Ralph Cochrane
| Sir Ralph Alexander Cochrane | |
|---|---|
Air Vice Marshal Cochrane in 1943
|
|
| Born |
24 February 1895 Springfield, Fife, Scotland |
| Died | 17 December 1977 (aged 82) |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/branch |
Royal Navy (1908–20) RAF (1920–52) |
| Years of service | 1912–52 |
| Rank | Air Chief Marshal |
| Commands held |
Vice Chief of the Air Staff (1950–52) Flying Training Command (1947–50) Transport Command (1945–47) No. 5 Group (1943–45) No. 3 Group (1942–43) No. 7 Group (1940) RAF Abingdon (1939–40) Chief of the New Zealand Air Staff (1937–39) No. 8 Squadron (1929) No. 3 Squadron (1924–25) |
| Battles/wars |
First World War Second World War |
| Awards |
Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath Air Force Cross Mentioned in Despatches (4) |
| Other work | Director of Rolls Royce |
Air Chief Marshal Sir Ralph Alexander Cochrane, GBE, KCB, AFC (24 February 1895 – 17 December 1977) was a British aviator and Royal Air Force officer, perhaps best known for his role in Operation Chastise, the famous "Dambusters" raid.
Ralph Cochrane was born on 24 February 1895, the youngest son of Thomas Cochrane, 1st Baron Cochrane of Cults, in the Scottish village of Springfield. Although not certain, it is likely that he attended the Royal Naval College at Osborne in 1908. On 15 September 1912, Cochrane entered the Royal Navy proper as a midshipman.
During the First World War, Cochrane served in the Royal Naval Air Service piloting airships. He also completed a tour as a staff officer in the Admiralty's Airship Department.
In January 1920, he was removed from the Navy List and granted a commission in the Royal Air Force. Between the wars, Cochrane served in various staff positions and commanded No. 3 Squadron from 1924 before attending the RAF Staff College and commanding No. 8 Squadron from 1929. He attended the Imperial Defence College in 1935.
At the request of Group Captain T. M. Wilkes, New Zealand Director of Air Services, in 1936 Cochrane was sent to New Zealand to assist with the establishment of the Royal New Zealand Air Force as an independent service from the army. On 1 April 1937, Cochrane was appointed Chief of the Air Staff of the Royal New Zealand Air Force.
...
Wikipedia