[1] During the First World War, Cochrane served in the Royal Naval Air Service piloting airships.

[1] In January 1920, Cochrane was removed from the Navy List and granted a commission in the Royal Air Force.

His report and recommendations was produced at the end of the year and this would lead to the creation of the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF).

[2] He was subsequently invited to lead the raising of the RNZAF and on 1 April 1937, he was appointed Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), the rank of group captain.

[3] For the next two years, he worked on the expansion of the RNZAF in line with his recommendations, including the establishment of a flying training school at Wigram Air Base.

[1] In the 1939 New Year Honours, Cochrane was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (Military Division).

In the 1950 King's Birthday Honours, he was invested as a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire.