David Evans (RAF officer)

Air Chief Marshal Sir David George Evans, (14 July 1924 – 21 February 2020) was a Canadian-British Royal Air Force officer.

Career
Born and educated in Canada, Evans was commissioned into the Royal Air Force as a pilot officer under an emergency commission on 7 April 1944 during the Second World War. He underwent pilot training in Canada and he then completed operational training in Ismaïlia in Egypt. On 7 October 1944, he was promoted to flying officer (war substantive). Evans was one of the first RAF officers to enter Bergen-Belsen concentration camp.

He was promoted to flight lieutenant (war substantive) on 7 April 1946. His promotion to flying officer was confirmed on 30 September 1947 with seniority from 7 April 1946. Evans was promoted to the substantive rank of flight lieutenant on 29 October 1948, with promotions to squadron leader on 1 October 1954, to wing commander on 1 July 1959 and to group captain on 1 July 1964.

He piloted the British bobsleigh team at the 1964 Olympics.

In 1973 Evans was made Air Officer Commanding No. 1 Group, in 1976 he was appointed Vice Chief of the Air Staff and he went on to be Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief RAF Strike Command the following year. He was Vice-Chief of the Defence Staff from 1981 to 1983.

Later life
In retirement, Evans became a Non-Executive Director of British Aerospace. He retained his Canadian citizenship and made many visits there. He was an honorary citizen of Winnipeg, Canada, Shreveport-Bossier City, United States, and the town of Dunnville, Ontario. He died on 21 February 2020.

Awards and decorations
On 9 June 1955, Squadron Leader Evans was awarded the Queen's Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air.

In 1985 he was made King of Arms of the Order of the Bath.