James Easton

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Person.png James EastonRdf-entity.pngRdf-icon.png
(spook, pilot)
Born11 Feb 1908
Died19 Oct 1990 (Age 82)
An RAF pilot who joined MI6 and after 2 years became director general.

Background

James Alfred Easton graduated from Cranwell, where he had represented the College at Soccer and attained the rank of Flt Cdt Cpl, he joined No 101 Squadron flying DH9A's. The squadron soon re-equipped with the new Boulton Paul Sidestrand before he moved to India and 31 Squadron equipped with Bristol F2B's and later Wapiti's. Returning to Britain, he attended the Armament Officer's course which was followed by a series of appointments as an Armament officer. In 1937, he was posted to Canada as Armament Liaison Officer and three years later acted as an adviser to the Department of National Defence.

1943 saw his appointment as Director of Intelligence (Research) and it was here that he began to make a name for himself in intelligence circles. This post brought him into close contact with people such as Dr R V Jones and external agencies including SOE and MI6. He was heavily involved in the analysis of German technical developments, including the V1 and V2 as well as clandestine operations by RAF aircraft in support of SOE.

MI6 Deputy Chief

Easton retired on 12 Feb 1949 to join MI6 and was appointed to Deputy Chief of the SIS in 1951. Although promised he would become Chief of the SIS, this did not happen and he quit in 1958.[1][2] By 1958 he had quit.[3]

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References


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