COCHRANE, F/L Robert Hugh (J17277) - Distinguished Flying Cross - No.218 Squadron - Award effective 25 September 1943 as per London Gazette dated 12 October 1943 and AFRO 2386/43 dated 19 November 1943. Born in Quebec, 12 June 1914. Home in New Richmond Station, Quebec. Employed in mines, 1934-1935, teaching in Labrador, 1935-1936, and various sampling and engineer posts in gold mines, 1936 to enlistment. Enlisted North Bay, Ontario, 13 August 1941 and posted to No.5A Manning Depot. To No.9 AOS (guard duty), 16 September 1941; to No.3 ITS, 10 November 1941; graduated and promoted LAC, 2 January 1942; to No.17 EFTS on that date; to No.8 SFTS, 28 March 1942. Graduated and promoted Sergeant, 17 July 1942). To \"Y\" Depot, 31 July 1942. To RAF overseas, 6 August 1942, disembarking in Britain on 18 August 1942. To No.15 (Pilots) AFU, 29 August 1942. To No.12 OTU, 3 November 1942. To No.1657 Conversion Uunit, 18 February 1943. Commissioned 18 March 1943. To No.218 Squadron, 27 March 1943. Promoted Flying Officer, 18 September 1943, but when promoted Flight Lieutenant the rank was made with effect from 20 August 1943. Attached to Central Flying School, Cranage, 13 June to 5 July 1943 for instructional course on Ansons (22 hours) before return to No.218 Squadron. To No.1653 Conversion Unit, 5 December 1943. Injured 15 May 1944 in crash of Stirling EE958 (A3-T), No.1653 Heavy Conversion Unit. Encountered heavy icing which reduced power in starboard engines. Crash-landed in a wooded area at Banstead Manor, Cheveley, Cambridgeshire. Two crewmen killed. At Medical Rehabilitation Unit, 31 May to 1 September 1944 when he returned to No.1653 Conversion Unit. Repatriated to Canada, 18 December 1944. To No.10 AOS, 15 January 1945. To ?Y? Depot again, 1 April 1945. To United Kingdom, 13 April 1945, arriving 22 April 1945. To No.76 Base, 9 May 1945. Attached to No.1659 Conversion Unit, 29 June 1945. Award presented by the King on 29 June 1945. To No.435 Squadron, 16 November 1945. Also served on staff of No.120 (Transport) Wing. Repatriated again, 4 June 1946. Released 21 June 1946. Died in Toronto, 28 March 1981 as per Legion Magazine of September 1981. Photo PL-45006 shows him and F/O L.J. Bribin after investiture. RCAF photo PL-34638 shows three members of RCAF in cabin of their ship during repatriation - F/L T.G. Cahunsan (Montreal), F/L T.A. Dadson (Charlottetown) and F/L R.H. Cochrane (New Richmond, Quebec). Flight Lieutenant Cochrane is a most efficient captain who has completed many sorties. He has always endeavoured to press home his attacks and his example, determination and devotion to duty have been worthy of high praise. One night in September 1943, Flight Lieutenant Cochrane took part in an attack on Mannheim. When nearing the target his aircraft was hit and the port wing tip was extensively damaged but he completed his bombing run and afterwards flew the damaged bomber to base. Training: Course at No.3 ITS was 10 November 1941 to 2 January 1942. Courses in Mathematics (51/100), Armament (86/100), Signals (95/100), Hygiene and Sanitation (29/40), Drill (77/100) and Law and Discipline (56/60). Placed 49th in class (not sure how large the class was). \"Capable, dependable, serious, frank, pleasant personality.\" Course at No.17 EFTS was 4 January to 13 March 1942 on Fleet Finch II aircraft - 22.15 dual, 33.45 solo, plus 6.25 on instruments. Also logged 10.30 in Link. \"Good average flying ability.\" Ground courses in Airmanship (179/200), Airframes (84/100), Aero Engines (70/100), Signals (100/100), Theory of Flight (57/100), Air Navigation (127/200), Armament, oral (119/200). Placed 13th in a class of 34. \"Well developed person although he appears a bit slow at grasping new ideas; works hard and is conscientious. He has a moderate sense of responsibility.\" Course at No.8 SFTS was 30 March to 17 July 1942. Flew Harvards (56.45 day dual, 65.00 day solo, 4.20 night dual, 12.35 night solo). Of this, 28.25 was on instruments. Also logged 24.30 in Link. \"Average navigation ability, a plodding, methodical type with very slow reflex action. Coordination low average, rough on controls.\" Ground courses in Airmanship and Maintenance (143/200), Armament, written (65/100), Armament, practical (60/100), Navigation (143/150), Meteorology (37/50), Signals, written (28/50) and Signals, practical (95/100). He was 46th in a class of 52, and his preferred posting was to bombers. Notes: On 13/14 May 1943, in Stirling BF452 (at which time he had 97 hours on type), he was flying over target, 0230 hours, when hit by three incendiaries. \"We heard them hit the aircraft and presumed it to be flak. Two went through the wing and left only the tin ends protruding through the holes. The other hit the port wing leading edge near the fuselage and broke in two and lodged in the wing, but no fires started. The engines were not damaged but the aircraft became very sluggish and hard to fly on the way back. We did not see any other aircraft at the time nor of course did we see the incendiaries hit.\" His navigator on this occasion was 1557478 Sergeant D.L. Howell (later commissioned and awarded DFC). On 4 December 1944, at Repatriation Depot, he filed a form stating he had flown 26 sorties (165 hours 55 minutes) plus 334 hours 15 minutes non-operational flying. He stated he had been \"shot up by Ju.88.\" Application for Operational Wing, 16 December 1943, confirms 26 sorties but give operational time as 159 hours; sorties flown from 18 March 1943 to 8 December 1943.