Hughie Edwards was born at Fremantle, Western Australia, and joined the RAAF in 1935 before transfer to the RAF. He was appointed to command No. 105 Squadron in 1941.

On 4 July 1941 Edwards led 12 twin-engine bombers in a low-level attack on the heavily defended port of Bremen. The aircraft had to fly under high-tension wires, through a balloon barrage, and into intense fire. All his bombers were hit, and four were shot down.

In 1943 Edwards became commanding officer of the bomber base at Binbrook, Lincolnshire, where No. 460 Squadron, RAAF, was based. The most highly decorated Australian of the war, Edwards also had a distinguished civil career, including an appointment as Governor of Western Australia, 1974 75.

Edwards was awarded the Victoria Cross, the Distinguished Service Order, the Order of the British Empire, the Distinguished Flying Cross, service medals for the Second World War, and coronation and silver jubilee medals for Queen Elizabeth II. His honours include the Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George, the Companion of the Order of the Bath, and the Knight of the Order of St John of Jerusalem.