| Hughie Edwards | |
|---|---|
| 1 August 1914 – 5 August 1982 (aged 68) | |
 Wing Commander Hughie Edwards |
|
| Place of birth | Fremantle, Western Australia |
| Place of death | Perth, Western Australia |
| Service/branch |  Royal Air Force |
| Years of service | 1933–1963 |
| Rank | Air Commodore |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Awards | • Victoria Cross • Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George • Companion of the Order of the Bath • Distinguished Service Order • Officer of the Order of the British Empire • Distinguished Flying Cross • Venerable Order of Saint John • Mention in Despatches |
| Other work | Governor of Western Australia |
Air Commodore Sir Hughie Idwal Edwards VC, KCMG, CB, DSO, OBE, DFC, KStJ (1 August 1914 – 5 August 1982), was an Australian pilot who served with the Royal Air Force (RAF). Events 30 BC - Octavian (later known as Augustus enters Alexandria, Egypt, bringing it under the control of the Roman Year 1914 ( MCMXIV) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year Events 642 - Battle of Maserfield - Penda of Mercia defeats and kills Oswald of Bernicia. Year 1982 ( MCMLXXXII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link displays the 1982 Gregorian calendar) Fremantle (commonly known as Freo is a Port City in Western Australia, located southwest of Perth, the state capital at the mouth of Western Australia is a state occupying the entire western third of the Australian continent. Perth is the capital and largest city of the Australian state of Western Australia. Western Australia is a state occupying the entire western third of the Australian continent. Air Commodore ( Air Cdre in the RAF, AIRCDRE in the RNZAF and RAAF, A/C in the former RCAF) is a rank in World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including See below the section "Separate Commonwealth awards" Note that since The Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George is a British order of chivalry founded on 28 April 1818 by George Prince Regent (later George The Most Honourable Order of the Bath (formerly The Most Honourable Military Order of the Bath) is a British Order of chivalry founded by George The Distinguished Service Order ( DSO) is a Military decoration of the United Kingdom, and formerly of other Commonwealth countries awarded for The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British Order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by King George V. The Distinguished Flying Cross is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the United Kingdom 's Royal Air Force and other services, and formerly The Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem or Order of St John is a British -based royal order of Chivalry, and is Mentioned in Despatches (MID is a Military award for gallantry or otherwise commendable service The Governor of Western Australia is the representative in Western Australia of Australia 's Monarch Queen Elizabeth II. Western Australia is a state occupying the entire western third of the Australian continent. Air Commodore ( Air Cdre in the RAF, AIRCDRE in the RNZAF and RAAF, A/C in the former RCAF) is a rank in See below the section "Separate Commonwealth awards" Note that since The Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George is a British order of chivalry founded on 28 April 1818 by George Prince Regent (later George The Most Honourable Order of the Bath (formerly The Most Honourable Military Order of the Bath) is a British Order of chivalry founded by George The Distinguished Service Order ( DSO) is a Military decoration of the United Kingdom, and formerly of other Commonwealth countries awarded for The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British Order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by King George V. The Distinguished Flying Cross is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the United Kingdom 's Royal Air Force and other services, and formerly The Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem or Order of St John is a British -based royal order of Chivalry, and is Events 30 BC - Octavian (later known as Augustus enters Alexandria, Egypt, bringing it under the control of the Roman Year 1914 ( MCMXIV) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year Events 642 - Battle of Maserfield - Penda of Mercia defeats and kills Oswald of Bernicia. Year 1982 ( MCMLXXXII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link displays the 1982 Gregorian calendar) For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Australia topics. The most highly-decorated Australian serviceman of World War II,[1] he was later appointed Governor of Western Australia. World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including The Governor of Western Australia is the representative in Western Australia of Australia 's Monarch Queen Elizabeth II. Western Australia is a state occupying the entire western third of the Australian continent.
Contents |
Early life
Edwards was born in Fremantle, Western Australia. Fremantle (commonly known as Freo is a Port City in Western Australia, located southwest of Perth, the state capital at the mouth of Western Australia is a state occupying the entire western third of the Australian continent. After leaving school he worked for a time as a shipping office clerk before joining the Garrison Artillery as a private in 1933. In 1935 he was selected for flying training with the Royal Australian Air Force at RAAF Point Cook, after which he transferred to the RAF as a Pilot Officer. The Royal Australian Air Force ( RAAF) is the Air Force branch of the Australian Defence Force. RAAF Williams comprises the two bases of Point Cook and Laverton. Pilot Officer ( Plt Off officially in the RAF PLTOFF in the RAAF and RNZAF P/O in the former RCAF and frequently in the RAF is the lowest commissioned A serious air crash in 1938 kept him out of action until the beginning of World War II. [2]
World War II
In May 1941 Edwards was made Commanding Officer of No. 105 Squadron RAF replacing their squadron commander who had been killed in an anit-shipping raid on Stavanger. The commanding officer ( CO) is the officer in command of a Military unit. No 105 Squadron was a Royal Air Force squadron it was the first to operate the De Havilland Mosquito. On 15 June 1941 he led six Blenheim bombers on a search for enemy shipping and soon sighted a convoy of eight merchantmen anchored near The Hague. Events 763 BC - Assyrians record a Solar eclipse that will be used to fix the Chronology of Mesopotamian history Year 1941 ( MCMXLI) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (the link will display 1941 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout He launched an attack at low level, his bombs striking a 4,000 ton ship. He was subsequently awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. The Distinguished Flying Cross is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the United Kingdom 's Royal Air Force and other services, and formerly
On July 4, 1941 Edwards led a daylight attack ("operation Wreckage") against the port of Bremen, one of the most heavily-defended towns in Germany. Events 836 - Pactum Sicardi, peace between the Principality of Benevento and the Duchy of Naples Year 1941 ( MCMXLI) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (the link will display 1941 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Bremen (ˈbʁeːmən is a Hanseatic city in northwestern Germany (official name Stadtgemeinde Bremen / City Municipality of Bremen Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany ( ˈbʊndəsʁepuˌbliːk ˈdɔʏtʃlant is a Country in Central Europe. Edwards' force of twelve Blenheims attacked at a height of about 50 feet through telephone wires and high tension cables. The bombers successfully penetrated fierce anti-aircraft fire and a dense balloon barrage, but further fire over the port itself resulted in the loss of four of the attacking force. Anti-aircraft warfare, or air defense, is any method of engaging hostile military Aircraft in defence of ground objectives, ground or naval forces A barrage balloon is a large balloon tethered with metal cables used to defend against low-level attack by aircraft by damaging the aircraft on collision with the cables Edwards brought his remaining aircraft safely back, although all had been hit. His actions in the raid won him the Victoria Cross. See below the section "Separate Commonwealth awards" Note that since [2]
Later life
Edwards retired from the RAF as an Air Commodore in 1963. He was appointed Governor of Western Australia in 1974, but was forced to retire due to ill-health the following year. The Governor of Western Australia is the representative in Western Australia of Australia 's Monarch Queen Elizabeth II.
In addition to his war medals, Edwards received the OBE in 1947, was made a Companion of the Order of the Bath in 1959, and was knighted in 1974. The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British Order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by King George V. Knight is the English term for a social position originating in the Middle Ages. He was mentioned in the Guinness Book of Records for the numbers of official post-nominal letters after his name. Guinness World Records, known until 2000 as The Guinness Book of Records (and in previous U Post-nominal letters, also called " post-nominal initials " or " post-nominal titles " are letters placed after the name of a person to indicate that His knighthood involved some controversy following his wife's public comment that he was the only Australian state governor without such an honour. As knighthoods were then conferred by the Queen on the recommendation of her Federal and State governments, and the Governor was the Queen's representative in the state, this was seen as highly inappropriate, especially given the Western Australian ALP State government of the day, led by John Tonkin had a policy of not recommending conferral of Imperial Honours. John Trezise Tonkin AC (b 1902 in Boulder Western Australia - d The matter was resolved insofar as Tonkin Government left office in April 1974 and the incoming Liberal Premier, Sir Charles Court was happy to make the necessary recommendation. The Liberal Party of Australia is an Australian political party. Sir Charles Walter Michael Court, AK, KCMG, OBE, ( 29 September 1911 &ndash 22 December 2007) was a Western
Edwards died on 5 August 1982 and was buried in the Karrakatta Cemetery, Perth, after a State Funeral. Events 642 - Battle of Maserfield - Penda of Mercia defeats and kills Oswald of Bernicia. Year 1982 ( MCMLXXXII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link displays the 1982 Gregorian calendar) Perth is the capital and largest city of the Australian state of Western Australia. His Victoria Cross is on display at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra. The Australian War Memorial is Australia 's national memorial to the members of all its armed forces and supporting organisations who have died or participated Canberra ( is the capital city of Australia With a population of over 340000 it is Australia's largest inland City.
Honours and awards
Sir Hughie's honours and awards are as follows:
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- Victoria Cross
- Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George
- Companion of the Order of the Bath
- Distinguished Service Order
- Officer of the Order of the British Empire
- Distinguished Flying Cross
- Knight of the Venerable Order of Saint John
- 1939-1945 Star
- Air Crew Europe Star
- Africa Star
- Burma Star
- Defence Medal
- War Medal 1939-1945 (with an oakleaf in lieu of a Mention in Despatches)
- General Service Medal 1918-1962
- Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal
- Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal
| Government offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Major-General Sir Douglas Kendrew |
Governor of Western Australia 1974–1975 |
Succeeded by Air Chief Marshal Sir Wallace Kyle |
References
- Notes
- ^ de Mori, Caroline. See below the section "Separate Commonwealth awards" Note that since The Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George is a British order of chivalry founded on 28 April 1818 by George Prince Regent (later George The Most Honourable Order of the Bath (formerly The Most Honourable Military Order of the Bath) is a British Order of chivalry founded by George The Distinguished Service Order ( DSO) is a Military decoration of the United Kingdom, and formerly of other Commonwealth countries awarded for The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British Order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by King George V. The Distinguished Flying Cross is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the United Kingdom 's Royal Air Force and other services, and formerly The Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem or Order of St John is a British -based royal order of Chivalry, and is The 1939/45 Star was a campaign medal of the British Commonwealth, awarded for service in World War II. The Air Crew Europe Star was a campaign medal of the British Commonwealth, awarded for service in World War II. This article is about the British campaign medal For the diamond see Star of Africa. The Burma Star was a campaign medal of the British Commonwealth, awarded for service in World War II. The 1939-45 Defence Medal was a campaign medal of the British Commonwealth, awarded for service in World War II. The War Medal 1939-1945 was a British decoration awarded to those who had served in the Armed Forces and Merchant Marines full-time for at least 28 days between 3 September[[ Mentioned in Despatches (MID is a Military award for gallantry or otherwise commendable service The General Service Medal was instituted to recognise service in minor Army and Air Force operations for which no separate medal was intended The Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal was a commemorative medal made to celebrate the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. The Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal was a commemorative medal struck to celebrate the twenty-fifth anniversary of the reign of Queen Elizabeth II. Major General Sir Douglas Kendrew, KCMG, CB, CBE, DSO & Three Bars, (born Devon England 1910 died in England The Governor of Western Australia is the representative in Western Australia of Australia 's Monarch Queen Elizabeth II. Air Chief Marshal Sir Wallace Hart Kyle GCB KCVO CBE DSO DFC RAF (born 22 January 1910 "Tribute to Sir Hughie. " Air Force News, 23 May 2002 Tribute Access date: 16 June 2007
- ^ a b Sir Hughie Edwards at Australian War Memorial. Events 1430 - Siege of Compiègne: Joan of Arc is captured by the Burgundians while leading an army to relieve Compiègne See also 2002 (disambiguation Year 2002 ( MMII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1487 - Battle of Stoke Field, the last dying breath of the Wars of the Roses. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Access date: 16 June 2007. Events 1487 - Battle of Stoke Field, the last dying breath of the Wars of the Roses. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century.
- Bibliography
- Buzzell, Nora. The Register of the Victoria Cross. London: This England Press, 1997. ISBN 0-906324-27-0.
- Harvey, David. Monuments to Courage: Victoria Cross Monuments and Headstones. London: Kevin & Kay Patience, 1999, ISBN 1-84342-356-1.
- Hoyle, Arthur. Arthur Robert Hoyle (born 1922 is an Australian historian and biographer Hughie Edwards VC: The Fortunate Airman. Canberra, Australia: Mulini Press, 2001. ISBN 0-95776-810-9.
- Laffin, John. British VCs of World War 2: A Study in Heroism. Stroud, Gloucestershire, UK: Sutton Publishing Limited, 1997. ISBN 0-7509-1026-7.
External links
- Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation - Air Commodore Sir Hughie Edwards
- Wing Commander H.I. Edwards in The Art of War exhibition at the UK National Archives
- Wing Commander H.I. Edwards at 460 Squadron website
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