OUTSTANDING R.A.F. MEN

Southland Times, Issue 24886, 28 October 1942, Page 4

OUTSTANDING R.A.F. MEN

New Zealander In Number

(Special Correspondent, N.Z.P.A.)

(Rec. 7 p.m.) LONDON, October 26.

Group Captain S. C. Elworthy, D. 5.0., D.F.C., A.F.C., of Timaru, is one of four group 'captains of whom The Daily Mail’s aeronautical correspondent says: “Watch these men. One or more will truly be great names in Britain some day.” The others named are Group Captains H. Broadhurst, D.S.O. and bar, D.F.C., C. H. Appleton, D. 5.0., D.F.C., and G. A. Walker, D. 5.0., D.F.C. Commenting on them the correspondent says: “A very significant change is taking place in the operational leadership of the Royal Air Force. For the first time in the 25 years of its existence the key posts are being filled by men of its own making—men whose service careers have been entirely spent in the Royal Air Force, whose nursery was not the Navy or Army, but air training schools.” Of these four he adds: “They are exceptional men for more reasons than one. Reckoned in the light of casualty statistics their mere survival is remarkable.” Group Captain Elworthy is at present adviser to the Bomber Command. “Group Captain Elworthy’s career is unique,” says the correspondent. “He was granted a permanent commission in the Royal Air Force only six years ago and entered the war as a flightlieutenant. All three of his decorations were awarded in the first four mon’.hs of 1941, about which time he was in command of one of the extremely gallant Blenheim squadrons engaged in daylight bombing both in Europe and the Mediterranean. His own squadron was twice almost wiped out of existence. He is now 31 years of age, tail, fair and broad, the sort of man you would expect to find pre-eminent in any role, from that of bishop to bomber pilot.”

Group Captain Elworthy is one of the three youngest officers of that rank in the Royal Air Force. The majority serve 20 years before attaining it. He is a son of Mr Percy Elworthy, Gordon’s Valley, Timaru, and went to England as a boy and qualified as a barrister.