Early career Valston Hancock
hancock competing in high jump @ raaf sports carnival in 1930s
hancock born on 31 may 1907 in perth, western australia, , educated @ hale school in wembley downs. elder cousin of future mining magnate lang hancock. val hancock entered royal military college, duntroon, in 1925 , graduated senior cadet in 1928, earning sword of honour. preferred career path in military engineering, , when found there no vacancy in corps of choice, , had instead been earmarked artillery, put name forward transfer royal australian air force. enlisted in raaf on 1 february 1929, , undertook flying instruction @ raaf point cook, victoria, later year.
hancock s initial postings after qualifying pilot nos. 1 , 3 squadrons. was, however, common practice duntroon graduates given staff positions in air force because of training in administration, , hancock no exception. spent of 1930s in succession of posts @ raaf headquarters in melbourne. 1931 1935, served deputy director of operations , intelligence. married joan butler on 26 may 1932; couple had 2 sons , daughter. 1935, hancock had been promoted flight lieutenant , appointed staff officer chief of air staff. in 1937 posted britain attend raf staff college, andover. other commonwealth air forces, raaf maintained close technological , educational ties royal air force, , hancock 1 of 30 australian officers pass through andover before outbreak of world war ii. returning australia in 1938, promoted squadron leader , became director of works , buildings, commonly known works , bricks , @ raaf headquarters.
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