Homer Powell Cochrane

Cocky [left] and his wife Olive at Buckingham Palace to recieve his investiture
Cockrane [left] and his wife Olive at Buckingham Palace to receive his investiture

RAF   S/L  -  DFC,  MiD

Specifically listed in AFRO 1292/41 dated 7 November 1941 as a Canadian in the RAF who had been decorated as of that date. No published citation to DFC other than "for gallantry and devotion to duty in the execution of air operations". Public Record Office Air 2/8899 has recommendation

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Son of A. O. Cochrane and Helen Cochrane, of Vancouver
Born in Vernon, British Columbia, 1914;
And educated there.
Appointed Acting PO on Probation in RAF, 28 August 1938
Posted to No.112 Squadron, Egypt, July 1939,
Serving with that unit throughout the early North African &
Greek campaigns to November 1941
  - (Commanding Officer as of 13 October 1941).
Confirmed in rank of Flight Lieutenant, 3 September 1941.
Posted to No.204 Group on conclusion of tour;
Attached to Turkish Air Force, November 1941 to Nov. 1942
Second tour with No.238 Squadron, Dec. 1942 to Aug. 1943
This tour included an attack on Crete, 23 July 1943,
  - when his aircraft was heavily damaged by flak.
Posted to Britain, he served in Air Ministry to April 1945,
Ferry Command and
No.525 Squadron thereafter.
Released 19 November 1946.

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COCHRANE, F/L Homer Powell (40991) - Distinguished Flying Cross
Awarded as per London Gazette 22 August 1941.

During the Albanian campaign this officer's squadron encountered a vastly superior force of enemy aircraft. Observing that the squadron leader's aircraft was attacked by four enemy aircraft, Flying Officer Cochrane went to his assistance and by his timely intervention the squadron leader was able to abandon his aircraft safely. On this occasion Flying Officer Cochrane destroyed two enemy aircraft, bringing his total to nine for the camapign. His calmness and steadiness sets an excellent example to all.

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Chris Shores, Aces High (2nd edition) gives victories as follows:

28 February 1941, one CR.42 destroyed, Tepelene coast, Gladiator 5782)
4 March 1942,       one G.50 destroyed (Gladiator 5917, RAF says damaged
                                  - he wrote "destroyed - unconfirmed" in his logbook)
9 March 1942,       one G.50 destroyed, Kelcyre-Tepelene area
                                  - (not mentioned in his logbook)
11 March 1942,     one G.50 destroyed, Bousi area (Gladiator 5917)
13 March 1942,     three CR.42s destroyed, Kelcyre area (Gladiator 5916)
14 March 1942,     one G.50 destroyed, Kelcyre area (Gladiator 5917
                                  - RAF seemed to count it as "probable" while he
                                  - wrote "confirmed destroyed" in his logbook)
3 October 1942,     one Bf.109 destroyed (unconfirmed, Tomahawk AN220)

According to the Biplane Fighter Aces site:
"It is possible that he claimed his first victories
when he claimed two S.79s on 4 August 1940"

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AFRO 874/44 dated 21 April 1944 (announcing Mention in Despatches) identified him as a
Canadian in the RAF. Air Ministry Bulletin 4812 refers.

COCHRANE, S/L Homer Powell, DFC (40991) - Mention in Despatches - Overseas - Award effective 14 January 1944 as per London Gazette of that date and AFRO 874/44 dated 21 April 1944.

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--- Canadian Aces ---

On these pages I use info from the Air force Association of Canada's web site
in Hugh Halliday's excellent Honors & Awards section,
Newspaper articles via the Canadian Museum of Civilization Corporation (CMCC)
as well as other sources both published and private

and the picture of this newspaper clipping here

Check out this page on him