Ernest Fawcus flight lieutenant to squadron leader. On 1 July 1935, Fawcus was promoted from squadron leader to wing commander. On 10 January 1940, he was placed on the retired list of officers. At this time he held the rank of group captain. Fawcus made his debut for Buckinghamshire against the Kent Second XI in 1925. He played Minor counties cricket for Buckinghamshire from 1925 to 1928, making twenty appearances. He made his first-class debut for the Royal Air Force against the Royal Navy in 1927. He made four further first-class appearances for the Royal Air Force, the last of which came
Squadron leader RAF used major as the equivalent rank to squadron leader. Royal Naval Air Service lieutenant-commanders and Royal Flying Corps majors on 31 March 1918 became RAF majors on 1 April 1918. On 31 August 1919, the RAF rank of major was superseded by squadron leader which has remained in continuous usage ever since. Promotion to squadron leader is strictly on merit, and requires the individual to be appointed to a Career Commission, which will see them remain in the RAF until retirement or voluntary resignation. Before the Second World War, a squadron leader commanded a squadron of aircraft. Today, however,