Richard Kingsland
| Sir Richard Kingsland | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Julius Cohen |
| Born |
19 October 1916 Moree, New South Wales |
| Died |
27 August 2012 (aged 95) Canberra, Australian Capital Territory |
| Allegiance |
 Australia |
| Service/branch |
 Royal Australian Air Force |
| Years of service | 1935–1948 |
| Rank | Group Captain |
| Commands held |
RAAF Base Rathmines No. 11 Squadron RAAF |
| Battles/wars |
Second World War |
| Awards |
Knight Bachelor Officer of the Order of Australia Commander of the Order of the British Empire Distinguished Flying Cross |
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.
Biography
Julius Cohen was born in 1916. He later changed his name to Richard Kingsland, to avoid anti-semitism.
He 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]
The same year, Kingsland 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
- ↑ Ellery, David (28 August 2012). "Sir Richard Kingsland dies in Canberra". The Canberra Times (Fairfax Media). Archived from the original on 17 January 2014.
- ↑ "Boys Own adventures in wartime and sterling public service". The age.com. Retrieved September 1, 2012.
- ↑ "It's an Honour - Honours - Search Australian Honours". Itsanhonour.gov.au. 1940-09-13. Retrieved 2012-09-26.
- ↑ "Kingsland's Into the Midst of Things book". Royal Australian Airforce. Retrieved September 1, 2012.
- ↑ "It's an Honour - Honours - Search Australian Honours". Itsanhonour.gov.au. 1967-06-19. Retrieved 2012-09-26.
- ↑ "It's an Honour - Honours - Search Australian Honours". Itsanhonour.gov.au. 1978-06-03. Retrieved 2012-09-26.
- ↑ "It's an Honour - Honours - Search Australian Honours". Itsanhonour.gov.au. 1989-06-12. Retrieved 2012-09-26.
- ↑ Kingsland Parade, ACT Government Environment and Sustainable Development Directorate, archived from the original on 27 February 2014
- ↑ Farquharson, John (2012), Kingsland, Sir Richard (1916–2012), Australian National University, archived from the original on 17 January 2014
| Government offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Bill McLaren |
Secretary of the Department of the Interior 1963 – 1970 |
Succeeded by George Warwick Smith |
| Preceded by Frederick Oliver Chilton |
Secretary of the Repatriation Department 1970 – 1974 |
Succeeded by Himself as Secretary of the Department of Repatriation and Compensation |
| Preceded by Himself as Secretary of the Repatriation Department |
Secretary of the Department of Repatriation and Compensation 1974 – 1975 |
Succeeded by Himself as Secretary of the Department of Repatriation |
| Preceded by Himself as Secretary of the Department of Repatriation and Compensation |
Secretary of the Department of Repatriation 1975 – 1976 |
Succeeded by Himself as Secretary of the Department of Veterans' Affairs |
| Preceded by Himself as Secretary of the Department of Repatriation |
Secretary of the Department of Veterans' Affairs 1976 – 1981 |
Succeeded by Derek Volker |