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The following is a summary of the military career of Sir Valston Eldridge (Val) HANCOCK KBE CB DFC based on information within the Australian Dictionary of Biography, the Oral History interview recorded by AWM in June 1993 and Wikipedia. Further details of his career and life can be found within the links that are provided underneath the image gallery.

Valston Eldridge Hancock was born on 31 May 1907 in Perth, Western Australia to parents Richard and Olive Hancock. He completed his high school studies at Hale School in Perth and entered the Royal Military College (RMC), Duntroon in 1925 hoping that this would provide the opportunity for him to study engineering.

RMC provided an environment for him to excel in his military studies and his personal development and he graduated in 1928 with the “ Sword of Honour”. Frustratingly unable to progress to the Royal Australian Engineers following graduation he applied to transfer to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) in February 1929 completing his initial training at Laverton in 1930. This was the start of a life-long passion for aircraft and flying and an extraordinary career by any measure.

Following the completion of his initial training he was posted to 3 Squadron (Richmond, NSW) and RAAF HQ in Melbourne where he took on the roles of Staff Officer of Works & Planning and then Deputy Director of Operations & Intelligence (1931-1935). His promotion to Flight Lieutenant (1934) led to the role of Staff Officer to the Chief of Air Staff (1935-1936) and then Director of Works & Buildings.

In 1937 he attended the Staff College, Royal Air Force in Andover, England which included a period of operational training and service.

A return to Australia in 1938 saw him posted to RAAF HQ (Melbourne) as Director of Works and Building. He was promoted to Squadron Leader in March 1939.

With the outbreak of World War II in September 1939 his focus, skills and experience were channelled into the establishment and needs of the Empire Air Training Scheme.

He was promoted to Wing Commander in June 1940 and Group Captain in April 1941 serving in a series of important planning and training jobs and Commander, No. 1 Bombing and Gunnery School at Evans Head (New South Wales 1940–42).

·         Following his OBE appointment (January ) between 1942 – 1944, he served terms as:

·         Deputy Director of Operations and Director of Plans at RAAF Headquarters

·         Assistant Director of Plans at Allied Air Forces Headquarters, South-West Pacific Area

·         RAAF Director of Plans (1942–43), and then became

·         Staff Officer Administration HQ of Western Area, (Perth), and

·         Director of Postings at RAAF Headquarters

His longed hoped for operational tour was realised in January 1945 when he was posted to New Guinea, serving as a pilot with No. 100 Squadron.

The operational flying experience he gained lead to command of No. 71 Wing in March 1945. His exceptional leadership skills were applied across the Aitape-Wewak campaign - with participation in 116 operational sorties. In February 1946 he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.

Following the cessation of WW2 hostilities he played a pivotal role in the reconstruction of the RAAF especially in the areas of training and building operational capability. He held roles and achieved promotions and appointments as follow

·         Director of Personnel Services (1945–46)

·         Director of Air Staff Policy (1946–47)

·         Promoted to Air Commodore in March 1947

·         First Commandant of the RAAF College at Point Cook, Victoria, in September 1947.

·         Attended the Imperial Defence College in London in 1950.

·         Promoted to Air Vice Marshal in June 1951

·         Deputy Chief of Air Staff (1951–53),

·         Appointed CBE in January 1953.

·         June 1957, Air Officer Commanding (AOC) of the RAF’s No. 224 Group, the operational element of the Far East Air Force in Malaya and Singapore.

·         December 1958 he was appointed CB for his leadership of No. 224 Group.

·         August 1959 Hancock became AOC Operational Command based at Lapstone, New South Wales.

·         Promoted to Air Marshal (May 1961) and appointed Chief of Air Staff

·         June 1962 appointed KBE

·         Retired from the Royal Australian Air Force in May 1965.

Against any measure Sir Valston Eldridge HANCOCK KBE, CB, DFC was an exceptional leader who forged an extraordinary career and made an outstanding contribution to the Royal Australian Air Force and the nation.

We will remember him.