Stanley Goble

Infobox Military Person
name= Stanley James (Jimmy) Goble
born= 21 August 1891
died= death date and age|1948|7|24|1891|8|21|df=yes
placeofbirth=Croydon, Victoria
placeofdeath=Heidelberg, Victoria


caption= Air Vice Marshal Stanley Goble in 1943
nickname=
allegiance= flagicon|Australia Commonwealth of Australia
serviceyears=1915–1946
rank= Air Vice Marshal
branch=
commands= No. 5 Squadron RNAS (1917–1918)
Chief of the Air Staff (1922–1925, 1932–1934, 1939–1940)
No. 2 Group RAF (1936–1937)
unit=No. 8 Squadron RNAS (1916–1917)
battles=World War I
World War II
awards=Commander of the Order of the British Empire
Distinguished Service Order
Distinguished Service Cross
Mentioned in Despatches (2)
Croix de guerre
laterwork=

Air Vice Marshal Stanley James (Jimmy) Goble CBE, DSO, DSC (21 August 1891 – 24 July 1948) was a senior commander in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). He served three terms as Chief of the Air Staff, alternating with Wing Commander (later Air Marshal Sir) Richard Williams. Goble came to national attention in 1924 when he and fellow RAAF pilot Ivor McIntyre became the first men to circumnavigate Australia by air, journeying some 13,500 km in a single-engined floatplane.

During World War I, Goble flew fighters on the Western Front with the British Royal Naval Air Service. He became an ace, with seven victories, and commmanded No. 5 Squadron (later No. 205 Squadron RAF). Returning to Australia, Goble assisted in the formation of the RAAF as an independent branch of the Australian armed forces. As Chief of the Air Staff at the onset of World War II, he clashed with the Federal Government over implementation of the Empire Air Training Scheme, and stepped down from the position in early 1940. He died in 1946, at the age of 56, two years after his retirement from the Air Force.

Early career

Born in Croydon, Victoria, Stanley Goble was one of four sons to an Australian father, George, and an English mother, Ann. He began his working life with the Victorian Railways at the age of 16 and by 23 was a stationmaster, as had been his father.McCarthy, "Australian Dictionary of Biography", pp.33–35] Goble was prevented from joining the Australian Imperial Force at the beginning of World War I after failing the stringent medical criteria; he wrote later that "only applicants of the finest physiques were considered suitable for the first contingent of Australian troops".Stephens, "The Royal Australian Air Force", p.10] With his three brothers already on active service, however, he decided to travel to England to enlist in the British armed forces.Stephens, "The Royal Australian Air Force", pp.39–41]

World War I

Goble was accepted for flying training with the Royal Naval Air Service in July 1915. After graduating as a Flight Sub-Lieutenant on 20 October 1915, he became a test pilot and undertook anti-submarine patrols out of Dover. Goble commenced operations with only three hours solo flying experience. Towards the end of the year he was posted across the Channel to Dunkirk, flying Caudrons and Sopwith Pups.

Quote_box
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quote="...I was detailed to carry out what was termed a fighting patrol in a twin-engined Caudron. My armament was a Very pistol and my gunner was supplied with a rifle... I discovered that my gunner had never been in the air, had never fired a rifle in his life... I had not seen a twin-engined Caudron until after dark on the previous evening and could not even obtain a map of the front... Fortunately this highly efficient fighting combination found nothing to fight."
source=Jimmy Goble on his introduction to flying operations on the Western Front, 1915 |

Goble was a founding member of No. 8 Squadron RNAS in 1916, during the Battle of the Somme, where he flew both Pups and Nieuport fighters. He earned the Distinguished Service Cross for his actions on 24 September 1916 when he engaged two enemy fighters, shooting down one of them. [LondonGazette|issue=29799|supp=yes|startpage=10362|date=24 October 1916|accessyear=2007|accessdaymonth=6 December "Flight Sub-Lieutenant Stanley James Goble, R.N.A.S.

In recognition of his services on the 24th September, 1916, when he attacked two hostile machines in the vicinity of Ghistelles at close range, and brought one of them down on fire in a spiral nose-dive."] This victory was the first 'kill' achieved by an Allied pilot flying the Pup.cite journal | last = Cardillo | first = Teena | date = 27 May 2003 | title = Aircraft’s return is in the bag | url=http://www.defence.gov.au/news/raafnews/editions/4504/history/story02.htm | journal = Air Force |accessyear=2008|accessdaymonth=11 October] Goble was promoted Flight Lieutenant on 1 October, and won the Croix de guerre later that month.

On 17 February 1917, Goble was awarded the Distinguished Service Order for his "conspicuous bravery and skill" in bringing down hostile aircraft in three separate actions while operating with No. 8 Squadron. [LondonGazette|issue=29947|startpage=1648|date=16 February 1917|accessyear=2007|accessdaymonth=6 December "Flight Lieut. Stanley James Goble, D.S.C., R.N.A.S.

For conspicuous bravery and skill in attacking, hostile aircraft on numerous occasions.

On 7th November, 1916, he attacked an enemy scout and chased it down to 1,500 feet, when it was seen to land, crash into a fence, and turn over in a field.

On 27th November, 1916, he attacked four hostile scouts, one of which he brought down in flames.

On 4th December, 1916, on six different occasions during the same flight he attacked and drove off hostile aircraft, which threatened the bombing machines, which he was escorting, one of the hostile machines going down completely out of control."] The same month, he was posted to No. 5 Squadron RNAS, which was equipped with DH.4 two-seat light bombers. Goble received rapid promotion in 1917, first to Flight Commander, [LondonGazette|issue=30156|startpage=6413|endpage=6414|date=29 June 1917|accessyear=2007|accessdaymonth=6 December] then Squadron Commander. [LondonGazette|issue=30451|supp=yes|startpage=87|endpage=88|date=28 December 1917|accessyear=2007|accessdaymonth=6 December] He led No. 5 Squadron for the rest of the year and into 1918. [Gillison, [http://www.awm.gov.au/cms_images/histories/26/chapters/01.pdf "Royal Australian Air Force 1939–1942", p.7] ] When the RNAS merged with the British Army's Royal Flying Corps on 1 April 1918, Goble became a Major in the new Royal Air Force. [LondonGazette|issue=31486|startpage=9864|endpage=9866|date=1 August 1919|accessyear=2007|accessdaymonth=6 December] He finished the war an ace, with seven victories,Cutlack, [http://www.awm.gov.au/cms_images/histories/9/chapters/00.pdf "The Australian Flying Corps", p.xxvi] ] and was twice Mentioned in Despatches.

Inter-war years

Establishment of the Royal Australian Air Force

Goble was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in the 1919 New Year Honours. [LondonGazette|issue=31098|supp=yes|startpage=92|endpage=93|date=31 December 1918|accessyear=2007|accessdaymonth=6 December] That year he returned to Australia a Lieutenant Colonel, [LondonGazette|issue=31332|startpage=5800|date=9 May 1919|accessyear=2007|accessdaymonth=6 December] seconded to the Royal Australian Navy. When a temporary Air Board was set up to examine the feasibility of an Australian Air Force (AAF), Goble was assigned as a Navy representative, with Lieutenant Colonel Richard Williams, an Australian Flying Corps veteran of World War I, acting as an Army spokesman. Upon establishment of the permanent Australian Air Board on 9 November 1920, Goble, like Williams, dropped the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and became a Wing Commander. The AAF was formed on 31 March 1921, the 'Royal' prefix being granted five months later. The Navy had nominated Goble as First Air Member (later Chief of the Air Staff), however Williams took the post and Goble became Second Air Member and Director of Personnel and Training.Stephens, "The Royal Australian Air Force", pp.26–31] [Gillison, [http://www.awm.gov.au/cms_images/histories/26/chapters/01.pdf "Royal Australian Air Force 1939–1942", pp.15–16] ]

Williams and Goble would serve as Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) three times each between 1922 and 1940. One motive suggested for the rotation was a ploy by Army and Navy interests to "curb Williams' independence".Stephens, "Going Solo", pp.20–23] Instead the arrangement "almost inevitably fostered an unproductive rivalry" between the two officers. Although in a legal sense the Air Board led the RAAF rather than the CAS alone, Williams dominated the board to such an extent that Goble would later complain that his colleague appeared to consider the Air Force his personal command. [Stephens, "The Royal Australian Air Force", pp.52–53]

Chief of the Air Staff

The rivalry between Goble and Williams was such that the Federal Government allegedly had a policy of ensuring that they were never in the country at the same time.Helson, "10 Years at the Top", p.29] Goble's first term as CAS began when Williams left Australia in December 1922 for study in England. He developed a plan to establish a small seaplane base at Rushcutters Bay in Sydney, but Williams cancelled this shortly after he returned to Australia in February 1925. [Roylance, "Air Base Richmond", p.19] Goble then departed for England to undertake study at the British Army Staff College in Camberley and RAF Staff College, Andover, as Williams had done two years before. He was made Group Captain in 1928.

Promoted temporary Air Commodore, Goble took over as CAS for the second time between December 1932 and June 1934, while Williams attended the Imperial Defence College in London. [ [http://www.airforce.gov.au/leaders/formerchiefs.htm Royal Australian Air Force leaders: Former Chiefs of the Air Force] at [http://www.airforce.gov.au/ Royal Australian Air Force] . Retrieved on 8 October 2008.] On secondment to the RAF from 1935 to 1937, Goble was attached to the British Air Ministry before serving as Air Officer Commanding No. 2 (Bomber) Group. [ [http://www-archives.chu.cam.ac.uk/perl/node?a=a;reference=CHAR%202%2F303 Public and Political: General: Air Defence: Wing Commander Anderson] at Churchill College, Cambridge. Retrieved on 30 November 2007.] On 28 February 1937, he was raised to temporary (later permanent) Air Vice Marshal. Goble succeeded Williams as Chief of the Air Staff for the last time in February 1939, when the latter was dismissed in the aftermath of the Ellington Report criticising the standards of air safety observed by the RAAF.Stephens, "The Royal Australian Air Force", pp.66–67,113–116]

Circumnavigation of Australia

The young air force was a small, closely-knit organisation comparable to a flying club; however several pioneering flights were undertaken by its members. [Stephens, "The Royal Australian Air Force", pp.36–37] One of the most notable was made by Goble and Flying Officer (later Flight Lieutenant) Ivor McIntyre in 1924, when they became the first men to circumnavigate Australia by air, in a single-engined Fairey IIID floatplane. The English-born McIntyre, who was lead pilot while Goble acted as commander and navigator, was also a World War I veteran of the Royal Naval Air Service. The purpose of the flight was to survey the northern coastline of Australia for defence planning, and to test the capabilities of the Fairey IIID.Gillison, [http://www.awm.gov.au/cms_images/histories/26/chapters/01.pdf "Royal Australian Air Force 1939–1942", p.25] ]

Goble and McIntyre took off from Point Cook on 6 April 1924 and flew convert|8450|mi|km in 44 days, in often arduous conditions. Though well-prepared with fuel stocks and spare parts pre-positioned along the intended route, they encountered storms and disease, as well as mid-air engine trouble and fuel leaks. Their journey took them anticlockwise around the continent, along the Eastern Australian coast through Sydney, Southport, Townsville and Thursday Island, crossing the Gulf of Carpentaria to Darwin, and then continuing along the coast through Broome, Carnarvon, Perth, Albany and Port Lincoln, before arriving back in Victoria. As they flew above Point Cook, twelve RAAF aircraft took to the air to escort them to their landing place at St Kilda Beach, where they were welcomed by a crowd of 10,000 people. Prime Minister Stanley Bruce called the expedition "one of the most wonderful accomplishments in the history of aviation", his government presenting Goble with a gift of ₤500, and ₤250 to McIntyre. The British Royal Aero Club awarded them the annual Britannia Trophy, and they were appointed Commanders of the Order of the British Empire in the King's Birthday Honours. [LondonGazette|issue=32941|supp=yes|startpage=4414|date=30 May 1924|accessyear=2007|accessdaymonth=6 December "The KING has been graciously pleased, on the occasion of His Majesty's Birthday, to give orders for the following promotion in, and appointment to the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, in recognition of the valuable services rendered in the recent successful seaplane flight round Australia:—

'To be Commanders of the Military Division of the said Most Excellent Order: —

Wing Commander Stanley James Goble, D.S.O., O.B.E., D.F.C., Royal Australian Air Force.Flight Lieutenant Ivor Ewing Mclntyre, A.F.C., Royal Australian Air Force."]

Though the flight is still acknowledged as one of the most important in Australian aviation, the necessity for the Air Force chief to personally command such a journey has been questioned, suggesting that this was motivated by the one-upmanship that characterised the Williams-Goble relationship. Two years later Williams would make a three-month, convert|10000|mi|km|sing=on round trip from Point Cook to the Pacific Islands, the first international flight undertaken by an RAAF plane and crew, amid similar suspicions. [Wilson, [http://www.library.unsw.edu.au/~thesis/adt-ADFA/uploads/approved/adt-ADFA20031029.102545/public/02chapter1.pdf|"The Eagle and the Albatross"] , pp.24–25]

World War II

As Chief of the Air Staff at the outbreak of World War II, Goble planned the expansion and decentralisation of the RAAF in order to meet the needs of home defence and Australia's obligations in Europe, which included the transfer of No. 10 Squadron to Britain. However his concept of an autonomous Air Expeditionary Force was abandoned by the Federal Government in favour of full commitment to the Empire Air Training Scheme, which Goble considered detrimental to local defence. He also came into conflict with his deputy, Air Commodore John Russell. These issues led to Goble tendering his resignation as CAS, which took effect in January 1940. Prime Minister Robert Menzies had in any case been looking to fill the position with a British officer and, after the interim appointment of Air Commodore William Anderson, the RAF's Air Chief Marshal Charles Burnett became CAS. Newspapers reported that Goble had resigned "on a matter of high principle" and was considering a return to Britain for service with the RAF. [Gillison, [http://www.awm.gov.au/cms_images/histories/26/chapters/03.pdf "Royal Australian Air Force 1939–1942", pp.75–77] ]

Although Goble had offered to submit his resignation from the RAAF as well as from the position of CAS, Prime Minister Menzies persuaded him to remain and take on the role of Australian Air Liaison Officer to Canada, based in Ottawa. He stayed at this post for the duration of the war and was the RAAF's representative at the Ottawa Conference in May-June 1942 that negotiated the Joint Commonwealth Air Training Plan. [Herington, [http://www.awm.gov.au/cms_images/histories/28/chapters/20.pdf "Air War Against Germany and Italy", pp.530–545] ]

Retirement and legacy

In January 1946, Goble presided over the court-martial of Australia's top-scoring fighter ace, Group Captain Clive Caldwell.Watson, "Killer Caldwell", pp.228–239] Charged with alcohol trafficking on the island of Morotai in 1945, Caldwell was found guilty and reduced to the rank of Flight Lieutenant; he left the Air Force soon after. [Stephens, "The Royal Australian Air Force", pp.123–124] Goble was himself forced into retirement in February 1946, despite being five years below the mandatory age of 60.Stephens, "The Royal Australian Air Force", p.180] The-then Chief of the Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal George Jones, in recommending Goble's dismissal, wrote that "this officer has a sound Service knowledge and an alert mind, but suffers from certain nervous characteristics which make continuous application to a task impossible". [Helson, "10 Years at the Top", p.232] Many other senior RAAF commanders who were veterans of World War I, including Richard Williams, were also retired at this time, ostensibly to make way for the advancement of younger officers.

Goble suffered from hypertensive cerebro-vascular disease and died in Heidelberg, Victoria, on 24 July 1948. He left a wife, Kathleen, and three sons. Goble Street, in Hughes, Australian Capital Territory, is named for him. [ [http://www.nhwact.com.au/files/newsletters/200805_Hughes.pdf Hughes Neighbourhood Watch Group] at [http://www.nhwact.com.au/ ACT Neighbourhood Watch Inc.] . Retrieved on 7 October 2008.] In 1994 he and Ivor McIntyre were honoured by the issue of a postage stamp by Australia Post, one of a series depicting Australian aviators that also included Freda Thompson, Lawrence Hargrave, Sir Keith and Sir Ross Macpherson Smith. [ [http://www.powerhousemuseum.com/collection/database/?irn=141099 'Aviation Feats', Australia Post] at Powerhouse Museum. Retrieved on 7 October 2008.]

Notes

References

*cite book|last=Cutlack | first=F.M.| origyear=1923|year=1941| title=The Official History of Australia in the War of 1914-1918 (11th edition): Volume VIII – The Australian Flying Corps in the Western and Eastern Theatres of War, 1914–1918 | location=Sydney| publisher=Angus & Robertson|url=http://www.awm.gov.au/histories/chapter.asp?volume=9|isbn=
*cite book|last=Gillison | first=Douglas |year=1962| title=Australia in the War of 1939-1945: Series Three (Air) Volume I – Royal Australian Air Force 1939–1942 | location=Canberra| publisher=Australian War Memorial|url=http://www.awm.gov.au/histories/chapter.asp?volume=26|isbn=
*cite paper | author = Helson, Peter | title = Ten Years at the Top | publisher = University of New South Wales | date = 2006 | url = http://www.library.unsw.edu.au/~thesis/adt-ADFA/uploads/approved/adt-ADFA20061205.162428/public/02whole.pdf
*cite book|last=Herington | first=John |year=1954| title=Australia in the War of 1939-1945: Series Three (Air) Volume III – Air War Against Germany and Italy 1939-1943 | location=Canberra| publisher=Australian War Memorial|url=http://www.awm.gov.au/histories/chapter.asp?volume=28 | isbn=
*cite book|last=McCarthy| first=John| year=1983| title=Australian Dictionary of Biography: Volume 9| chapter= [http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/biogs/A090031b.htm Goble, Stanley James (1891 - 1948)] |location=Melbourne| publisher=Melbourne University Press|isbn= |accessdate = 2007-09-21
*cite book|last=McKernan| first=Michael|year=2006| title=The Strength of a Nation| location=Crows Nest| publisher=Allen & Unwin|isbn=174114714X
*cite book|last=Odgers| first=George|year=1984| title=The Royal Australian Air Force: An Illustrated History| location=Brookvale| publisher=Child & Henry |isbn=0867773685
*cite book|last=Roylance| first=Derek|year=1991| title=Air Base Richmond| location=RAAF Base Richmond| publisher=Royal Australian Air Force|isbn=0646052128
*cite book|last=Stephens| first=Alan| year=1995| title=Going Solo: The Royal Australian Air Force 1946-1971|location=Canberra|publisher=Aust. Govt. Pub. Service|isbn=0644428031
*cite book|last=Stephens| first=Alan|origyear=2001|year=2006| title=The Royal Australian Air Force: A History| location=London| publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=0195555414
*cite book|last=Watson| first=Jeffrey|year=2005| title=Killer Caldwell| location=Sydney| publisher=Hodder|isbn=0733619290
*cite paper | author = Wilson, David | title = The Eagle and the Albatross: Australian Aerial Maritime Operations 1921–1971| publisher = University of New South Wales | date = 2003 | url = http://www.library.unsw.edu.au/~thesis/adt-ADFA/uploads/approved/adt-ADFA20031029.102545/public/

External links

* [http://australianscreen.com.au/titles/australasian-gazette-seaplane/clip1/ Australasian Gazette – A Seaplane Circles a Continent] at [http://australianscreen.com.au Australian Screen] – footage of Goble's and McIntyre's arrival at St Kilda Beach after their 1924 flight.

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Persondata
NAME = Goble, Stanley James
ALTERNATIVE NAMES = Air Vice Marshal Stanley Goble
SHORT DESCRIPTION = RAAF Chief of the Air Staff
DATE OF BIRTH = 21 August 1891
PLACE OF BIRTH = Croydon, Victoria
DATE OF DEATH = 24 July 1948
PLACE OF DEATH = Heidelberg, Victoria