripts/Imagine.asp?B=30718845|accessdate=on 10 July 2013|page=32}}</ref> Headlam was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 1958 [[Queen's Birthday Honours]], [[The London Gazette|gazetted]] on 3&nbsp;June.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=41405|supp=yes|startpage=3550|date=3 June 1958|accessdate=on 22 August 2013}}</ref> In May 1960 he became acting [[Deputy Chief of Air Force (Australia)|Deputy Chief of the Air Staff]].<ref name=ADB/>


[[File:RAAF UH-1D of 9 Sqn in Vietnam 1970.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.3|[[Bell UH-1 Iroquois]] of [[No. 9 Squadron RAAF|No.&nbsp;9 Squadron]] in Vietnam; Headlam planned the RAAF's initial helicopter deployment to the region while Deputy Chief of the Air Staff in 1966|alt=Military helicopter with main door open, over jungle]]
[[File:RAAF UH-1D of 9 Sqn in Vietnam 1970.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.3|[[Bell UH-1 Iroquois]] of [[No. 9 Squadron RAAF|No.&nbsp;9 Squadron]] in Vietnam; Headlam planned the RAAF's initial helicopter deployment to the region while Deputy Chief of the Air Staff in 1966|alt=Military helicopter with main door open, over jungle]]
On 30&nbsp;January 1961, Headlam joined the staff of Operational Command (OPCOM), the successor organisation to Home Command, responsible for the direction of RAAF operational units.<ref name=NAAH/><ref name=Solo74/> He took over as [[Air Officer Commanding]] (AOC) OPCOM from Air Vice Marshal [[Valston Hancock|Val Hancock]] in April.<ref name=NAAP/><ref name=Stephenson>Stephenson, ''Three Passions and a Lucky Penny'', p. 92</ref> Headlam was promoted to [[air vice marshal]] on 29&nbsp;May.<ref name=NAAH/> On 17&nbsp;July 1962, he was posted to [[RMAF Butterworth|RAAF Base Butterworth]], Malaya, and took up the appointment of AOC [[Far East Air Force (Royal Air Force)|No.&nbsp;224 Group RAF]] in Singapore one week later.<ref name=NAAH/><ref>{{cite journal|title=New air commander|work=[[The Straits Times]]|date=23 July 1962|page=p. 7|url=http://newspapers.nl.sg/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19620723-1.2.68.aspx|location=Singapore|publisher=[[National Library, Singapore]]|accessdate=on 28 August 2013}}</ref> He was succeeded as AOC OPCOM by Air Vice Marshal Alister Murdoch.<ref name=Stephenson/> As AOC No.&nbsp;224 Group, Headlam had overall responsibility for regional air defence and offensive air operations during the [[Brunei Revolt|Brunei Rebellion]] in December 1962, and the subsequent [[Indonesia–Malaysia Confrontation|''Konfrontasi'' between Indonesia and Malaysia]] that officially began the following month.<ref name=ADB/><ref>Dennis; Grey, ''Emergency and Confrontation'', pp. 172, 175</ref> Divorced from his first wife in 1956, he married widowed social worker Vernon Spence at the Sydney registry office on 20&nbsp;January 1964.<ref name=ADB/><ref>Legge, ''Who's Who in Australia 1971'', p. 455</ref>
On 30&nbsp;January 1961, Headlam joined the staff of Operational Command (OPCOM), the successor organisation to Home Command, responsible for the direction of RAAF operational units.<ref name=NAAH/><ref name=Solo74/> He took over as [[Air Officer Commanding]] (AOC) OPCOM from Air Vice-Marshal [[Valston Hancock|Val Hancock]] in April.<ref name=NAAP/><ref name=Stephenson>Stephenson, ''Three Passions and a Lucky Penny'', p. 92</ref> Headlam was promoted to [[air vice-marshal]] on 29&nbsp;May.<ref name=NAAH/> On 17&nbsp;July 1962, he was posted to [[RMAF Butterworth|RAAF Base Butterworth]], Malaya, and took up the appointment of AOC [[Far East Air Force (Royal Air Force)|No.&nbsp;224 Group RAF]] in Singapore one week later.<ref name=NAAH/><ref>{{cite news|title=New air commander|work=[[The Straits Times]]|date=23 July 1962|page=p. 7|url=http://newspapers.nl.sg/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19620723-1.2.68.aspx|location=Singapore|publisher=[[National Library, Singapore]]|accessdate=on 28 August 2013}}</ref> He was succeeded as AOC OPCOM by Air Vice-Marshal Alister Murdoch.<ref name=Stephenson/> As AOC No.&nbsp;224 Group, Headlam had overall responsibility for regional air defence and offensive air operations during the [[Brunei Revolt|Brunei Rebellion]] in December 1962, and the subsequent [[Indonesia–Malaysia Confrontation|''Konfrontasi'' between Indonesia and Malaysia]] that officially began the following month.<ref name=ADB/><ref>Dennis; Grey, ''Emergency and Confrontation'', pp. 172, 175</ref> Divorced from his first wife in 1956, he married widowed social worker Vernon Spence at the Sydney registry office on 20&nbsp;January 1964.<ref name=ADB/><ref>Legge, ''Who's Who in Australia 1971'', p. 455</ref> He handed over No.&nbsp;224 Group to Air Vice-Marshal [[Christopher Foxley-Norris]] on 30&nbsp;November.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Service aviation|work=[[Flight International]]|date=13 August 1964|page=p. 268| url=http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1964/1964%20-%202249.html| accessdate=on 28 August 2013}}</ref>


Headlam handed over No.&nbsp;224 Group to Air Vice Marshal [[Christopher Foxley-Norris]] on 30&nbsp;November 1964.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Service aviation|work=[[Flight International]]|date=13 August 1964|page=p. 268| url=http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1964/1964%20-%202249.html| accessdate=on 28 August 2013}}</ref> Returning to Australia, Headlam became Deputy Chief of the Air Staff (DCAS) on 26&nbsp;January 1965.<ref name=ADB/><ref name=NAAH/> He was appointed a [[Companion of the Order of the Bath]] (CB) "in recognition of distinguished service in the Borneo Territories" on 22&nbsp;June.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=43690|supp=yes|startpage=3977|date=22 June 1965|accessdate=on 22 August 2013}}</ref> The first RAAF helicopters were committed to the [[Vietnam War]] towards the end of his tenure as DCAS, and he travelled to [[Saigon]] with the [[Chief of Army (Australia)|Chief of the General Staff]], Lieutenant General [[John Wilton (general)|Sir John Wilton]], in March 1966 to plan the deployment.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article105891140 |title=Copters for Vietnam |newspaper=The Canberra Times |location=Canberra|date=11 March 1966 |accessdate=on 10 July 2013 |page=9 |publisher=National Library of Australia}}</ref><ref>Coulthard-Clark, ''The RAAF in Vietnam'', p. 130</ref> Headlam succeeded Air Vice Marshal Douglas Candy as AOC Support Command, Melbourne, on 8&nbsp;August 1966.<ref name=NAAH/><ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article105885455 |title=Changes in RAAF posts |newspaper=The Canberra Times |location=Canberra |date=4 February 1966 |accessdate=on 10 July 2013 |page=12 |publisher=National Library of Australia}}</ref> Support Command had been formed in 1959, by merging the RAAF's former Training and Maintenance Commands.<ref name=Solo74/> On 1&nbsp;January 1968, Headlam was posted to London as Head of the Australian Joint Services Staff.<ref name=ADB/><ref name=NAAH/> He served as an [[Gentleman Usher|Extra Gentleman Usher]] to the Queen from 17&nbsp;November 1970 to 5&nbsp;June 1971.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=45233 |supp=yes|startpage=12595|date=17 November 1970|accessdate=on 22 August 2013}}</ref><ref>{{London Gazette|issue=45402|supp=yes|startpage=6551|date=5 June 1971|accessdate=on 22 August 2013}}</ref>
Returning to Australia, Headlam became Deputy Chief of the Air Staff (DCAS) on 26&nbsp;January 1965.<ref name=ADB/><ref name=NAAH/> He was appointed a [[Companion of the Order of the Bath]] (CB) "in recognition of distinguished service in the Borneo Territories" on 22&nbsp;June.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=43690|supp=yes|startpage=3977|date=22 June 1965|accessdate=on 22 August 2013}}</ref> His tenure as DCAS coincided with the most significant rearmament program the Air Force had undertaken since World War&nbsp;II, and manpower shortages stemming from Australia's increasing involvement in the security of South East Asia.<ref>{{cite web|author=Department of Defence|title=Headlam, Frank&nbsp;– Personal|date=1932–1971|url=http://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/scripts/Imagine.asp?B=30718846|accessdate=on 26 September 2013|page= 5}}</ref><ref>Stephens, ''Going Solo'', pp. 88–89</ref> The first RAAF helicopters were committed to the [[Vietnam War]] towards the end of his term, and he travelled to [[Saigon]] with the [[Chief of Army (Australia)|Chief of the General Staff]], Lieutenant General [[John Wilton (general)|Sir John Wilton]], in March 1966 to plan the deployment.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article105891140 |title=Copters for Vietnam |newspaper=The Canberra Times |location=Canberra|date=11 March 1966 |accessdate=on 10 July 2013 |page=9 |publisher=National Library of Australia}}</ref><ref>Coulthard-Clark, ''The RAAF in Vietnam'', p. 130</ref> The year before, Wilton had recommended to Air Marshal Murdoch, the Chief of the Air Staff, that two Iroquois be sent to Vietnam for familiarisation purposes; Murdoch had rebuffed Wilton, and the RAAF helicopter squadron was considered underprepared for its army co-operation role when it finally did deploy.<ref>Stephens, ''The Royal Australian Air Force'', pp. 264–265</ref> Headlam succeeded Air Vice-Marshal Douglas Candy as AOC Support Command, Melbourne, on 8&nbsp;August 1966.<ref name=NAAH/><ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article105885455 |title=Changes in RAAF posts |newspaper=The Canberra Times |location=Canberra |date=4 February 1966 |accessdate=on 10 July 2013 |page=12 |publisher=National Library of Australia}}</ref> Support Command had been formed in 1959, by merging the RAAF's former Training and Maintenance Commands.<ref name=Solo74/> On 1&nbsp;January 1968, Headlam was posted to London as Head of the Australian Joint Services Staff.<ref name=ADB/><ref name=NAAH/> He served as an [[Gentleman Usher|Extra Gentleman Usher]] to the Queen from 17&nbsp;November 1970 to 5&nbsp;June 1971.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=45233 |supp=yes|startpage=12595|date=17 November 1970|accessdate=on 22 August 2013}}</ref><ref>{{London Gazette|issue=45402|supp=yes|startpage=6551|date=5 June 1971|accessdate=on 22 August 2013}}</ref>


==Retirement==
==Retirement==
Returning to Australia in June 1971, Headlam took resettlement leave before retiring from the Air Force on 3&nbsp;August.<ref name=WW2/><ref name=NAAP/> He made his home in Melbourne, where he died aged 62 on 23&nbsp;December 1976, after a lengthy battle with cancer. Survived by his children and his second wife, he was given a private funeral and cremated at [[Springvale Botanical Cemetery|Springvale Crematorium]].<ref name=ADB/><ref>{{cite journal|work=[[The Age]]|location=Melbourne|date=27 December 1976|title=Air Vice Marshal dies, 62|page=p. 2}}</ref>
Returning to Australia in June 1971, Headlam took resettlement leave before retiring from the Air Force on 3&nbsp;August.<ref name=WW2/><ref name=NAAP/> He made his home in Melbourne, where he died aged 62 on 23&nbsp;December 1976, after a lengthy battle with cancer. Survived by his children and his second wife, he was given a private funeral and cremated at [[Springvale Botanical Cemetery|Springvale Crematorium]].<ref name=ADB/><ref>{{cite news|work=[[The Age]]|location=Melbourne|date=27 December 1976|title=Air Vice-Marshal dies, 62|page=p. 2}}</ref>


==Notes==
==Notes==
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==References==
==References==
{{Commonscat|Frank Headlam (RAAF officer)}}
* {{cite book|last=Coulthard-Clark| first=Chris|year=1991| title=The Third Brother: The Royal Australian Air Force 1921–39| url=http://airpower.airforce.gov.au/Publications/Details/437/The-Third-Brother-The-Royal-Australian-Air-Force-1921-39.aspx|location=North Sydney| publisher=[[Allen & Unwin]]|isbn=0-04-442307-1}}
* {{cite book|last=Coulthard-Clark| first=Chris|year=1991| title=The Third Brother: The Royal Australian Air Force 1921–39| url=http://airpower.airforce.gov.au/Publications/Details/437/The-Third-Brother-The-Royal-Australian-Air-Force-1921-39.aspx|location=North Sydney| publisher=[[Allen & Unwin]]|isbn=0-04-442307-1}}
* {{cite book|last=Coulthard-Clark | first=Chris| year=1995| title=The RAAF in Vietnam: Australian Air Involvement in the Vietnam War 1962–1975| location=St Leonards, New South Wales| publisher=Allen & Unwin in association with the [[Australian War Memorial]]|isbn=1-86373-305-1}}
* {{cite book|last=Coulthard-Clark | first=Chris| year=1995| title=The RAAF in Vietnam: Australian Air Involvement in the Vietnam War 1962–1975| location=St Leonards, New South Wales| publisher=Allen & Unwin in association with the [[Australian War Memorial]]|isbn=1-86373-305-1}}
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{{s-mil}}
{{s-mil}}
|-
|-
{{s-bef|before=Air Vice Marshal [[Frederick Scherger]]}}
{{s-bef|before=Air Vice-Marshal [[Frederick Scherger]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Air Member for Personnel (Australia)|Air Member for Personnel]] <br /><small>(Acting)</small>|years=1957}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Air Member for Personnel (Australia)|Air Member for Personnel]] <br /><small>(Acting)</small>|years=1957}}
{{s-aft|after=Air Vice Marshal [[Allan Walters]]}}
{{s-aft|after=Air Vice-Marshal [[Allan Walters]]}}
|-
|-
{{s-bef|before=Air Vice Marshal Allan Walters}}
{{s-bef|before=Air Vice-Marshal Allan Walters}}
{{s-ttl|title=Air Member for Personnel <br /><small>(Acting)</small>|years=1959–1960}}
{{s-ttl|title=Air Member for Personnel <br /><small>(Acting)</small>|years=1959–1960}}
{{s-aft|after=Air Vice Marshal [[William Hely]]}}
{{s-aft|after=Air Vice-Marshal [[William Hely]]}}
|-
|-
{{succession box
{{succession box
|title= [[RAAF Air Command|Air Officer Commanding Operational Command]]
|title= [[RAAF Air Command|Air Officer Commanding Operational Command]]
|before= Air Vice Marshal [[Valston Hancock]]
|before= Air Vice-Marshal [[Valston Hancock]]
|after= Air Vice Marshal [[Alister Murdoch]]
|after= Air Vice-Marshal [[Alister Murdoch]]
|years= 1961–1962
|years= 1961–1962
|}}
|}}
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{{Persondata
{{Persondata
|NAME = Headlam, Frank
|NAME = Headlam, Frank
|ALTERNATIVE NAMES = [[Air Vice Marshal]] Frank Headlam
|ALTERNATIVE NAMES = [[Air Vice-Marshal]] Frank Headlam
|SHORT DESCRIPTION = [[Royal Australian Air Force|RAAF]] senior commander
|SHORT DESCRIPTION = [[Royal Australian Air Force|RAAF]] senior commander
|DATE OF BIRTH = 15 July 1914
|DATE OF BIRTH = 15 July 1914
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[[Category:Commanders of the Order of the British Empire]]
[[Category:Commanders of the Order of the British Empire]]
[[Category:Companions of the Order of the Bath]]
[[Category:Companions of the Order of the Bath]]
[[Category:People from Tasmania]]
[[Category:People from Launceston, Tasmania]]
[[Category:Royal Australian Air Force air marshals]]
[[Category:Royal Australian Air Force air marshals]]
[[Category:Royal Australian Air Force personnel of World War II]]
[[Category:Royal Australian Air Force personnel of World War II]]

Revision as of 13:17, 25 November 2013

Frank Headlam
Head-and-shoulders portrait of man in dark uniform with pilot's wings
Wing Commander Headlam, c. 1941–43
Born15 July 1914
Launceston, Tasmania
Died23 December 1976(1976-12-23) (aged 62)
Melbourne
AllegianceAustralia
Service/branchRoyal Australian Air Force
Years of service1934–71
RankAir Vice-Marshal
CommandsNo. 2 Squadron (1941–42)
North-Western Area Command (1946)
No. 90 Wing (1950–51)
RAF Tengah (1951)
Operational Command (1961–62)
No. 224 Group RAF (1962–65)
Support Command (1966–67)
Joint Services Staff, London (1968–71)
Battles/warsWorld War II
Malayan Emergency
Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation
AwardsCompanion of the Order of the Bath
Commander of the Order of the British Empire

Air Vice-Marshal Frank Headlam CB, CBE (15 July 1914 – 23 December 1976) was a senior commander in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). Born and educated in Tasmania, he joined the RAAF as an air cadet in January 1934. He specialised in flying instruction and navigation prior to the outbreak of World War II. In April 1941, he became commanding officer of No. 2 Squadron, which operated Lockheed Hudsons. The squadron deployed to Dutch Timor in December, and saw action against Japanese forces in the South West Pacific. After returning to Australia in February 1942, Headlam held staff appointments and training commands, finishing the war a group captain.

Headlam served as Officer Commanding North-Western Area in 1946, and as Director of Training from 1947 to 1950. In 1950–51, during the Malayan Emergency, he was stationed at Singapore as commander of No. 90 (Composite) Wing and, later, RAF Tengah. He twice served as acting Air Member for Personnel, in 1957 and 1959–60, receiving appointment as a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1958. Promoted air vice-marshal, he successively held the positions of Air Officer Commanding (AOC) Operational Command in 1961–62, AOC No. 224 Group RAF from 1962 to 1965 during the Indonesia–Malaysia Konfrontasi, Deputy Chief of the Air Staff in 1965–66, and AOC Support Command in 1966–67. He was appointed a Companion of the Order of the Bath in 1965. Following a posting to London as Head of the Australian Joint Services Staff from 1968 to 1971, he retired from the Air Force and died in Melbourne five years later.

Early career

Three twin-engined military monoplanes in flight
RAAF Avro Ansons in 1938; Flight Lieutenant Headlam flew a similar model around Australia on a long-distance navigation exercise in November that year

The son of farmers Malcolm and Hilda Headlam, Frank Headlam was born on 15 July 1914 in Launceston, Tasmania. He was schooled at Clemes College, Hobart, and matriculated in 1932. Against the wishes of his parents he joined the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) as an air cadet on 16 January 1934.[1][2] He underwent flying instruction with No. 1 Flying Training School (FTS) at RAAF Point Cook, Victoria, and was commissioned as a pilot officer on 1 January 1935.[3]

After completing a conversion course, Headlam was assigned to the Seaplane Squadron at Point Cook.[3][4] No larger than a flight according to the official history of the pre-war RAAF, Seaplane Squadron was part of No. 1 FTS and operated Supermarine Southampton flying boats and de Havilland Gipsy Moth floatplanes, among other types.[5] During this posting Headlam was promoted to flying officer, on 1 July, and wrote a paper on national defence in which he suggested that with "strong air forces, naval forces (including submarines), and fixed defences, Australia may be made practically invulnerable". According to Air Force historian Alan Stephens, this paper "in effect, defined the 'anti-lodgment' concept which has been a persistent feature of RAAF strategic thinking".[4][6]

Headlam completed a flying instructors course in July 1936 and joined the staff of No. 1 FTS.[3] He was promoted to flight lieutenant on 1 March 1937.[6] Commencing in July 1938, he was one of six students to take part in the RAAF's first Long Specialist Navigation Course, run by Flight Lieutenants Bill Garing and Alister Murdoch at Point Cook. The course involved several epic training flights that attracted considerable media attention, including a twelve-day, 10,800-kilometre (6,700 mi) round-Australia trip by three Avro Ansons, one of which was piloted by Headlam, in November. The following month, Headlam led the three Ansons on a six-day journey back and forth over Central Australia. He subsequently passed the navigation course with a special distinction.[7] On 27 January 1939 he was posted to RAAF Station Laverton, Victoria, as a flight commander.[1][6] He served initially with No. 2 Squadron, before transferring to No. 1 Squadron on 29 August.[6] Both units operated Ansons.[8][9]

World War II

Two men in military uniforms, one wearing a forage cap and filling out a form
Headlam (right) at Laverton in February 1940

Following the outbreak of World War II, No. 1 Squadron was engaged in convoy escort and maritime reconnaissance duties off south-eastern Australia.[9] Headlam continued to serve with the squadron as a flight commander until 15 January 1940, when he was assigned to Headquarters Laverton as the station navigation officer. On 27 March he was posted to the staff of RAAF Headquarters, Melbourne. He was promoted to squadron leader on 1 June 1940.[3][6] Two weeks later he married Katherine Bridge at St Paul's Anglican Church in Frankston; the couple would have a son and a daughter.[1]

Headlam was given command of No. 2 Squadron at Laverton on 15 April 1941, and raised to wing commander on 1 July.[3][6] Equipped with Lockheed Hudsons, the squadron mainly conducted maritime patrols in southern waters until 5 December, when four of its aircraft were ordered to Darwin, Northern Territory, in response to fears of Japanese aggression in the Pacific.[8][10] On 7 December, this detachment established itself at Penfui, near Koepang in Dutch Timor, while No. 2 Squadron's eight remaining Hudsons were stationed at Darwin on standby.[11][12] The following day, aware that Australia was now at war in the Pacific, one of the Penfui-based Hudsons attacked the Japanese pearler Nanyo Maru, which was suspected of being a radio ship, and forced it aground.[8][11] By 12 December, Headlam had transferred to Penfui as commanding officer of the base, as well as No. 2 Squadron.[11]

During January 1942, No. 2 Squadron's aircraft were dispersed at Penfui, Boeroe Island, and Darwin. The Penfui detachment attacked Japanese shipping taking part in the invasion of Celebes.[8] Two Hudsons shot down or damaged three Japanese floatplanes that attacked them as they were bombing a transport ship on 11 January; the next day both Hudsons were themselves shot down by Mitsubishi Zeros.[13] Penfui was bombed by the Japanese for the first time on 26 January 1942, and attacked regularly thereafter, damaging some aircraft. The intact Hudsons were withdrawn to Darwin but Headlam and his staff remained at Penfui to enable the base to be used by aircraft during reconnaissance missions from Australia.[8][14] On 18 February, Headlam was ordered to evacuate all his personnel except a small party to demolish the airfield with assistance from Sparrow Force.[15] He returned to Darwin the following day, just as the city experienced its first raid by the Japanese.[6][16] Four of No. 2 Squadron's Hudsons were destroyed in the attack; the remainder were relocated to Daly Waters, where they continued to carry out reconnaissance and bombing missions against Japanese targets in Timor.[8][10]

Headlam remained in Darwin as Controller of Operations at Headquarters North-Western Area until 12 May 1942, when he was posted to Nhill, Victoria, as commanding officer of No. 2 Air Navigation School, operating Ansons.[17][18] No. 97 (Reserve) Squadron was formed from the school's personnel in June.[18] On 20 July 1943, Headlam took command of No. 2 Air Observer School (AOS), also operating Ansons, at Mount Gambier, South Australia.[19] He was promoted to group captain on 1 December 1943, and was appointed commanding officer of No. 3 AOS at Port Pirie on 9 December.[6][19] After handing over command of No. 3 AOS, he commenced studies at RAAF Staff School in Mount Martha, Victoria, on 2 October 1944. He was appointed senior administrative staff officer at North-Western Area Command on 12 January 1945.[1][6]

Post-war career

Ten men in military uniforms and fatigues talking in a room
Group Captain Headlam (second from right) and Air Vice-Marshal Alan Charlesworth (standing centre), of North-Western Area Command, welcome repatriated prisoners of war to Darwin in September 1945

Headlam became Officer Commanding North-Western Area in January 1946.[1] Posted to Britain at the end of the year, he attended the Royal Air Force Staff College, Andover, and served with RAAF Overseas Headquarters, London.[3][17] On his return to Australia, in November 1947, he became Director of Training at RAAF Headquarters.[1] In November 1950, Headlam was appointed to take over command of No. 90 (Composite) Wing from Group Captain Paddy Heffernan.[20] Headquartered at RAF Changi, Singapore, No. 90 Wing controlled RAAF units operating during the Malayan Emergency: No. 1 (Bomber) Squadron, flying Avro Lincolns, and No. 38 (Transport) Squadron, flying Douglas C-47 Dakotas. The Lincolns conducted area bombing missions over communist-held territory, as well as strikes against pinpoint targets. The Dakotas were tasked with airlifting cargo, VIPs, troops and casualties, as well as supply drops to friendly forces and despatch of propaganda leaflets.[21] Headlam was slightly injured on 20 December, when a No. 38 Squadron Dakota he was co-piloting on a supply drop crash-landed at Kampong Aur in Pahang, following engine failure.[22] In August 1951 he was named commander of RAF Tengah, Singapore, in addition to his post as commanding officer of No. 90 Wing.[23] Headlam handed over command of No. 90 Wing in December 1951.[24]

On 19 February 1952, Headlam became senior air staff officer (SASO) at Eastern Area Command in Penrith, New South Wales.[6][25] During his term as SASO, the RAAF began re-equipping with English Electric Canberra jet bombers and CAC Sabre jet fighters.[25] The Air Force also underwent a major organisational change, as it transitioned from a geographically based command-and-control system to one based on function, resulting in the establishment of Home (operational), Training, and Maintenance Commands. Eastern Area Command, considered a de facto operational headquarters owing to the preponderance of combat units under its control, was reorganised as Home Command in October 1953.[26] Headlam was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 1954 New Year Honours for his "exceptional ability and devotion to duty".[27][28] He was promoted to acting air commodore in May.[3] His appointment as aide-de-camp to Queen Elizabeth II was announced on 7 October 1954.[29]

Headlam was promoted to substantive air commodore on 1 January 1955.[6] In November he was posted to RAAF Overseas Headquarters, London, and the following year undertook studies at the Imperial Defence College.[3] Returning to Australia, he served as acting Air Member for Personnel at the Department of Air, Canberra, from 19 March to 21 October 1957, between the terms of Air Vice-Marshals Fred Scherger and Allan Walters, and again from 24 August 1959 to 28 March 1960, between the terms of Walters and Air Vice-Marshal Bill Hely.[17][30] In this role Headlam occupied a seat on the Air Board, the service's controlling body that comprised its senior officers and was chaired by the Chief of the Air Staff.[1][31] He was also one of two RAAF members to serve on a committee, chaired by businessman William John Allison, examining conditions of defence service; the committee's recommendations led to a doubling of flight pay, among other improvements.[32] Headlam's other positions at the Department of Air included Air Commodore Plans from October 1957 to January 1959, and Director General Plans and Policy from January to August 1959.[3] The latter assignment put him in charge of the RAAF's Directorate of Intelligence.[33] Headlam was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 1958 Queen's Birthday Honours, gazetted on 3 June.[34] In May 1960 he became acting Deputy Chief of the Air Staff.[1]

Military helicopter with main door open, over jungle
Bell UH-1 Iroquois of No. 9 Squadron in Vietnam; Headlam planned the RAAF's initial helicopter deployment to the region while Deputy Chief of the Air Staff in 1966

On 30 January 1961, Headlam joined the staff of Operational Command (OPCOM), the successor organisation to Home Command, responsible for the direction of RAAF operational units.[6][26] He took over as Air Officer Commanding (AOC) OPCOM from Air Vice-Marshal Val Hancock in April.[3][35] Headlam was promoted to air vice-marshal on 29 May.[6] On 17 July 1962, he was posted to RAAF Base Butterworth, Malaya, and took up the appointment of AOC No. 224 Group RAF in Singapore one week later.[6][36] He was succeeded as AOC OPCOM by Air Vice-Marshal Alister Murdoch.[35] As AOC No. 224 Group, Headlam had overall responsibility for regional air defence and offensive air operations during the Brunei Rebellion in December 1962, and the subsequent Konfrontasi between Indonesia and Malaysia that officially began the following month.[1][37] Divorced from his first wife in 1956, he married widowed social worker Vernon Spence at the Sydney registry office on 20 January 1964.[1][38] He handed over No. 224 Group to Air Vice-Marshal Christopher Foxley-Norris on 30 November.[39]

Returning to Australia, Headlam became Deputy Chief of the Air Staff (DCAS) on 26 January 1965.[1][6] He was appointed a Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB) "in recognition of distinguished service in the Borneo Territories" on 22 June.[40] His tenure as DCAS coincided with the most significant rearmament program the Air Force had undertaken since World War II, and manpower shortages stemming from Australia's increasing involvement in the security of South East Asia.[41][42] The first RAAF helicopters were committed to the Vietnam War towards the end of his term, and he travelled to Saigon with the Chief of the General Staff, Lieutenant General Sir John Wilton, in March 1966 to plan the deployment.[43][44] The year before, Wilton had recommended to Air Marshal Murdoch, the Chief of the Air Staff, that two Iroquois be sent to Vietnam for familiarisation purposes; Murdoch had rebuffed Wilton, and the RAAF helicopter squadron was considered underprepared for its army co-operation role when it finally did deploy.[45] Headlam succeeded Air Vice-Marshal Douglas Candy as AOC Support Command, Melbourne, on 8 August 1966.[6][46] Support Command had been formed in 1959, by merging the RAAF's former Training and Maintenance Commands.[26] On 1 January 1968, Headlam was posted to London as Head of the Australian Joint Services Staff.[1][6] He served as an Extra Gentleman Usher to the Queen from 17 November 1970 to 5 June 1971.[47][48]

Retirement

Returning to Australia in June 1971, Headlam took resettlement leave before retiring from the Air Force on 3 August.[2][3] He made his home in Melbourne, where he died aged 62 on 23 December 1976, after a lengthy battle with cancer. Survived by his children and his second wife, he was given a private funeral and cremated at Springvale Crematorium.[1][49]

Notes

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Eaton, Brian. "Headlam, Frank (1914–1976)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. Australian National University. Retrieved on 8 July 2013. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  2. ^ a b "Headlam, Frank". World War 2 Nominal Roll. Department of Veterans' Affairs. Retrieved on 10 July 2013. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Department of Defence (1932–1971). "Headlam, Frank – Personal". pp. 141–144. Retrieved on 10 July 2013. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  4. ^ a b Stephens, Power Plus Attitude, pp. 41–42, 52
  5. ^ Coulthard-Clark, The Third Brother, pp. 127–128, 176, 420
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q Department of Defence (1947–1988). "Headlam, Frank – History". pp. 3–4. Retrieved on 10 July 2013. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  7. ^ Coulthard-Clark, The Third Brother, pp. 207–210
  8. ^ a b c d e f RAAF Historical Section, Bomber Units, pp. 8–9
  9. ^ a b Eather, Flying Squadrons, p. 19
  10. ^ a b Eather, Flying Squadrons, p. 22
  11. ^ a b c Gillison, Royal Australian Air Force, pp. 237–238, 242
  12. ^ Johnston, Whispering Death, p. 58
  13. ^ Johnston, Whispering Death, p. 113
  14. ^ Johnston, Whispering Death, pp. 118–119
  15. ^ Gillison, Royal Australian Air Force, pp. 421–422
  16. ^ Johnston, Whispering Death, pp. 119, 130–131
  17. ^ a b c "Air Vice-Marshals (A–K)". Air Marshals of the RAAF. Air Power Development Centre. Retrieved on 8 July 2013. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  18. ^ a b RAAF Historical Section, Training Units, pp. 2–3
  19. ^ a b RAAF Historical Section, Training Units, pp. 6–7
  20. ^ "New RAAF CO in Malaya". The Canberra Times. Canberra: National Library of Australia. 10 November 1950. p. 1. Retrieved on 15 April 2013. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  21. ^ Stephens, Going Solo, pp. 246–250
  22. ^ RAAF Headquarters – Directorate of Flying Safety (1 February 1951). "Crash landing of Dakota A65-66". pp. 1, 5–6. Retrieved on 10 July 2013. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  23. ^ "RAAF officer to command RAF base". The Advertiser. Adelaide: National Library of Australia. 16 August 1951. p. 1. Retrieved on 10 July 2013. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  24. ^ "New head for RAAF wing". The Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney: National Library of Australia. 4 December 1951. p. 2. Retrieved on 15 April 2013. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  25. ^ a b "Re-equipping bomber wing". The Canberra Times. Canberra: National Library of Australia. 20 May 1953. p. 4. Retrieved on 10 July 2013. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  26. ^ a b c Stephens, Going Solo, pp. 74–77
  27. ^ "No. 40054". The London Gazette (invalid |supp= (help)). 1 January 1954.
  28. ^ "State has three of nation's eight new knights". The Argus. Melbourne: National Library of Australia. 1 January 1954. p. 4. Retrieved on 10 July 2013. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  29. ^ "RAAF aides to Queen". The Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney: National Library of Australia. 8 October 1954. p. 5. Retrieved on 10 July 2013. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  30. ^ Stephens, Going Solo, pp. 499–500
  31. ^ Stephens, The Royal Australian Air Force, p. 52
  32. ^ Stephens, Going Solo, pp. 103–104
  33. ^ Department of Defence (1947–1988). "Headlam, Frank – History". p. 32. Retrieved on 10 July 2013. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  34. ^ "No. 41405". The London Gazette (invalid |supp= (help)). 3 June 1958.
  35. ^ a b Stephenson, Three Passions and a Lucky Penny, p. 92
  36. ^ "New air commander". The Straits Times. Singapore: National Library, Singapore. 23 July 1962. p. p. 7. Retrieved on 28 August 2013. {{cite news}}: |page= has extra text (help); Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  37. ^ Dennis; Grey, Emergency and Confrontation, pp. 172, 175
  38. ^ Legge, Who's Who in Australia 1971, p. 455
  39. ^ "Service aviation". Flight International: p. 268. 13 August 1964. Retrieved on 28 August 2013. {{cite journal}}: |page= has extra text (help); Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  40. ^ "No. 43690". The London Gazette (invalid |supp= (help)). 22 June 1965.
  41. ^ Department of Defence (1932–1971). "Headlam, Frank – Personal". p. 5. Retrieved on 26 September 2013. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  42. ^ Stephens, Going Solo, pp. 88–89
  43. ^ "Copters for Vietnam". The Canberra Times. Canberra: National Library of Australia. 11 March 1966. p. 9. Retrieved on 10 July 2013. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  44. ^ Coulthard-Clark, The RAAF in Vietnam, p. 130
  45. ^ Stephens, The Royal Australian Air Force, pp. 264–265
  46. ^ "Changes in RAAF posts". The Canberra Times. Canberra: National Library of Australia. 4 February 1966. p. 12. Retrieved on 10 July 2013. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  47. ^ "No. 45233". The London Gazette (invalid |supp= (help)). 17 November 1970.
  48. ^ "No. 45402". The London Gazette (invalid |supp= (help)). 5 June 1971.
  49. ^ "Air Vice-Marshal dies, 62". The Age. Melbourne. 27 December 1976. p. p. 2. {{cite news}}: |page= has extra text (help)

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Frank Headlam (RAAF officer).


Military offices
Preceded by
Air Vice-Marshal Frederick Scherger
 Air Member for Personnel
(Acting)
1957 		Succeeded by
Air Vice-Marshal Allan Walters
Preceded by
Air Vice-Marshal Allan Walters
 Air Member for Personnel
(Acting)
1959–1960 		Succeeded by
Air Vice-Marshal William Hely
Preceded by
Air Vice-Marshal Valston Hancock
 Air Officer Commanding Operational Command
1961–1962 		Succeeded by
Air Vice-Marshal Alister Murdoch

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