Richard Kingsland

Sir Richard Kingsland, AO, CBE, DFC (19 October 1916 – 27 August 2012) was an Australian RAAF pilot known for being the youngest Australian group captain at age 29. He later became a senior public servant, heading the Departments of the Interior, Repatriation, and Veterans' Affairs.

Sir Richard Kingsland
Birth nameJulius Allan Cohen
Born(1916-10-19)19 October 1916
Moree, New South Wales
Died27 August 2012(2012-08-27) (aged 95)
Canberra, Australian Capital Territory
AllegianceAustralia
Service/branchRoyal Australian Air Force
Years of service1935–1948
RankGroup Captain
Commands heldRAAF Base Rathmines
No. 11 Squadron RAAF
Battles/warsSecond World War
AwardsKnight Bachelor
Officer of the Order of Australia
Commander of the Order of the British Empire
Distinguished Flying Cross

Biography

Julius Allan Cohen was born in 1916. He later changed his name to Richard Kingsland, to avoid anti-semitism.

Kingsland was sent to Morocco in 1940 to rescue two of Britain's most senior WWII leaders, Duff Cooper and John Vereker, 6th Viscount Gort. Kingsland managed to rescue them from French headquarters with only two other men and managed to flee in a Seaplane.[1] That same year, he and his crew were sent to bomb a major Japanese headquarters established in Rabaul, New Guinea.[2]

For his invaluable service, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) in September 1940.[3]

In June 2010, he published his autobiography, Into the Midst of Things.[4]

Public service

During his public service career, rising to become Secretary of the Departments of Interior, Repatriation, and Veterans' Affairs, Kingsland served 12 ministers and built a reputation as a trusted and experienced departmental head.

Awards and honours

Richard Kingsland was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 1967.[5] He was knighted in 1978,[6] and appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia in 1989.[7]

In 2013, a street in the Canberra suburb of Casey was named Kingsland Parade in Richard Kingsland's honour.[8]

Death

Richard Kingsland died in August 2012, aged 95. He was survived by his wife of 68 years, Kathleen Kingsland, two daughters and a son.[9]

References
  1. Ellery, David (28 August 2012). "Sir Richard Kingsland dies in Canberra". The Canberra Times. Fairfax Media. Archived from the original on 17 January 2014.
  2. "Boys Own adventures in wartime and sterling public service". The age.com. 28 August 2012. Retrieved 1 September 2012.
  3. "It's an Honour – Honours – Search Australian Honours". Itsanhonour.gov.au. 13 September 1940. Retrieved 26 September 2012.
  4. "Kingsland's Into the Midst of Things book". Royal Australian Airforce. Retrieved 1 September 2012.
  5. "It's an Honour – Honours – Search Australian Honours". Itsanhonour.gov.au. 19 June 1967. Retrieved 26 September 2012.
  6. "It's an Honour – Honours – Search Australian Honours". Itsanhonour.gov.au. 3 June 1978. Retrieved 26 September 2012.
  7. "It's an Honour – Honours – Search Australian Honours". Itsanhonour.gov.au. 12 June 1989. Retrieved 26 September 2012.
  8. Kingsland Parade, ACT Government Environment and Sustainable Development Directorate, archived from the original on 27 February 2014
  9. Farquharson, John (2012), Kingsland, Sir Richard (1916–2012), Australian National University, archived from the original on 17 January 2014
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