Air Officer Commanding, No. 13 Group
Air Vice Marshal Richard Ernest Saul D.F.C.

During World War One Saul served in the Royal Flying Corps as an observer on RE8 and BE2 aircraft. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (D.F.C.). Throughout the 1920’s he represented the RAF in rugby and hockey, along with winning the RAF tennis championship and was regarded as one of the great all round sportsmen of the Royal Air Force.

In the 1930's he helped organise the structure of Fighter Command into an effective fighting force and was duly appointed Senior Air Staff Officer at Fighter Command Headquarters before eventually becoming the commander of No: 13 Group. During the Battle of Britain, he was responsible for the aircraft and sector stations defending the North of England, Scotland and strategically important targets like the major Naval base at Scapa Flow, Orkney.