Outdoor group portrait of four members of the Australian Flying Corps (AFC) outside the ablutions ...

Outdoor group portrait of four members of the Australian Flying Corps (AFC) outside the ablutions block on the day they received their commissions. Identified from left to right are: Second Lieutenant (2nd Lt) Dave Mackay (not further identified); 2nd Lt Reginald Francis Baillieu; 2nd Lt Adrian Trevor Cole; and 2nd Lt John Vincent Tunbridge. 2nd Lt Baillieu was a 20 year old accountant from East St Kilda, Melbourne prior to enlisting on 1 February 1916. He embarked for overseas as an Acting Corporal (service number 154) with B Flight, No 1 Squadron AFC from Melbourne on 16 March 1916 aboard HMAT Orsova. While serving with 67 Squadron Royal Flying Corps (RFC), he was commissioned and reached the rank of Captain. In 1917 he was awarded the Military Cross for saving another pilot under heavy rifle fire and returned to Australia medically unfit for further service on 21 March 1918. 2nd Lt Cole was a 20 year old student from Malvern, Victoria prior to enlisting on 21 January 1916. He embarked for overseas as a Corporal (service number 277) with C Flight, No 1 Squadron AFC from Melbourne on 16 March 1916 aboard HMAT Orsova. While serving with 67 Squadron RFC, he was commissioned and reached the rank of Captain. He was awarded the Military Cross for courage during operations on 20 April 1917 and the Distinguished Flying Cross for his leadership on a raid over France on 7 October 1918. He arrived back in Australia on 31 March 1919. 2nd Lt Tunbridge was a 22 year old motor cyclist from Ballarat, Victoria prior to enlisting on 1 February 1916. He embarked for overseas as a Private with the Headquarters staff of No 1 Squadron, AFC on 16 March 1916 aboard HMAT Orsova. While serving with 67 Squadron RFC, he was commissioned and reached the rank of Lieutenant. He was wounded in action in air combat over Egypt on 11 May 1917 and was awarded the Military Cross for consistent gallantry in numerous air combats, notably on 11 May 1917. His wounds were so severe that he was medically evacuated to Australia, arriving on 22 August 1917.