ARRIVAL AT OHAKEA

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXV, Issue 227, 24 August 1945, Page 5

ARRIVAL AT OHAKEA

TRANSPORT COMMAND HEAD. (Press Assn.) WELLINGTON, Aug. 23 Air-Marshal the Hon. Sir Ralph Cochrane, Air Officer Commanding, R.A.F. Transport Command, arrived at Ohakea this afternoon from Sydney oil Transport Command business.

Sir Ralph was New Zealand’s first Chief of Air Staff and played an important part in the development of the R.N.Z.A.F. He came to New Zealand by arrangement between the New Zealand and British Governments in 193 G to advise on air defence, and his recommendations were the basis of the Air Force Act, 1937, and the Air Department Act, passed the same year. He has had a most distinguished career. He transferred from the Royal Navy to the Royal Flying Corps during the last war and was commissioned in the Royal Air Force. Part of his service was in airships, and his service after the war took him to Egypt, Palestine, Irak and Aden. He reached the' rank of Wing-Commander in 1933. In the present war his duties included the post of Director of Flying Training at the Air Ministry, London, and the command of various bomber groups. He was mentioned in despatches in 1942. Early this year ho succeeded Air Chief Marshal Sir Frederick Bowhill as Air Officer Commanding, Transport Command.