Air Vice-Marshal Sir John de Milt Severne, born on August 15, 1925 and died October 4, 2015.
Sir John was a senior Royal Air Force officer and aerobatic display pilot.
Senior appointments included Commanding Officer of RAF Kinloss, Commandant of the Central Flying School, Air Officer Commanding the Southern Maritime Air Region, and Captain of the Queen’s Flight.
In 1960, he won the King’s Cup Race and the British air racing championship.
On 1 March 1955, Severne was awarded the Air Force Cross (AFC) “in recognition of gallantry and devotion to duty”.
In the 1968 New Year Honours, Severne was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE).
This was in recognition of his role in the withdrawal of British forces from Aden in 1967.
On 15 December 1988, Sir John was appointed a Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (KCVO) for his service as Captain of the Queen’s Flight.
On 17 May 1991, Sir John was appointed a Deputy Lieutenant (DL) of the County of Somerset.
Other medals awarded to Severne were the War Medal 1939 to 1945, the General Service Medal with South Arabia clasp, the Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal and the Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal.
Sir John died at age 90 on October 4, 2015.