Hughie Edwards (born in Fremantle, Western Australia on August 1 1914, died in Sydney, New South Wales August 5 1982) was a highly decorated Wing Commander in the Royal Air Force.
After leaving school he worked for a time as a shipping office clerk before joining the Garrison Artillery as a private in 1933. In 1935 he was selected for transfer to the RAAF and after training in Australia he was transferred to the RAF as a pilot officer.
On June 15 1941 Edwards led six Blenheim bombers on a search for enemy shipping and soon sighted a convoy of eight merchantmen anchored near The Hague. He led the attacking force in a daring low-level attack and his bombs struck a 4,000 ton ship. He was subsequently awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his actions.
On July 4 1941 Edwards led a daylight attack against the important and heavily defended port of Bremen, one of the most heavily defended towns in Germany, in which he won the Victoria Cross.
Edwards retired from the RAF as an Air Commodore in 1963. He was appointed Governor of Western Australia in 1974, but was forced to retire due to ill-health in 1975.
In addition to his war medals, Edwards received the OBE in 1947, made a Companion of the Order of the Bath in 1959 and was Knighted in 1974.
