the war commanding No. 1335 Jet Conversion Unit, the first jet unit in the RAF. Post-war career For many years after the war Bird-Wilson held a variety of posts in the Central Flying Establishment. In 1946 he was given command of the air fighting development squadron. In 1948 he moved to Middle East operations, becoming personal staff officer to Air Chief Marshal Sir John Baker, Middle East Air Force Commander-in-Chief in 1949. In 1954, he joined the British Joint Services Mission in Washington, D.C. He returned to be Station Commander at RAF Coltishall from June 1959 to November 1961, then held a post at the Air Ministry from 1961 to 1963; before two years commanding the Central Flying School; and a further two years as air officer commanding Hong Kong, 1965–1967. In 1967 he took up a post at the Ministry of Technology. From 1970 to March 1973, his penultimate posting was commanding No. 23 Group RAF in RAF Training Command, responsible for flying training. Finally, he commanded the Southern Maritime Air Region (No. 18 Group RAF, Strike Command) until 1 June 1974, when he retired at his own request. He died in 2000. Family Bird-Wilson married Audrey Alma Wallace (b. 27 May 1923) in 1942. They had a son, Robert, in 1943 and a daughter, Carol, in 1945. Audrey died in 1991. He was remarried, to Margaret McGillivray Butler, in 1994. Notes 1919 births 2000 deaths British World War II flying aces Commanders of the Order of the British Empire Companions of the Distinguished Service Order People educated at Liverpool College Recipients of the Air Force Cross (United Kingdom) Recipients of the Airman's Cross Recipients of the Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom) Royal Air Force air marshals Welsh military personnel The Few Members of the Guinea Pig Club People from Prestatyn