L P Coombes

Brief description

Lawrence Coombes was the first Chief Superintendent of the Aeronautical Research Laboratories firstly under CSIR 1938-1948 and then under the Department of Supply 1949-1964. During part of 1919 he was a pilot with Sir Charles Kingsford-Smith.

Full description

Born 9 April 1899. Died 3 June 1988. CBE 1964, DFC ca 1918. Educated City and Guilds Engineering College, London (BScEng). Royal Navy Air Services and Royal Air Force 1917-19, C.A.Parsons & Co., Newcastle-on-Tyne 1920-24, Scientific Officer, Aerodynamics Department, Royal Aircraft Establishment 1924-25, first scientific officer, Marine Aircraft Experimental Establishment, Felixstowe 1925-30, in charge of Seaplane Tank, Royal Aircraft Establishment 1930-38, Chief, Division of Aeronautics, CSIR 1938-48, Chief Superintendent, Aeronautical Research Laboratory, Department of Supply, Melbourne 1949-64. Lawrence Hargrave Memorial Medal 1957, Kingsford-Smith Memorial Medal 1962, Kernot Memorial Medal 1968.