Background
The son of Ernest (1895–1981) and Hilda (née Attwood. 1894–1957) Gingell, he was educated at Street Boniface"s Catholic College, Plymouth.
The son of Ernest (1895–1981) and Hilda (née Attwood. 1894–1957) Gingell, he was educated at Street Boniface"s Catholic College, Plymouth.
He was commissioned into the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve in April 1945. A few months later he transferred into the Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve, serving in the Fleet Air Armenian In 1951 he returned to the Royal Air Force was posted to flying duties on Number.
58 Squadron.
In 1963 he was appointed Officer Commanding Number. 27 Squadron flying Vulcan B2s equipped with Blue Steel missiles and in 1966 he became Deputy Director of the Defence Operations Staff at the Ministry of Defence. He went on to be Military Assistant to Chairman of the Military Committee at North Atlantic Treaty Organization Headquarters in 1968, Air Officer Administration at Headquarters Royal Air Force Germany in 1970 and Air Officer Commanding Number.
23 Group in 1974.
After that he became Assistant Chief of the Defence Staff (Policy) in 1975, Air Member for Personnel in 1978 and Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief at Royal Air Force Support Command in 1980. His last appointment was as Deputy Commander-in-Chief Allied Forces Central Europe in 1981 before he retired in 1984. In retirement Gingell served as Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod in the Houses of Parliament until 1992.