Adrian Trevor (King) COLE CBE, DSO, MC, DFC

COLE, Adrian Trevor

Service Number: 277
Enlisted: Not yet discovered
Last Rank: Corporal
Last Unit: No. 1 Squadron, Australian Flying Corps
Born: Malvern, Victoria, Australia, 19 June 1895
Home Town: Malvern, Stonnington, Victoria
Schooling: Melbourne Church of England Grammar School; Geelong Grammar School, Victoria, Australia
Occupation: Student
Died: Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia, 14 February 1966, aged 70 years, cause of death not yet discovered
Cemetery: Camperdown Cemetery, Cemetery Road, Camperdown, Victoria
Memorials:
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World War 1 Service

16 Mar 1916: Involvement Corporal, 277, No. 1 Squadron, Australian Flying Corps, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '1' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Orsova embarkation_ship_number: A67 public_note: ''
16 Mar 1916: Embarked Corporal, 277, No. 1 Squadron, Australian Flying Corps, HMAT Orsova, Melbourne
20 Dec 1917: Honoured Military Cross, 'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. With another officer he attacked and disorganised six enemy machines that were about to attack our cavalry with bombs. The engagement was continued until all six machines were forced to return to their lines. His skill and courage on all occasions have been worthy of the greatest praise.' Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 219 Date: 20 December 1917
7 Oct 1918: Honoured Distinguished Flying Cross

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Biography contributed by Sharyn Roberts

RAAF Man's Gallantry In Dieppe Raid
Melbourne, Today:
Air Commodore Adrian Trevor Cole, of the RAAF, now on duty in England, has been awarded the DSO for gallantry in the commando raid on Dieppe.
Cole already held the C.B.E., M.C., and D.F.C. Cole, who was  detailed by the R.A.F. Fighter Command to act as air adviser to the combined staff controlling the raid, was wounded when two enemy fighters attacked the destroyer in which he was operating, said the Minister for Air, Mr. Drakeford today.


The destroyer was twice bombed.
When the raid was completed, two cannon-firing aircraft made low attacks on the destroyer. Cole was on the bridge and a shell splinter struck him on the jaw. Another splinter pierced his shoulder blade.
Cole, who is 47 years of age, join ed the Australian Flying Corps in
June, 1916. He went overseas and gained M.C in 1917 and the D.F.C. in 1918.


From 1926 to 1929 he was Commanding Officer at Point Cook and
CO. at Richmond (N.S.W.) in 1936-37. He has been on exchange duty with Royal Air Force in Egypt and England since Sept. 1941.

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