Air Commodore Colin Simpson Cadell


1905 - 1996

Aviator and electrical engineer. Born in Colinton (Edinburgh) and educated at Merchiston Castle School and the University of Edinburgh, Cadell gained a commission in the Royal Air Force in 1926 and completed his engineering education in Paris (1933). He saw service in Egypt 1933-36, acting as aide-de-camp for the British Ambassador to Egypt and High Commissioner for the Sudan. As World War II approached, Cadell joined the Air Ministry working in communications, counter-measures and signals. He was involved in the development of RADAR, signal interception and intelligence, including involvement with Enigma decoding at Bletchley Park. He rose to become Director of Telecommunications and of Signals in the Air Ministry (1944) and was awarded a CBE in the same year.

Retiring from the RAF in 1947, Cadell entered the business world, including acting as a Director of the Royal Bank of Scotland. He also served as Deputy Lieutenant of Linlithgowshire (1963-72) and of West Lothian, (1972-88), and as a member of the Royal Company of Archers (the Queen's ceremonial bodyguard in Scotland). He died in Edinburgh.


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