Heroic WW2 acts awarded 82 years on

Medals of Gallantry have been awarded to members of 32 Squadron who were killed in action during World War 2.

CAPTION: Governor of South Australia Frances Adamson, right, presents Elizabeth Buchanan with a Medal for Gallantry, which was posthumously awarded to her father, the late Pilot Officer Warren Frank Cowan, for his actions on July 22, 1942. Story by Flight Lieutenant Robert Cochran. Photos by Sergeant David Cotton.

The Governor of South Australia, Frances Adamson, presented the medals to family members of the late Pilot Officer Warren Frank Cowan and Sergeant Laurie Edwin Sheard at an investiture ceremony at Government House in Adelaide on August 20.

Pilot Officer Cowan and Sergeant Sheard were posthumously awarded their medals for acts of gallantry in hazardous circumstances on July 22, 1942, in the skies above Papua New Guinea while working as captain and aircraft gunner, respectively, of a Lockheed Hudson A16-201.

Pilot Officer Cowan’s daughter, Elizabeth Buchanan, and Sergeant Sheard’s nephew, Timothy Warnecke, accepted the medals on their behalf.

CAPTION: Family members of the late Pilot Officer Warren Frank Cowan with Governor of South Australia Frances Adamson following an investiture ceremony at Government House in Adelaide.

Head of Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance Systems Air Vice-Marshal Gerry van Leeuwen said it was an honour to attend the ceremony on behalf of Chief of Air Force.

“Yesterday’s investiture was a special occasion given the rarity of MG [Medal of Gallantry] investitures,” Air Vice-Marshal van Leeuwen said.

“This is long overdue formal recognition for two of our finest aviators that both sacrificed their lives representing the Royal Australian Air Force at its very best.

“It was very clear that the families of Pilot Officer Warren Cowan, and Sergeant Laurie Sheard deeply appreciated the recognition and support at the highest levels of Air Force.

CAPTION: Family members of the late Sergeant Laurie Edwin Sheard with the Governor of South Australia Frances Adamson following an investiture ceremony at Government House in Adelaide.

“I spent time engaging with them, the decedents of the crew and extended families, listening to their stories and assuring them that the courage, service and sacrifice of their loved ones on July 22, 1942, in the skies over Buna, PNG, will never be forgotten; their actions and bravery are forever etched in our story.

“It was a truly humbling experience to be part of this historic occasion.”

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