W/C Cosme Lockwood Gomm, DSO, DFC (RAFO 34123) posthumous award -23/10/2018

[Adriano Baumgartner]

Dear all,

Last 23rd October 2018 (Aviator's Day in Brazil, celebrating Santos Dumont first public and powered flight), the late Wing Commander Cosme Lockwood Gomm, DSO, DFC (RAFO 34123), first O.C. of 467 (RAAF) Squadron was posthumously awarded, by the Brazilian Air Force (F.A.B.), the Ordem do Mérito Aeronáutico (O.M.A.) - Order of Aeronautical Merit.

His 84 years old niece, Irene Gomm and several other relatives (nephews and nieces) were there, attending the Brilliantly held Cerimony, which saw the award of several other Ordem do Mérito Aeronáutico to Army, Navy and Air Force Brazilian Officers and Civilians. (photos enclosed).

Our humble petition to Honour W/C Gomm and 2nd/Lt McMacking (our First WW1 Ace), dated from 1st February 2018, was accepted by the Commanding Officer of the Brazilian Air Force, Sir Tenente-Brigadeiro do Ar, Nivaldo Luiz Rossato (A 4-Star Marshall); to whom the Country (and we too) is, eternally in debt.

WE DO NOT FORGET THE BRAZILIANS WHO SERVED, FLEW AND DIED WITH THE RAF, RCAF, SAAF AND USAAF IN WW2; neither the first ones, who flew with the RFC, RNAS and RAF in WW1.

Adriano S. Baumgartner, ASV 00.344