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
Group captain rank titles, it was suggested that the RAF might use the Royal Navy's officer ranks, with the word "air" inserted before the naval rank title. For example, the rank that later became group captain would have been "air captain". Although the Admiralty objected to this simple modification of their rank titles, it was agreed that the RAF might base many of its officer rank titles on naval officer ranks with differing pre-modifying terms. It was also suggested that RAF colonels might be entitled "bannerets" or "leaders". However, the rank title based on the Navy rank was preferred and as RAF