Legion d'Honneur Recipient George Tulloch

Congratulations to George Tulloch, one of our latest recipients of the Legion d'Honneur.

The Legion of Honour, or in full the National Order of the Legion of Honour (French: Ordre national de la Légion d'honneur), is a French order established by Napolean Bonaparte on 19 May 1802. Napoleon believed France wanted a recognition of merit rather than a new system of nobility.

The Order is the highest decoration in France and is divided into five degrees of distinction. A number of Australian Airmen have received the honour in recognition of outstanding services in the liberation of France during the Second World War.

Stunning Colourised Photos From WW1

This photo is part of a series of WW1 photos. The caption reads -
An unidentified member of the 69th Australian Squadron, later designated No. 3 Australian Flying Corps (AFC), fixing incendiary bombs to an R.E.8 aircraft at the AFC airfield north west of Arras. Savy, Nord Pas de Calais, 22nd, October 1917. The entire squadron was operating from Savy (near Arras) on 22 October 1917, having arrived there on 9 September after crossing the channel from the UK. 69 Squadron was temporarily attached to the RFC while they gained experience on the Arras front. They began moving to a more permanent base at Bailleul on 12 November, operating as a full Corps squadron attached to 1 Anzac Corps. The last AFC aircraft and personnel left Savy on 16 November 1917. (Source – Australian War Memorial’s collection – ID Number: E01176 – Maker: James ‘Frank’ Francis Hurley) (Colourised by Royston Leonard from the UK) https://www.facebook.com/pages/Colourized-pictures-of-the-world-wars-and-other-periods-in-time/182158581977012


More WW1 photos are available here - WW1 Photos

Thanks to Terry Maher for the link.

The Last Post - On Violin

Simply click on the picture for a stirring video of this Last Post rendition. Violinist Rachel Bostock had the following to say about her video - 26/4/2016

"Having had our ANZAC Day commemorations and memorials this past Monday, I felt inspired to pay my own tribute to our brave ANZAC's, including both of my Great Grandfather's. Sadly, neither of them made it home. To those who served then and to those who serve now, I thank you. Here is my rendition of The Last Post."

Friends of Odd Bods Member Receives Award

John Eacott (right) receives Master Air Pilot Award

The Honourable Company of Air Pilots, incorporating Air Navigators, was formed in 1929. It is now one of London’s livery companies which comprise ancient and modern trade associations and guilds.

"Before the Company was established in 1929, the future status of air pilots and air navigators was very much in doubt. The small group of commercial pilots who formed the "Guild" were virtually responsible for ensuring that their successors enjoyed a professional status, and one of the Company's objectives has been to foster and improve that standing. From the beginning the Company was modelled on the lines of the old City Guilds and Livery Companies and its constitution and by-laws reflect that foundation, although its activities and work is very much contemporary.

The Company became a Livery Company of the City of London in 1956: a rarely bestowed mark of distinction. This was a great factor in increasing not only the influence of the Company, the 81st Livery Company to be formed in 800 years, but of the entire profession of pilot and navigator in the United Kingdom and overseas.

In 2014, it received a further mark of distinction in being granted a Royal Charter in the name of the Honourable Company of Air Pilots. HCAP is unique as the only London company with overseas regions."

FOB member, John Eacott, son of past Odd Bods President Walter Eacott, is a Liveryman of the Company (John is shown on the right in our photo).John was granted freedom of the City of London some years ago in keeping with other Liverymen. He is active with the Australian Region of the Honourable Company and has been Honorary Treasurer of the Australian Region for some time. John received a Master Air Pilot award in 2015.

In July this year John was advised that he has been awarded the Masters Trophy for the Australian Region "in recognition of your outstanding contribution to aviation in Australia and elsewhere and meritorious service to the Company." The award will be presented at a dinner in November. Congratulations John.

North Atlantic Aviation Museum

Committee Member, Gary Elliott’s, recent overseas trip included a visit to the North Atlantic Aviation Museum at Gander in Newfoundland. Gander was an important trans-Atlantic strategic base in WWII. Thank you to Gary for these pictures.