West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 - 1954), Tuesday 25 August 1953, page 3


Hely Will Be Deputy-Chief Of Air Staff CANBERRA, Mon.-When Air-Commodore W. L. Hely, A.O.C. Western Area, becomes Deputy-Chief of the Air Staff in October he will be given the act ing rank of Air Vice-Marshal. This was announced by the Minister for Defence (Sir Philip McBride) today. Sir Philip said that Air Vice Marshal J. P. J. McCauley would be promoted to air mar shal when he took over from Air Marshal Sir Donald Hard man (R.A.F.) as Chief of the Air Staff on January 13. Other changes in R.A.A.F. senior appointments announced by the Minister were: Acting Air Vice-Marshal V. E. Hancock, at present Deputy Chief of the Air Staff, to be come Air Member for Personnel on October 15. In place of Air Vice-Marshal F. H. Bladin, who will retire. Acting-Air Vice-Marshal A. L. Walters to become Air Officer Commanding Eastern area from early January, in place of Air Vice-Marshal McCauley. Air Vice-Marshal Walters is now head of the Australian Joint Service Staff in Washing ton. Air Commodore A. M. Mur doch, at present commanding the R.A.A.F. College, to be appointed A.O.C., Southern area, in December, with the acting rank of Air Vice-Marshal. He will succeed Acting Air Vice-Marshal A. M. Charles worth, who will become A.O.C. Overseas Headquarters, London.