Commander of the Order of the Bath in the 1966 Birthday Honours and been promoted to air marshal on 1 July 1966, Spotswood became Commander-in-Chief RAF Strike Command on 26 August 1968. He was promoted to air chief marshal on 1 November 1968, and appointed Air Aide-de-Camp to the Queen on 7 July 1970. Advanced to Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath in the 1971 New Year Honours, he became Chief of the Air Staff on 1 April 1971. As Chief of the Air Staff he had a major role in implementing the defence savings demanded by the Heath Government in the face of economic difficulties at the time. Spotswood presented Prince Charles with his 'wings' at the end of his flying training in August 1971. Spotswood was promoted to Marshal of the Royal Air Force on 31 March 1974 and retired on the same day. Later life In retirement Spotswood became Deputy Chairman of Rolls-Royce, a Director of Dowty Group and then a Director of Smiths Industries. He also became Chairman of the Trustees of the RAF Museum and of the Royal Star and Garter Home. He died of cancer at Thamesfield Care Home in Henley-on-Thames on 11 November 2001. Personal life In July 1942 he married Margaret Ann Child; they had one son. His interests included golf and gardening. References Sources |- |- 1916 births 2001 deaths Chiefs of the Air Staff (United Kingdom) Commanders of the Order of the British Empire Companions of the Distinguished Service Order Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath Marshals of the Royal Air Force Recipients of the Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom) Officers of the Legion of Merit Fellows of the Royal Aeronautical Society Royal Air Force personnel of World War II Rolls-Royce people People educated at Kingston Grammar School Commandants of the Royal Air Force College Cranwell People from Lewisham Military personnel from London