Air Marshal Sir Sidney Weetman Rochford Hughes KCB CBE AFC RNZAF - 40784
103 Squadron - 1938/39 - Pilot
Born 25th October 1914 son of a Master Mariner Rochford Hughes attended Waitaki Boy's High School before joining the editorial staff of the New Zealand Herald in 1933. Leaving the newspaper industry in 1937 he joined the Royal New Zealand Air Force but due to the small size of the RNZAF at the time he was transferred like many others to the RAF. Arriving in Britain in 1938 he was commissioned and joined No 103 Squadron at Usworth, County Durham flying Hawker Hinds. The squadron soon re-equipped with the new Fairey Battle.
He was then transferred to Coastal Command and by 1941 was a pilot with 230 Squadron flying Sunderland flying boats
In December 1941, he collected a crew from No 40 Squadron who had crash landed a week earlier from Tobruk to fly them back to Malta. However, the Sunderland was soon attacked by two Bf110's which inflicted severe damage. One the Wellington's crew was killed and the Wellington's gunner replaced one of the Sunderland's gunners who was wounded. With both starboard engines out, Flight Lieutenant Hughes had no option but to alight near Benghazi. Blown onto the shore, they met Italian troops retreating, and joined them but after two days they decided to march the other way in the hope of meeting allied troops advancing towards them. During their march east, they met a number of Italians who wished to surrender and by the time they met up with troops of the 4th Indian Division, they had 130 Italian prisoners in tow, whom they were pleased to hand over.
At the inquiry into the DH110 disaster at Farnborough in 1952 Rochford Hughes, the commandant of the Experimental Flying Department at the time, gave expert testimony, saying, "From previous experience of Mr Derry's flying demonstrations here on the four days of the display, from the messages received from him on the radio-telephone, and from investigation of the wreckage, I am convinced that the pilot had no warning whatsoever of the impending failure of his aircraft."
He stayed in the Far East following his retirement from the RAF acting as Air Adviser to the Government of Singapore a post he held for three years. Returning to New Zealand, he sat on the Boards of a number of companies such as Mazda Motors NZ (Chairman 1972 - 87), NZ Steel (Director 1973 - 84), General Accident (Director 1975 - 84) and Reserve Bank NZ (Director 1974 - 77) to name just a few. He also a Liveryman of the Guild of Air Pilots and Navigators.
Retired - 8 Jul 1969. Died - 17 Sep 1996
Sydney Rochford Hughes at the start of his career
Short Sunderland 230 Squadron N9029
Rochford Hughes Sunderland on shore near Benghazi
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Career
During a stellar 30 year career Rochford Hughes progressed through the ranks as follows:-
P/O (On probation):- 1 Jun 1938, P/O 1 Jun 1939, F/O 1 Dec 1939, F/L date unknown, (T) S/L 1 Dec 1941, Acting W/C: 29 Dec 1942, S/L (WS): 29 Jun 1943, S/L 26 Mar 1946 [1 Sep 1945], W/C 1 Jul 1947, G/C 1 Jan 1954, Acting A/C unknown, A/C 1 Jan 1960, Acting AVM 27 Jan 1962, AVM: 1 Jul 1962, Acting AM 8 Aug 1966, AM 1 Jan 1967.
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After his departure from 103 Squadron his career progressed as follows:-
1941 Pilot, No 230 Squadron. (Sunderlands)
28 Dec 1942: Attended Course No 8, Middle East Staff School, Haifa.
27 Mar 1943: Air Staff, HQ Middle East Command.
1 Jun 1943: Transferred to RAFO and called up for service
Sep 1945: Officer Commanding, No 511 Sqn.
26 Mar 1946: Appointed to a Permanent Commission in the rank of Squadron Leader (retaining rank current at the time) [wef 1 Sep 1945]
1948: Chief of Operations, USAF All Weather Centre.
1950: Air Staff, Air Ministry
Officer Commanding, RAE Farnborough.
1955: Attended Imperial Defence College.
Dec 1955: Officer Commanding, RAF Jever, Germany.
1959: Air Member & Chairman, Defence Resolutions Policy Staff.
27 Jan 1962: AOC, No 19 (Reconnaissance) Group.
1964: Deputy Controller Aircraft (RAF), Ministry of Aviation.
8 Aug 1966: C in C, Far East Air Force.
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Awards
During his long and distinguished career Rochford Hughes received many awards as follows :-
KCB – 1 Jan 1967 (CB - 1 Jan 1964), CBE – 9 Jun 1955 (OBE – 14 May 1942), AFC – 1 Jan 1947, MiD – 1 Jan 1945, DFC (Greece) - 29 Dec 1942, FRAeS.
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Citation for the award of the OBE
Squadron Leader Sidney Weetman Rochford Hughes (40784).
One night in December, 1941, this officer was flying a Sunderland aircraft in the Mediterranean area, when it was attacked by 2 enemy fighters. One of the attackers was probably destroyed but Squadron Leader Hughes' aircraft sustained damage to the aileron control, and two engines were put out of action. The aircraft lost height rapidly but, with great skill, this officer succeeded in turning it into the wind and finally, descended safely on the water. Heavy seas were running but, although one wing tip float was smashed, he managed to steer the aircraft on to a nearby reef in such a way that the crew were able to escape from the aircraft into much calmer water. Observing one of his comrades, who had been swept from the main plane into the sea, in an exhausted condition and in difficulties, Squadron Leader Hughes immediately dived into the water and brought his comrade to safety after swimming some 30-yards through the heavy seas. His action undoubtedly saved the life of his comrade. Throughout, this officer displayed exceptional courage and leadership.
(London Gazette – 14 May 1942)
He was also awarded a Greek Flying Cross
40784 Squadron Leader Sidney Weetman Rochford HUGHES RAF, Sunderland flying boat pilot involved in the evacuation of Greece April 1941. Then shot down on the Benghazi coast in December 1941, returned to allied lines with crew and 150 prisoners. Listed in London Gazette 29 December 1942.
Compiled by David Fell courtesy of Air of Authority RAF Data site. Photos from my archive and the World War Photo Archive.
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