Sir Hughie Edwards | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 23rd Governor of Western Australia | |
| In office 7 January 1974 – 2 April 1975 | |
| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Premier | John Tonkin Sir Charles Court |
| Preceded by | Sir Douglas Kendrew |
| Succeeded by | Sir Wallace Kyle |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1 August 1914 Fremantle, Western Australia |
| Died | 5 August 1982 (aged 68) Sydney, New South Wales |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | Australia (1934–1936) United Kingdom (1936–1963) |
| Branch/service | Australian Army (1934–1935) Royal Australian Air Force (1935–1936) Royal Air Force (1936–1963) |
| Years of service | 1934–1963 |
| Rank | Air Commodore |
| Commands | RAF Habbaniya RAF Wattisham RAF Kuala Lumpur RAF Binbrook No. 105 Squadron |
| Battles/wars | |
| 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 Knight of the Order of St John Mention in Despatches |
Air Commodore Sir Hughie Idwal Edwards, VC, KCMG, CB, DSO, OBE, DFC (1 August 1914 – 5 August 1982) was a senior officer in the Royal Air Force, Governor of Western Australia, and an Australian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest decoration for gallantry "in the face of the enemy" that can be awarded to members of the British and Commonwealth armed forces. Serving as a bomber pilot in the Royal Air Force (RAF), Edwards was decorated with the Victoria Cross in 1941 for his efforts in leading a bombing raid against the port of Bremen, one of the most heavily defended towns in Germany. He became the most highly decorated Australian serviceman of the Second World War.[1]
Born in Fremantle, Western Australia, Edwards joined the Royal Australian Air Force in 1935, and a year later was granted a short service commission with the RAF. Serving throughout the Second World War, he gained a permanent commission and continued his career in the RAF after the war; he retired in 1963 with the rank of air commodore. Returning to Australia, he was appointed Governor of Western Australia in 1974.
- ^ Caroline de Mori. "Tribute to Sir Hughie". Air Force News. Royal Australian Air Force. Archived from the original on 31 August 2007. Retrieved 16 June 2007.