Homer Cochrane

Homer Powell Cochrane

Cocky [left] and his wife Olive at Buckingham Palace to recieve his investiture
Cockrane [left] and his wife Olive (& Cpl. Carter?) at Buckingham Palace

Sqdn. Leader H. Cochrane Is Decorated by the King

At an investiture held recently at Buckingham Palace, Squadron Leader Homer Cochrane was decorated by H.M. the King with the Distinguished Flying Cross and the African Star. In addition hi received the the Distinguished Flying Cross awarded to his brother. Flight Lieut. Arthur "Jimmy" Charles Cochrane who was posted as missing in North Africa March 31, 1943 and now presumed dead. Both airmen were born and educated in Vernon.
Squadron Leader Cochrane, who has received special mention in despatches writes to his mother, Mrs A. Cochrane, formerly of Vernon, who now resides in Vancouver, describing the investiture he stated it was most impressive in character and lasted for two and one-half hours. Among honoured guests who attended was CpI. George Carter of Vernon, an old school friend of Squadron Leader Cochrane.

RAF S/L - DFC, MiD

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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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Born in Vernon, British Columbia, 1914.
Son of A.O. Cochrane and Helen Cochrane, of Vancouver, BC.
Brother of Arthur Charles "Cocky" Cochrane.
Educated in Vernon, BC.
Joined the RAFin 1938.
Appointed Acting P/O on Probation in RAF, 28 August 1938.
Posted to No.112 Squadron, Egypt, July 1939.
Served with that unit throughout the early North African &
Greek campaigns to November 1941.
(Confirmed in rank of Flight Lieutenant, 3 September 1941).
(He was Commanding Officer as of 13 October 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.
Promoted to temporary S/L in July 1944.
Posted to Britain, he served at the Air Ministry to April 1945.
No.525 Transport Squadron thereafter.
Released 19 November 1946.
S/L again in 1959

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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.

No Citation

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4 Aug 1940

28 Feb 1941
4 Mar 1941
9 Mar 1941
11 Mar 1941
13 Mar 1941
14 Mar 1941
3 Oct 1941

two S79s

one CR42
one G50
one G50
one G50
3 CR42s
one G50
one Me109

destroyed

destroyed
destroyed
destroyed
destroyed
destroyed
destroyed
destroyed

(unconfirmed, North Africa)

(Tepelene coast, Gladiator 5782)
[1] (Gladiator 5917)
[2] (Kelcyre-Tepelene area)
(Bousi area, Gladiator 5917)
(Kelcyre area, Gladiator 5916)
[3] (Kelcyre area, Gladiator 5917)
(unconfirmed, Tomahawk AN220)

7 / 4 / 0

[1] RAF says damaged, he wrote "destroyed - unconfirmed" in his logbook
[2] Not mentioned in his logbook
[3] RAF seemed to count it as "probable" while he wrote "confirmed destroyed" in his logbook

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Check out this page on him

On these pages I use Hugh Halliday's extensive research (which includes info from numerous sources), newspaper articles via the Canadian Museum of Civilization Corporation (CMCC) as well as other sources both published and private