Group portrait aircrew and army officers, graduates at the School of Army Co-operation (SAC). ...

Group portrait aircrew and army officers, graduates at the School of Army Co-operation (SAC). Identified personnel believed to be in the photograph are; back row: NX58921 Lieutenant (Lt) Patrick Joseph (Pat) Horan (second from left) later awarded the United States Legion of Merit, Legionnaire, for services rendered in the cause of the Allies; Stewart Williams, probably VX45502 Lt Stewart Hammond Williams, (third from left); Keith E Noblet, (extreme right). Front row: SX4550 Captain (Capt) Thomas Fergusson Gill, (third from left); VX7443 Captain (Capt) Hubert (Philip) Braddock, (fourth from right); NX51115 Capt Richard Cornish Garnsey, (extreme right), later awarded the Military Cross for outstanding courage and devotion to duty in the Lae-Finschafen area in New Guinea. Capt Garnsey was later promoted to major with the Land Headquarters. He died in Australia on 24 February 1946 aged 27 years. Capt Gill of Largs Bay, SA, was killed whilst on a reconnaissance flight over Jacquinot Bay, New Britain on 10 September 1943, aged 29 years. Capt Gill was recommended for Mention in Despatches dated 31 July 1943 for his gallant and distinguished services in the South West Papua area. The recommendation was gazetted on 31 December 1943. The SAC was established in late 1941 to instruct pilots and prospective ALOs in the techniques of army operations, the school accorded increased emphasis to the requirements of direct support. The school taught trainees specialised techniques required for tactical reconnaissance and for other close air support of the army ground forces engaged in jungle warfare in the South West Pacific theatre.