“COBBER” KAIN

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVIII, Issue 21677, 11 June 1940, Page 4

“COBBER” KAIN

Prime Minister Pays A Tribute Deeds An Inspiration To All Airmen By Telegraph—Press Association WELLINGTON. June 10. The Prime Minister, the Hon. P. Fraser, paying a tribute to the late “Cobber” Kain, said:— “I am sure that the death of the young New Zealand flying officer, Edgar James Kain, D.F.C., caused the deepest sorrow throughout the length and breadth of this Dominion and that universal and heartfelt sympathy will be extended to his bereaved parents and other relatives. That sympathy, too, will be offered in full measure to the parents and relatives of all our brave men who have made the supreme sacrifice. “We have all followed Flying Officer Kain’s brilliant and daring exploits in the Royal Air Force with intense pride. His record against the enemy ranks with the best individual achievements of the Royal Air Force. This young New Zealander has indeed set a record which will inspire his fellowcountrymen now in the Air Force and all those who are waiting to go to the battlefront to take their place beside our lads who are already there—heroes every one of them—fighting with all the dash, vigour and endurance which have made the Royal Ah- Force the finest air force in the world to-day. “New Zealanders will unite in paying a heartfelt tribute to the memory of Flying Officer Kain and to those other brave young men who have fought and died that their homeland may survive and, in full security, resume its ways of peace when the final victory has been achieved.” Regarded as the first air ace of the present war, Flying Officer Kain had had a brilliant career in the Royal Air Force, even though, strangely enough, he was at first rejected for the service. Up to May 29 his tally of German ’planes was reported to be more than 40 .and there is no doubt that he would have increased this total in the intervening days. Early in April the King awarded him the Distinguished Flying Cross. Daring Exploits Only 22 years of age, “Cobber” Kain was born at Hastings and was engaged in business in Wellington before leaving for England to enter the Royal Air Force. He was rejected at first, but succeeded in entering on his second attempt. He was promoted to the rank of flying officer last year. He served with conspicuous gallantry in France and on February 20 he was mentioned in despatches. His exploits in the air were followed with interest throughout the world. On one occasion, after engaging and destroying enemy ■planes, his own fighter collapsed in mid-air and he succeeded in landing by parachute in No Man's Land with shrapnel wounds in his leg and hand. Nevertheless, he was up and about next day. Described as being daring yet not reckless, “Cobber” Kain was the hero of many air battles, but he was extremely modest. His popularity with his fellow pilots was indicated by the nickname they bestowed upon him. Red-haired and cheerful, he was wellknown in the R.A.F.. and when he returned to England on leave he was given a warm welcome. “Cobber” always carried a lucky Maori mascot with him on all his flights. It was the irony of war that the brilliant young pilot should be killed in an accident after his audacious and successful attacks on so many enemy aircraft. Marriage Arranged Flying Officer Kain’s engagement was announced last month to Miss Joyce Phillips, a young actress whom he met through an Australian friend. In April last, during brief leave, he was taken to Chester by this friend, and the two young people became instantly attracted to each other. The engagement was officially announced last month when “Cobber” was on leave, and Miss Phillips was appearing at Peterborough in “The Importance of Being Ernest.” The wedding was to have taken place in July, when Flying Officer Kain expected his next leave. The last available news of “Cobber” Kain, who is reported killed in action, was on May 27 when his bag of German aeroplanes exceeded 40, says a London message. A message from Sydney states that the report of Flying Officer Kain’s death is given prominence in the daily press and has caused widespread expressions of sorrow. Military and avaition authorities declare that Flying Officer Kain was the type of airman the Empire could ill-afford to lose.