MARKED FOR FAME

Marlborough Express, Volume LXXVI, Issue 253, 27 October 1942, Page 3

MARKED FOR FAME

N.Z. OFFICER IN THE R.A.F.

P.A. Special.

LONDON, Oct. 23.

Group Captain S. C. Elworthy, D.S.O., D.F.C., A.F.C., Timaru, is cne ; of the four group captains of whom the aeronautical writer of the Daily Mail said : "Watch these men. One or more will be a truly great name in Britain some day." The others named were Grcup Captains H. Broadhurst, D.S.O. and bar, D.F.C. and bar, C. H. Apoleton, D.S.O., D.F.C., and G. A. Walker, D.S.O., D.F.C. Commenting on them, the aeronautical writer says : "A very significant change is taking place in the operational leadership of the R.A.F, For the first time in the 25 yeSars of its existence, key posts are being filled} by men of its own making — men whose service careers have been enlirely speilt in the R.A.F., whose nursery was not the Navy or the Army, but air trainui®: schcols. ' ; Of these four the writer adds : "They are exceptional men — exceptional for more reasons than one. Reckoned in the light of casualty statistics, their mere survival is remarkable." Group Captain Elworthy is at present an adviser in the Bomber Command. ' " Elworthy '& career is probably unique," the writer adds. "He was granted a permanent commission in the R.A.F. only six years ago, and entered the war as a flight lieutenant. All three of his decorations were awarded in the flrst four months of 1941, about which time he was ih command of one of the extremely gallant Blenheim squadrons engaged in daylight bombing both of Europe and the Mediterranean. His own squadron was twice almost wiped out of existence. He is now 31, tall, fair and broad, the sort of man one would expect to flnd pre-eminent in any role from that of bishop to bomber pilot." Flight Lieutenant V. E. Sutherland, Wellington, has the distinction of being one of the flrst members of the R.A.F. and certainly the first New Zealander to be selected as a Judge's Marshal in England. He will accompany Sir Reginald CroomJohnson for six weeks on Assizes. Sutherland carried out a tour of operations before being posted to an operation training unit. Before enlisting he was in the legal branch of the Public Trust. V