Portal:Western Australia/Selected article/14

Sir Hughie Idwal Edwards VC, KCMG, CB, DSO, OBE, DFC (1 August 1914 – 5 August 1982), was an Australian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest honour for valour "in the face of the enemy" that can be awarded to members of the British and Commonwealth armed forces. Serving as a bomber pilot in the Royal Air Force, Edwards was decorated with the Victoria Cross in 1941 for his efforts in leading a bombing raid against the port of Bremen, one of the most heavily-defended towns in Germany. He became the most highly-decorated Australian serviceman of the Second World War.

Born in Fremantle, Western Australia, Edwards joined the Royal Australian Air Force in 1935, and a year later was granted a short service commission with the Royal Air Force. Serving with the RAF throughout World War II, he gained a permanent commission and continued his career in the RAF after the war; he retired in 1963 with the rank of Air Commodore. Returning to Australia, he was made Governor of Western Australia in 1974.