Leaders of the RAF , 1940 - from left to right ;- Sir Harold Gibson ; Air Chief Marshal Sir CL Courtney ; Air Marshal EL Gossage ; Capt HH Balfour MP ; Sir Archibald Sinclair ; Air Chief Marshal Sir Cyril Newall ; Air Marshal REC Pierse ; Air Marshal Sir WR Freeman ; Sir Charles Craven ; Sir Arthur Street ; Lord Nuffield ; Lieut - Colonel Sir F Shelmerdine ; Air Marshal Sir AS Barratt ; Air Chief Marshal Sir HCT Dowding ; Air Marshal CFA Portal ; Air Chief Marshal Sir FW Bowhill ; Air Vice - Marshal OT Boyd ; Air Marshal LA Pattinson ; Air Marshal WL Welsh ; Air Vice - Marshal JST Bradley .