SIR JOHN SALMOND

Hokitika Guardian, 1 October 1928, Page 2

SIR JOHN SALMOND

BRITISH AIR, CHIEF. VISIT TO WIG RAM AERODROME. • OHICoTCHURCH, Sept. 29. The Cbnunander-in-Chief of the Air Defence of Great Britain, Air Marshall Sir John Salmond. was among those who farewelled the South Gross at the Wiern-m. Aerodrome. yesterday afternoon and inspected the AVigram Aerodrome. ’ >Sir John arrived in the Dominion last Simtlay from Australia, where lie has been conferring with the Commonwealth Government regarding air defences. He Will stay in the Dominion for about, a 'month, and during that time lie'will 'conter with the New Zealand Government. It is probable that lias recommendations will have an ii* jKVrtcnf, hearing: cm i lie air policy »'< ;lvhe l>omini"it. Aer-ompauying >*r - ■Suhuo.ml i\ Squadron-Leader 11. M. ilronunbiiH, 0.5. D.. •».1 1. 1* .... Mi -• R..y.!*‘ . aml Flight-*' i<-u tenant \.'P. T ; ledger. M.R.K.; R.A.I 1 ., Major I. M. Wilkes, Director of Air Services, and Major B. M. Isitt-, officer commanding t] 10 HoliNom ille Air Base. Sir John Salmond commenced his inspectinn of the Wigram Aerodrome soon alter his arrival yesterday morning, in company-with 'C 'apt am .1. L. Findlay. 0.C., Captain Al. Bucklev and Lieutenant T. J. Denton, of the staff ol the aerodrome. Bator in the morning he conferred with SquadronLeador Kingsford Smith concerning the flights of the Southern Cross.

A DISTINGUISHED PH.OT. Sir John .Salmond. who is a distinguished, pilot. came to the fore as a great air commander during the war, and since 1918 has played a leading part in the organisation of Britain's home defences Born in 1881. he "as educated at Wellington College, England. which has produced many of Britain's finest soldiers, and in* received his commission during the South African War, ill which lie saw active service. He went to AVest Africa and served with the Frontier Force- from 1903 to 1900. and in 1912, when flying first became of military importance, ho learned to fly at his own expense* at the Grahame White- School at Hendon. When the European War broke out Sir John went to France with Sir John French in command of the Air

'Squadron, .which was of ( inval.uahle service to the British,,troops in the rpt-reni from . Moiis. He was awarded tl D.S.O. and promotion followed rapidly.

In 1917,he was appointed Director of .M ilitary, Aeronautics at the Var Office, with a seat on the Ai.lt,Board, and in January of the following year he sir reeded Sir Hugh Trent-hard as General Officer Commanding the Royal Air Force in France, being responsible fer all air operations during the great German advance in that spring and in the final victorious advance of,the British Army. ORGANISATION ABROAD. After commanding the Air Force or Occupation until August, 1919, Sir John was recalled to England to engage in organisation work. He was sent to India in 1922 and from there to Iraq, lie re he assumed responsibility for tlve whole defence of the country. Since. 1925 he has been Connnan-ckoyin-Chief of Great Britain’s Air Defences. Sir Jol'ii SaTiVinml vi.sit.od A astral >a in puis ~, t.fie air defem.nf t !i- t ,"i'n iiioiiwa ll h and <ni l.lie org.i. i, i «;t i i ni. training and -•<; ■ d j/liin n r • i!i.; riiiva! au•tra La n Air Force. In vi.e.i\: v.: his work in. devising the ela--I.or ato protective scheme for Great B-ri-lain lie has unrivalled knowledge of Liu. new and conn ilex problems of defem e n.gai list ain-ra.ft.