|
|
|
EXTRA
! ! EXTRA ! ! EXTRA ! !
|
| <
NEWS |
|
|
|
|
Dateline
- June 10, 2008
A
life of value and adventure shared in Air Force autobiography |
| |
The Chief of Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston, today
launched an autobiography by the Royal Australian Air Force’s
highest ranking Medical Officer at the Australian War Memorial.
The autobiography of Air Vice-Marshal Eric Stephenson, AO, OBE
titled ‘Three Passions and a Lucky Penny’ describes
a life of adventure throughout a service career that has spanned
more than 66 years.
Eric joined the Royal Air Force in 1942 during World War II and
trained as a navigator. Narrowly escaping a fatal aircraft accident
while in training, he was posted to Bomber Command and took part
in the deadly night raids over Germany as part of a Lancaster
crew. In December 1943, Eric was forced to bail out of his stricken
aircraft after it was attacked by a German night-fighter over
Berlin. After 18 months in captivity, enduring privations and
forced marches across eastern Germany, Eric was finally liberated
by the Russian Army as the war was coming to an end.
Repatriated to England, he went on to study medicine and graduated
as a doctor. After working in hospitals and general practice in
the United Kingdom, Eric responded to an advertisement from Australia
and joined the Royal Australian Air Force as a Medical Officer
in 1955, rising to the rank of Air Vice-Marshal. Air Chief Marshal
Houston said Eric was considered virtually an institution in the
Royal Australian Air Force and was certainly one of its most iconic
figures.
“Over a number of months, the Office of Air Force History
worked closely with Eric to recount a lifetime of extraordinary
experiences and lessons which are of equal value to Air Force
members today,” Air Chief Marshal Houston said. “A service
that does not value its history does not value its people. By
ensuring that the incredibly rich story of Eric’s career
is preserved and available in published form, it is manifestly
clear that the Royal Australian Air Force does value its people,
and its past,” he said.
Eric’s autobiography shares stories of a life filled with
adventure. The book will be available through the Air Power Development
Centre’s online book sales at http://www.raaf.gov.au/airpower/html/publications/publications.htm
or through the Australian War Memorial Book Shop.
|
|