Breakey was born in
Sheffield, England.
First World War On 3 June 1917 he was appointed a probationary temporary flight officer in
Royal Naval Air Service (on the same day as
Frederick Britnell). On 10 October 1917 he was made a
flight sub-lieutenant, and in November 1917 joined No. 3 Squadron RNAS flying the
Sopwith Camel. On 1 April 1918 the Royal Naval Air Service and Royal Flying Corps were amalgamated into the Royal Air Force, and No. 3 Squadron RNAS became
No. 203 Squadron RAF, and Breakey was promoted to lieutenant. while serving as a
flight commander in 203 Squadron. On 12 July 1920 he was awarded a bar to his Distinguished Flying Cross for his service in South Russia. From 1 February 1921 Breakey served as a
test pilot at the
Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment, and on 15 September was posted to the Inland Area Aircraft Depot,
RAF Henlow. On 1 February 1929 he was reassigned to
No. 204 Squadron, a flying boat squadron, flying the
Supermarine Southampton, based at
RAF Mount Batten. He was transferred to
No. 205 Squadron, based at
Singapore, on 7 January 1930, and from 16 May 1931 served on the staff of RAF Singapore. From 3 April 1933 he was a Supernumerary officer at the RAF Depot. and from 3 April 1934 served on the staff of the
Marine & Armament Experimental Establishment (M&AEE). and was appointed to command of
No. 201 Squadron, based at
RAF Calshot, flying the Southampton II, and later the
Saro London. and on 4 October was appointed the Directorate of Intelligence at the
Air Ministry. On 1 July 1938 he was promoted to wing commander.
Second World War Between July 1940 and July 1941 he served in the Directorate of Operational Requirements, In May 1941 he was appointed acting air commodore, and served as Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Technical Requirements). with the permanent rank of group captain from 1 December 1943. On 1 January 1944 he was made a
Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB), and was granted the rank of war substantive air commodore on 20 April. ==Postwar career==