Air Vice Marshal Adrian Cole

Adrian Lindley Trevor Cole (1895-1966) served during both world wars. During the First World War, he was posted to No. 1 Squadron, Australian Flying Corps (AFC). Cole was awarded the Military Cross for his 'skill and courage' during the Egyptian Expeditionary Force's advance to Palestine in 1917. After the war, he returned to Melbourne for a brief stint as an importer, before taking up a permanent air force commission on 31 March 1921. In 1942 he was awarded the Distinguished Services Order for his contribution to the defence of Dieppe. Cole was the senior Australian representative in Rangoon when the Japanese surrendered in Singapore on 12 September 1945. Upon retiring on 17 April 1946, he was promoted substantive air commodore and granted the rank of honorary air vice marshall. Following his return to Australia from service abroad, he was the Liberal candidate to contest the seat of Maribyrnong, Victoria, in the 1946 Federal election.
The AFC was established in 1913. In 1915 Australia was asked by Britain to form compile squadrons for service with the RFC . Australia responded by despatching No. 1 squadron to Egypt. During the next two years the squadron operated first from Heliopolis and later in Palestine and Syria. More squadrons were raised in Australia for the Western Front. No. 2, 3 and 4 squadrons arrived in France during August, September and December 1917 respectively. No. 2 squadron (flying DH5s) was attached to the Third Army and during the Battle of Cambrai in November 1917 carried out patrol duties, ground strafing of enemy troops and bombing. No. 3 squadron (flying RE8s) was supporting the last phase of the Passchendaele campaign in Flanders. The last Australian squadron to arrive (No. 4 flying Sopwith Camels) took up its duties with the First Army. At the end of the First World War, the AFC was disbanded and replaced by the Australian Air Corps which became the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) in 1921.