Hughie Edwards

Infobox_Governor
honorific-prefix=
name=Sir Hughie Idwal Edwards
honorific-suffix=

200px
caption=Wing Commander Hughie Edwards
order=23rd
office=Governor of Western Australia
term_start=7 January 1974
term_end= 2 April 1975
predecessor=Sir Douglas Kendrew
successor = Sir Wallace Kyle
birth_date= 1 August 1914
birth_place= Fremantle, Western Australia
death_date=Death date and age|1982|8|5|1914|8|1|df=yes
death_place=Sydney, New South Wales
Infobox Military Person
allegiance=British Empire
serviceyears=1933–1963
rank= Air Commodore
branch= air force|United Kingdom
commands=
unit=
battles=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
• Mentioned in Despatches

Air Commodore Sir Hughie Idwal Edwards VC, KCMG, CB, DSO, OBE, DFC (1 August 1914 – 5 August 1982), was an Australian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest honour for valour "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, 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. [cite web|url=http://www.defence.gov.au/news/raafnews/editions/4409/story08.htm|title=Tribute to Sir Hughie.|accessdaymonth=16 June|accessyear=2007|author=Caroline de Mori|publisher=Air Force News]

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 Royal Air Force. Serving with the RAF throughout World War II, 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 made Governor of Western Australia in 1974.

Early life and career

Edwards was born in Fremantle, Western Australia on 1 August 1914, the third of five children to Welsh parents Hugh, a blacksmith, and Jane, neé Watkins, who had emmigrated to Australia in 1909. [Harvnb|Hoyle|2000|p=1–2] Educated at White Gum Valley School and the Fremantle Boy's School,Harvnb|Staunton|2005|p=227] he was initially employed as a shipping office clerk before joining the Fremantle Garrison Artillery as a private in 1934. 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, being granted a short service commission as a Pilot Officer. [LondonGazette|issue=34323|startpage=5940|date=15 September 1936|accessdaymonth=9 July|accessyear=2008] Posted to No. 15 Bomber Squadron, he was appointed adjutant of No. 90 Squadron in March 1937, flying Blenheim bombers.

In August 1938, Edwards was piloting a Blenheim near the Scottish border when he flew into a storm at 2,300 metres. When the ailerons froze, the aircraft was forced down to 1,600 metres and Edwards ordered the navigator and rear gunner to bale out of the aircraft. Down to 230 metres, he made an effort to jump clear, but his parachute became entangled with the bomber's radio mast pylon. In the ensuing crash, he sustained head injuries and a badly broken leg, which was only saved after extensive surgery. Due to the accident, he was declared unfit for flying duties until April 1940, when he was posted to No. 139 Squadron for active service due to the outbreak of war.

Second World War

In May 1941, Edwards was made Commanding Officer of No. 105 Squadron replacing their squadron commander who had been killed in an anti-shipping raid on Stavanger. At that time, the Squadron was engaged in a series of daylight operations against Germany and the occupied countries, with its principal targets being enemy shipping, power installiations, shipbuilding yards, locomotives, steelworks and marshalling yards. On 15 June, Edwards led six Blenheim bombers on a search for enemy shipping and soon sighted a convoy of eight merchantmen anchored near The Hague. He launched an attack at low level, his bombs striking a 4,000 ton ship. He was subsequently awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) for this action. [LondonGazette|issue=35208|startpage=3824|date=4 July 1941|accessdaymonth=9 July|accessyear=2008]

On 4 July 1941, Edwards led a daylight attack ("Operation Wreckage") against the port of Bremen, one of the most heavily-defended towns in Germany. Edwards' force of twelve Blenheims attacked at a height of about 50 feet through telephone wires and high voltage power lines. 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. Edwards brought his remaining aircraft safely back, although all had been hit. His actions in the raid earned him the Victoria Cross (VC).cite web|url=http://www.awm.gov.au/fiftyaustralians/17.asp|title=Fifty Australians: Sir Hughie Edwards|accessdaymonth=16 June|accessyear=2008|publisher=Australian War Memorial]

The full citation for Edwards' Victoria Cross appeared in the London Gazette on 22 July 1941, it read: [LondonGazette|issue=35225|startpage=4213|endpage=4214|date=22 July 1941|accessdaymonth=9 July|accessyear=2008]

quote|"Air Ministry, 22nd July, 1941."

ROYAL AIR FORCE

The KING has been graciously pleased to confer the Victoria Cross on the undermentioned officer in recognition of most conspicuous bravery:—

Acting Wing Commander Hughie Idwal Edwards, D.F.C. (39005), No 105. Squadron.

Wing Commander Edwards, although handicapped by a physical disability resulting from a flying accident, has repeatedly displayed gallantry of the highest order in pressing home bombing attacks from very low heights against strongly defended objectives.

On 4th July, 1941, he led an important attack on the Port of Bremen, one of the most heavily defended towns in Germany. This attack had to be made in daylight and there were no clouds to afford concealment. During the approach to the German coast several enemy ships were sighted and Wing Commander Edwards knew that his aircraft would be reported and that the defences would be in a state of readiness. Undaunted by this misfortune he brought his formation 50 miles overland to the target, flying at a height of little more than 50 feet, passingunder high-tension cables, carrying away telegraph wires and finally passing througha formidable balloon barrage. On reaching Bremen he was met with a hail of fire, all his aircraft being hit and four of them being destroyed. Nevertheless he made a most successful attack, and then with the greatest skill and coolness withdrew the surviving aircraft without further loss.

Throughout the execution of this operation which he had planned personally with full knowledge of the risks entailed, Wing Commander Edwards displayed the highest possible standard of gallantry and determination.

In July 1941, Edwards took the Squadron to Malta, in order to conduct operations against Axis shipping carrying reinforcements from Italy to Tripoli and Benghazi. The unit remained in the area until October, when they returned to Britain. Participating in a goodwill mission to the United States of America, he was appointed chief flying instructor at an operational training unit in January 1942, before re-assuming command of No. 105 Squadron on 3 August. During this time, Edwards married Cherry Kyrle "Pat" Beresford; the pair were later to have a son, Anthony, and a daughter, Sarah. [cite web|url=http://www.defence.gov.au/news/raafnews/editions/2001/4308/story13.htm|title=Commemoration ceremony for Air Force heroes|accessdaymonth=25 August|accessyear=2008|author=Ken Llewelyn|publisher=Air Force News]

On 6 December 1942, Edwards participated in a daylight bombing raid on the Philips Factory at Eindhoven, the Netherlands. Despite heavy opposition, the bombers successfully damaged or destroyed many of their targets, with two gun posts being silenced. Several members of the raid were decorated, including Edwards, who was awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO); [LondonGazette|issue=35855|startpage=215|date=5 January 1943|accessdaymonth=9 July|accessyear=2008] becoming the first airman to receive the Victoria Cross, Distinguished Service Order and Distinguished Flying Cross in the Second World War.Harvnb|Staunton|2005|p=228] Promoted to Group Captain, he assumed command of the bomber station at Binbrook in February 1943, where, despite his senior position, he continued to participate in operations.cite web|url=http://www.rafweb.org/Biographies/Edwards_HI.htm|title=Air Commodore H I Edwards|accessdaymonth=18 August|accessyear=2008|publisher=Air of Authority]

With the end of the European campaigns in sight, Edwards was transferred to the Pacific theatre, first to Ceylon as Group Captain, Bomber Operations. In January 1945, he became the senior administrative staff officer at Headquarters, South-East Asia Command; serving in this position until the conclusion of the war.

Later career

Edwards continued his career in the post-war RAF, and was granted the substantive rank of Squadron Leader from 1 September 1945. [LondonGazette|issue=37518|startpage=1625|supp=yes|date=29 March 1946|accessdaymonth=9 July|accessyear=2008] Posted as a staff officer at Air Headquarters, Malaya, from November 1945 until February 1946, he served with the Netherlands East Indies Forces for a short period before returning to Malaya as air adviser to the General Officer Commanding. In September 1945, he was posted as station commander at the RAF Base in Kuala Lumpur; he remained there until May 1947, and was awarded an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his services in south-east Asia. [LondonGazette|issue=37878|startpage=701|supp=yes|date=7 February 1947|accessdaymonth=9 July|accessyear=2008]

Returning to Britain in June 1947, he undertook a six month course at the Staff College, before receiving a two year posting as senior personnel staff officer of No. 21 Group, Flying Training Command. His next posting was as the senior instructor on the leadership course at Digby, Lincolnshire, before becoming station commander at Wattisham, Suffolk. During the Suez Crisis, Edwards commanded the RAF Station at Habbaniyah in Iraq, before returning to Britain on 21 October 1958 to command the Central Fighter Establishment, West Raynham, with the rank of acting air commodore.

Awarded a Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB) in the 1959 New Year Honours, [LondonGazette|issue=41589|startpage=3|supp=yes|30 December 1958|accessdaymonth=9 July|accessyear=2008] he was promoted to the substansive rank air commodore, and appointed as an Aide-de-Camp to Queen Elizabeth II in March 1960. His final appointment with the RAF was as Director of Establishments at the Air Ministry, London, from January 1962 until his retirement on 30 September 1963.

Later life and governorship

Returning to Australia, Edwards became the Australian Representative for Selection Trust. In 1966 his wife, Cherry, died and in 1972 he married Dorothy Carew Berrick. The pair were said to complement each other well, as Dorothy limped on her left leg after being knocked over by a car on a crosswalk in Sydney in 1970, while Edwards limped with his right after his flying accident in 1938.cite web|url=http://www.ccentre.wa.gov.au/index.cfm?event=governorsHughieedwards|title=Air Commodore Sir Hughie Idwal Edwards 1974-1975|accessdaymonth=25 August|accessyear=2008|publisher=The Constitutional Centre of Western Australia] In 1974, Edwards relinquished his position as the Australian Representative for Selection Trust and was appointed as Governor of Western Australia. He was sworn in on 7 January 1974, [LondonGazette|issue=46195|startpage=1207|date=29 January 1974|accessdaymonth=9 July|accessyear=2008] and knighted as a Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (KCMG) the following October. [LondonGazette|issue=46366|startpage=8536|date=8 October 1974|accessdaymonth=9 July|accessyear=2008]

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 Imperial Honours. However, the Tonkin Government was defeated in April 1974 and the incoming Liberal Premier, Sir Charles Court, was happy to make the necessary recommendation. [Harvnb |Hoyle|2000|p=199]

While Governor, Edwards' first official role was to christen Alan Bond's America Cup challenger, "Southern Cross", while one of the couple's first visitors to the Governor's estate was a man by the name of Thomas Dunhill, who had consumed ten beers and wanted to see the house. Lady Edwards apparently found him in the pantry; he was arrested by the police but no charges were laid. Ill health forced Edwards to resign from his vice-regal appointment on 2 April 1975, and he and Lady Edwards went to live in Sydney, where he continued in semi-retirement with commercial interests.

On 5 August 1982, while on his way to attend a test match at the Sydney Cricket Ground, Edwards unexpectedly collapsed and died; he was buried in the Karrakatta Cemetery, Perth, after a State Funeral. His Victoria Cross is on display at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra, [cite web|url=http://www.awm.gov.au/virtualtour/valour.asp|title=Victoria Crosses held at the Memorial|accessdaymonth=13 August|accessyear=2008|publisher=Australian War Memorial] and on 26 November 2002 a life size bronze statue depicting Edwards was unveiled by then Governor of Western Australia, John Sanderson, in Kings Square, Fremantle. [cite web|url=http://www.publicartaroundtheworld.com/Hughie_Edwards_statue.html|title=Hughie Edwards statue|accessdaymonth=20 August|accessyear=2008|publisher=Public Art Around the World]

Notes

References

*Citation|last=Hoyle|first=Arthur|year=2000|title=Hughie Edwards VC: The Fortunate Airman|publication-place=Riverwood, New South Wales, Australia|publisher=Mulini Press|isbn=0-95776-810-9
*Citation|last=Staunton|first=Anthony|year=2005|title=Victoria Cross: Australia's Finest and the Battles They Fought|publication-place=Prahran, Victoria, Australia|publisher=Hardie Grant Books|isbn=1-74066-288-1

External links

* [http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/theartofwar/valgal/valour/INF3_0432.htm Wing Commander H.I. Edwards] in "The Art of War" exhibition at the UK National Archives
* [http://users.tpg.com.au/adsls7ld/edwards.html Wing Commander H.I. Edwards] at 460 Squadron website
* [http://www.diggerhistory.info/pages-vc/edwards-vc.htm Group Captain H I Edwards VC] - Digger History