Correspondence from Bert/Robert Stanley Harper on overseas service to Gladys Holmes, Byaduk. Robert Stanley Harper, enlisted 19th April 1915, served as 1692 as Pte RS Harper with 22nd Infantry Battalion, Sailed on "HMAT 64 Demosthenes' Fought at Gallipoli, Pozieres, Bullecourt and returned to Australia in 1919.Original documents written by Robert S Harper to Gladys Holmes, Byaduk during WW1. 001802.1: London Bridge, London, 001802.2: St James Palace, London, 29th August 001802.3: Embroidered insert, Good Wishes 001802.4: Mt Lavinia, Colombo 001802.5: Gladys and pansy 001802.6: Marseilles001802.1: Weymouth, 8th Jan 1917 001802.2: London, 29th August 001802.3: In France 001802.4: Colombo 001802.5: 001802.6gladys holmes, postcard, ww1, bert/robert harper, byaduk, tuck's post cards, gallipoli,pozieres, bullecourt

"Best wishes on the eve of his departure for the war from your old tennis mate, Private Robert Harris, No. 2073, 8th Reinforcements, 24th Battalion" Private Robert Jubilee Harris, printer of Kangaroo Ground, on the far right, was the son of Robert Charles Harris, printer and former editor of the Evelyn Observer which preceded the Advertiser. He embarked at Melbourne 26 August 1915 bound for Gallipoli and was killed in France, 19 July 1916. https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/P10238019 In the middle is his Uncle, Shelley Harris who later in life was the Ranger at Kinglake National Park 1936 'LIFE OF SERVICE', Advertiser (Hurstbridge, Vic. : 1922 - 1939), 19 June, p. 3. , viewed 03 Oct 2018, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article56842659 His brother Charlie Harris is on the far left. Their sister was Mrs H. Thomson.Digital file only - scanned by EDHS from item on loan aif, charles (charlie) thomas harris, charles thomas harris, charlie harris, first world war, honour roll, kangaroo ground, letters, lew howard collection, robert jubilee harris, shelley harris, william shelley harris, ww1

Tags were used to identify wounded or deceased soldiers. All soldiers were issued two tags: one to stay with the body and the other to go to the person in charge of the burial for record-keeping purposesRossac Henry Claude 1737 25 Btn....Left Aus 20 08 15 Born India Patna 14 7 1892 Enlisted Queensland Sent to Alexandria Landed Gallipoli 12 10 1915 France Marseille 19 3 16 wia 9 10 17 (France) returned to Aus for discharge (medical) 21 04 18 Awards1914-15 star British War MedalVictory Medal WWII V18817 Enlisted Royal Park served 1939-45 His daughter Mena Roussac also enlisted 2 tID tags for Henry Claude Roussac 1737 Signaller 25 Bn Ist AIF one is round made of brownish fibre board and the other is oval made of aluminiumFibre tag Roussac H C 1737 25 BN AI Bapt The other aluminium Sig. Roussac1737 25 Batt A.I.F.roussac henry, id tags, dog tags wwi, gallipoli, 25 bn. 1st a i f

Longmore set aside his life as a farm-hand in Geelong, Victoria, when he enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force at age 21. Private (Pte) Roy Longmore, 3rd Reinforcements, 21st Battalion, of Bannockburn, Victoria enlisted on 13 July 1915; and he embarked from Melbourne aboard HMAT Anchises on 26 August 1915.[2] After training in Egypt, was sent to the Battle of Gallipoli where he was a tunnel digger with the 2nd Division, burrowing underneath the Turkish positions and laying mines. After evacuation from Turkey, he fought at Pozières, Armentières, and Villers-Bretonneux.[1] He was wounded three times in France and was momentarily given up for dead when he was shot as the Armistice in November 1918, approached. He later recalled, "We were patrolling in a gully when suddenly half a dozen Germans appeared over a hill armed with machine guns and opened fire. Jerry riddled me, knocking me flat on my back, and the last I heard was 'Longy's had it, they got him.'" Fortunately, his fellow soldiers saw him move and rescued him.[3] Lance Sergeant (LSgt) and returned to Australia on 16 March 1919 as a member of the 2nd Pioneer Battalion.[2] Civilian life[edit] After returning to Australia in 1919, his injuries made returning to farm work impossible, so he drove a taxi in Melbourne. Another change caused by the war was more telling. Before, he had hunted rabbits; but he later explained that when he returned home, he no longer had an appetite for firing at anything alive.[3] Longmore married and had one son, Eric.[1] The one-time LSgt Longmore died peacefully in his sleep at a Burwood Nursing Home aged 107 on 21 June 2001. He was the second last Anzac to die.[2] At his death, Australia honored him one final time with a state funeral.[3] Australian "legend"[edit] In 2000, Longmore was recognized as one of the "Australian Legends." His name and photograph were honored as part of an annual series of commemorative postage stamps issued by Australia Post since 1997. The stamps commemorate living Australians "who have made lifetime contributions to the development of Australia's national identity and character".[4] Longmore lived to fully enjoy this honor.[3] Longmore's 45-cent Legend stamp displays the soldier's portrait as a young man, photographed just prior to his departure for Gallipoli. Formal photographs of the other two ANZAC centenarians complete this stamp set. In addition, a fourth stamp features the 1914-15 star medal which was presented to all those who fought in campaigns during those war years.[5] These stamps, designed by Cathleen Cram of the Australia Post Design Studio, commemorate the story of events and people shaping contemporary Australia.[6] The Longmore stamp honors him as an individual and as a representative of all 68,000 soldiers at Gallipoli whose actions affected Australia's evolving self-image.[7] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roy_LongmoreFramed painting of Roy Longmore wooden frame glass fronted

Gallipoli diary written by Donald Johnson who was killed at the battle of the Nek on the 7th of August 1915Important insight into early 20th century attitudesSmall red covered diary with leather cover and claspTo Dear Don wishing you every success with love and best wishes for a happy xmas from Rubyworld war 1, aif, gallipoli, nek, 7 august 1915, donald mathieson mcgregor johnson, 8th light horse regiment

On the 25th of April 1915, Australian and New Zealand soldiers formed part of the allied expedition that set out to capture the Gallipoli peninsula. These became known as Anzacs and the pride they took in that name continues to this day. This booklet gives a brief rundown on the history of the ANZACS.The Anzacs were courageous and although the Gallipoli campaign failed in its military objectives, the Australian and New Zealand actions during the campaign left us all a powerful legacy. Rectangular shaped Booklet.ANZACbooklet, anzac, world war one, lara r.s.l.

In WW1 the Australian Light Horse served from the Suez Canal right around through Palestine - Syria.1. Memorial Card. Black cardboard with gold printing. It is a religious article with images and prayers. In the top centre is an oval shaped hole with a B & W portrait of an Aust soldier. Slouch hat with side up. 2. Set of 31 B & W photos depicting scenes of light horse activity. Beaches - Middle East buildings - locals - repairing train lines - daily life - campsites - ships off shore etc.Thomas McGinty, Beloved son of Catherine Power. "Who gave his life for the Empire. At Gallipoli, Turkey, August 13 - 1915. Aged 33 years.ww1, middle east, light horse

The songs inside are, "Our Boys at the Front", "The Lions Cubs", " Gallipoli", "The Boys of Australia", "Australia Day"Patriotic Songs flyer, yellowed paper, folds out to four, front has crossed flags at top followed by details in red and blue print, blue edging around, rear page also in blue and red, 5 songs inside all in blue print, main theme on front is "Australia Day July 30th 1915" and words by the Hon J.H. McColl, on rear main theme is "Are you doing your bit".Main item on front, "Proceeds for the Australia day wounded Soldiers fund"patriotic songs, australia day, july 30th 1915, wounded soldiers

Hard cover book with dust cover. Hard cover - cardboard, black buckraw with gold print on spine. Dust cover - paper, black, brown and white print on front, spine and back. Front image - in black, grey tones, photograph of Observers scan the enemy lines for targets on 30 April 1915." 376 pages, wt, plain, white, illustrated in black and white and colour photographs and maps. Owners label - opposite page to Title page.Analysis of the Artillery at ANZACbooks, military history, anzac, ww1, artillery

This picture depicts Gallipolis Anzac cove in 1914 The landing at Anzac Cove on Sunday, 25 April 1915, also known as the landing at Gaba Tepe, and to the Turks as the Arıburnu Battle, was part of the amphibious invasion of the Gallipoli Peninsula by the forces of the British Empire, which began the land phase of the Gallipoli Campaign of the First World War.Rectangular in shape timber picture frame with a small gold border,The photo is surrounded by a white border and covered in glass.Colarts studios Melbourneww1, lara r.s.l., world war one, gallipoli, anzac cove

Every Anzac soldier who served on the Gallipoli Peninsula, or in direct support of operations there - or his family if he did not survive until into the late 1960s - was entitled to be issued with the Anzac Commemorative Medallion. The Medallion was issued in 1967. The medallion was sent by registered post and comes in a presentation case with a moulded velvet base to receive the medallion, with a silk lined hinged lid.Medallion presented to all army personnel serving at GallipoliANZAC Medallion Badge issued in memory of W.H. MathewsThe obverse of the medallion depicts Simpson and his donkey carrying a wounded soldier to safety. It is bordered on the lower half by a laurel wreath above the word ANZAC and the date 1915 above the donkey. The reverse shows a map in relief of Australia and New Zealand superimposed by the Southern Cross. The lower half is bordered by New Zealand fern leaves and the name W.M. Mathewsmedallion, army, anzacs, australian army, world war 1, ww1, gallipoli

.1) Poem, The Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels. Top half has black print on white background. Bottom half has black / white photo of Angels carrying the wounded on stretchers. Poem & photo are framed with broken wooden frame, glass front & fawn cardboard backing. .2) Poem, Gallipoli, by St Sgt Sydney BOLITHO 6 Battalion AIF. Written at Gaba Tepe 25.11. 1915. Poem is in black print on white background with black / white photo of S BOLITHO on RHS bottom. Tan wooden frame, glass front, black cardboard backing..1) On rear: 2 white stickers, 1. “2850” 2. “D16” .2) In black texta on rear top of frame: “Tom & Libby Luke”poems, fuzzy wuzzy, galipoli

Benjamin Francis Esposito No 368 enlisted on 23.1.1915 in the 21st Bn age 25 years, embarked for Eygpt 10.5.1915 then to Gallipoli, embarked for France 19.3.1916, awarded the “MM” at Moquet Farm 26.8.1916, WIA 11.2. 1917 GSW to Face & L/Hand, promoted to 2nd Lt 1.1.1919, Lt 1.4.1919, discharged from the AIF 6.10.1919. Francis Stacey Esposito No 535 enlisted on 14.7.1915 age 22 years in B Coy 29th Bn, embarked for Eygpt 10.11.1915, embark for France 16.6.1916, WIA 26.11.1916 GSW to Neck, rejoin unit 18.3.1917, transfer to the 32nd Bn 12.10.1918, discharged from the AIF 25.7.1919. Mervyn Harold No 781 enlisted on 18.8.1914 age 20 years in C Coy 7th Bn, embark for Eygpt 19.10.1914, embark for Gallipoli 5.4.1915, admitted to Hospital Ship 2.7.1915 with Influenza, later classified as Enteric serious, Died of Disease 8.8.1915.Portrait photos, head & shoulders, of 3 soldiers in uniform, 2 with peaked caps. Oval photos mounted on cream backing with 3 battalion patches in the centre. On LHS is a drawing of a soldier with rifle surrounded by green leaf edging. Photos have brown wooden frames with gold inner edge, glass front & wooden ply backing.Across the top in white: 1914 THE WORLD WAR 1918 In centre in red: THREE MEN WENT FORTH FROM THIS HOME In centre in black: Ben Esposito, 1915 Frank Esposito, 1915 Mervyn Esposito, 1915 To fight for the preservation of .... Australia's nationhoodmemorabilia, framed, brothers

Item donated in the memory of Regt No 3188 Sgt John Joseph MILBURN, Unit 15th M G Company, 5th M G Battalion, 1st AIF. Saw service in Egypt and on the Somme 1915 - 1919.Display of unit colours of WWI in the form of a Rising Sun. Printed on white background with drawings of Belgium, France, Gallipoli & Egypt in each corner. Decorations are listed each side of display. All decorations & unit badges are in regimental colours. Display has glass front & brown wooden frame with gold inner edge, fawn cardboard backing.Printed top: “Souvenir of the Greatest War” Printed at bottom: “Australian Commonwealth Military Forces” Stamped on back: “Passchendaele Barracks Trust”military history-army, documents-posters, passchendaele barracks trust

The All Australian Memorial (Victorian Edition) A Historical Record of National Effort During The Great War. Australians Roll of Honour 1914 - 1916, Heroes and Helpers.Hard cardboard cover, dark red buckram, gold print on front & spine. Australian Commonwealth Military Forces badge on front. 158 cut, gold page edges, beige pages. Black / white / sepia photos, drawings, maps & portraits. Many photos mounted on cardboard mounts. Fold out photos & maps. Flyleaf & end papers are dark brown. Dedication page.Dedication page contains a card & printed portrait photo & information on Allan SCHWENNESEN “SCHWENNESEN A W, L-Cpl D Coy; 5th Batt; s. of Henry and Harriet Schwennesen 13 Arthur-St; Bendigo b. at Petersburg, S.Aust Sept 30 1897; educ. Talbot SS; clerk; enl. Bendigo, April 25, 1915 War Service; Gallipoli (Landing Evacuation); France”book, memorial, all australian

Thomas Henry Pocock No 1806 enlisted in 4th reinforcements 14th Batt AIF on 17.12.14 age 18 years 10 months. Embarked for Eygpt 29.3.15 then to Gallipoli on 26.5.15. Hospital 14.8.15 with Chronic Bronchitis, embark for France 1.6.16, WIA 7.8.16 GSW to left hand, return to France 25.1.17, hospital 22.2.18 with Influenza, promoted to L/Cpl 25.10.18, discharged from the AIF on 29.6.19.Medal set, court mounted, set of (3) Re T H POCOCK. .1) 1914 - 1915 Star .2) War Medal 1914 - 19 .3) Victory Medal"1806 T H POCOCK A.I.F."medals, military, history, passchendaele barracks trust

Stanley Arthur BARRIE No 3176 enlisted in the AIF in Section A 6th Field Ambulance on 7.1.1915 age 23 years 8 months. Embarked for Egypt 4.6.1915, embark for Gallipoli 30.8.1915, hospital 8.10.1915 (unclear) rejoin unit 20.10.1915, embark for France 19.3.1916, hospital 12.11.1916 with Blistered Feet, rejoin unit 5.12.1916, detached to 2nd Div Engineers 6.7.1917, rejoin unit 29.12.1917. After getting himself into trouble AWOL twice then threatening an Officer he transfers to the 23rd Batt on 20.8.1918, KIA 1.9.1918.Xmas /New year card from Pte S BARRIE. The outer cover is yellowish cardboard with a light paper on the inside. A string tassel runs up through the spine with a faded purple tassel on the end.Front cover; Australian Engineers badge with a spring of wattle under then the words “One King, One Flag, One Empire” with a crown and flag. Under the words “On Active Service 1915-1918”. Inside has; “Best wishes for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from Private S.A.Barrie A.A.M.C, 5th Field Coy Australian Engineers France” A.A.M.C meaning Australian Army Medical Corp.documents - cards, military history - souvenirs, xmas, engineers

John Leonard Stanley Hammill No 1351 enlisted in the AIF on 14.8.14 in 2nd reinforcements 7th Batt age 22 years 2 months. Embarked for Egypt 2.2.15, embark for Gallipoli 5.4.15, WIA 8.5.15 GSW to arm, hospitalised in Malta then England, returned to Australia 8.10.15, discharged from the AIF 26.6.16. Refer 368P, 369..1) 50th Anniversary Medallion Bronze circular in shape One side has a crown a top of Simpson and His Donkey with leaf arrangement, under them a scroll with lettering “1915 ANZAC” Other side a crown over a map of AUST/NZ with a southern cross with a scroll with space for an Individual name' .2) Black case with purple felt lining for 396.1.J.L.S HAMMILLnumismatics-badges-military, commemorative, anzac 50 years

George DANIEL had 2 years previous military experience prior to enlisting in the AIF as a Cpl No 367 in C Sqd 8th LH Regt on 16.8.1915 age 26 years. Embark for Egypt 25.2.1915, embark for Gallipoli 16.5.1915, promoted to Sgt 10.7.1915, hospital with Influenza 28.7.1915, rejoin unit 16.8.1915, promoted to QM Sgt 26.12.1915, hospital 1.12.1916 (unclear), rejoin unit 6.12.1916, transfer to 3rd LH Regt 2.7.1917, transfer back to 8th LH Regt 12 10.1917, WIA 11.12.1917 GSW’s to Back and right leg, embark for Australia 15.2.1918, hospital re his wounds 2.4.1918, discharged Medically unfit 12.9.1918. Scarsdale is a small town near Ballarat where the family came from.Rectangular sepia photograph of Light Horse SCARSDALE with 2 Arab handlers. Wooden frame, glass front & brown mount.Light Horse SCARSDALE, the mount in Egypt of QUARTER MASTER SERGEANT GEORGE DANIEL Regt No 367. 8th Light Horse Regiment, 3rd Light Horse Brigade 1915-1918. SCARSDALE was killed in action near Jerusalem mid 1918. photography, scarsdale, light horse ww1, framing

Brown, wooden frame with glass front, white cardboard backing, map mounted with green border. Map of Gallipoli area in black & light grey with white border. A detailed map of Turkey area around Dardanelles with references & scale charts at bottom. Reprinted for the Department of Defence, Commonwealth of Australia, May 1915.Front Top Centre: Turkey, Gallipoli. Rear: Bethany Gallery stamp.documents - maps, military history, gallipoli

Arthur Edward Symes No 1001 enlisted in the 7th Batt AIF on 24.8.14 age 24 years 6 months. Embarked for Egypt 19.10.14, embark for Gallipoli 5.4.15, WIA 8.5.15 GSW to arm, return to unit 20.6.15, WIA 1.9.15 GSW’s arm, back and leg, arm amputated, also states arm blown off. He DOW’s 4.9.15 at sea and was buried in Mudross East Cemetery Lemnos on 5.9.15. Refer 886.2, letter from W Darwin No 780 7th Batt AIF to Mrs Symes.Original Telegram & Commemorative Scroll re A E SYMES. 2 Tone gold plastic frame, glass front, brown paper backing. Mounted on dark grey background.On front: “PTE A.E SYMES No 1001 (C Coy) Died of Wounds at Sea 4/09/1915 Donated by Mrs D Johnston” Stamped on rear: “Bethany Gallery”documents, communications - telegraphic, memorial scrolls

Bertram Avenue Sheir Carey No 49 enlisted in the AIF in A Coy 5th Batt AIF on 17.8.14 age 26 years. Embarked for Egypt 21.10.14, embark for Gallipoli 5.4.15, WIA 26.4.15 GSW to thigh fractured, returns to duty 30.9.15, promoted to CPl 1.3.16, attached to 1st Army Pay Corps 1.9.16, transfers to Australian Flying Corps (AFC) London and posted 30th Training SQD 29.11.17, taken on strength 1st Wing HQ 16.1.18, discharged from the AIF 28.3.19.Framed photo of B.A.S. Carey, No. 49, 5th Battalion AIF and A.F.C. A grainy black and white portrait of an Australian soldier. Bare headed. Hat under his left arm. At least two strips on right sleeve. Frame - stylised black and gold wooden frameTicket on front - B.A.S CAREY NO 49 5 BN AIF and A.F.C. WIA 26 - 4 - 1915.photography-photographs, frame accessories, military history

Copy of original Gallipoli diary of B N EDWARDS No 909. Original diary held in Canberra. Benjamin Noel EDWARDS enlisted on 18.8.1914 in C Coy 7th Bn AIF age 20 years 5 months. Promoted L/Cpl 13.9.1914, Cpl 29.9.1914. Embarked for Egypt 19.10.1914. Records show that he was to be Sgt on 30.4.1915 but was actually promoted 2nd Lieut from 29.4.15 on account of Lieut A.D Henderson DOW’s. KIA 8/9th August 1915. Buried at Browns Dip. Diary of B N EDWARDS beginning 10/04/1915. Black & white photocopy, 61 loose handwritten pages.documents-diaries-copies, military history

Medallions are to commemorate 75th Anniversary of ANZAC. Both medals are in velvet lined cases. The case for B N Edwards has a small metal plaque inside the lid - "B. N. (Noel) Edwards, Acting Captain, killed in action at Lone Pine, 9th August 1915" Benjamin Noel EDWARDS No 909 (2nd Lieut) Refer Cat No 108.61 for his service details. Walter Henry SMITH No 1572. Refer Cat No 102.4 for his service details..1) ANZAC Medal in .3) velvet-lined case. Awarded to B N EDWARDS .2) ANZAC Medal in .4) velvet-lined case. Awarded to W H SMITH.1) Front - 1915 ANZAC; Rear B N EDWARDS .2) Front - 1915 ANZAC; Rear W H SMITH .3) Metal plaque inside lid: B N (Noel) Edwards, Acting Captain, killed in action at Lone Pine, 9th August 1915medallions anzac, 75th anniversary

Circular bronze medallion surmounted by the Queen's crown. Obverse depicts Simpson and his donkey assisting a wounded man, a laurel wreath, the date '1915' and the word 'ANZAC'. Reverse depicts a map of Australia and New Zealand with the Southern Cross superimposed, fern fronds and the engraved name of the recipient 'A. PEARSON'. This medallion is in its original presentation case. The Anzac Medallion was issued by the Australian government in 1967 to commemorate the 1965 50th anniversary of the Gallipoli landings. The medallion was issued to surviving veterans of the campaign or their next of kin. Refer to AWM item for further information < http://www.awm.gov.au/collection/RELAWM16790.001/ >The name of the recipient, A. Pearson, is engraved on the reverse of this medallion.

Circular bronze medallion surmounted by the Queen's crown. Obverse depicts Simpson and his donkey assisting a wounded man, a laurel wreath, the date '1915' and the word 'ANZAC'. Reverse depicts a map of Australia and New Zealand with the Southern Cross superimposed, fern fronds and the engraved name of the recipient 'G. R. GRIFFITH'. This medallion is in its original presentation case. The Anzac Medallion was issued by the Australian government in 1967 to commemorate the 1965 50th anniversary of the Gallipoli landings. The medallion was issued to surviving veterans of the campaign or their next of kin. Refer to AWM item for further information < http://www.awm.gov.au/collection/RELAWM16790.001/ >The recipients name, G.R. Griffith, is engraved on the reverse of the medallion.ww1, gallipoli, medallion, g r, griffith

Tpr Bartlett was the first casualty of the 4th Light Horse Regiment at Gallipoli. Tpr Bartlett enlisted on 18 August 1914 at Broadmeadows Vic and was posted to A Squadron 4th Australian Light Horse Regiment. He embarked for Egypt on HMAT Wiltshire on 19 Oct 1914 then going ashore on Gallipoli on 21 May 1915. At 8:00 pm Trooper Bartlett was struck in the stomach by either shrapnel or gunfire. His wounds were dressed and he was evacuated. He died of wounds and was buried at sea on 24 May 1915. The 4th Australian Light Horse Regiment is an ancestor unit of the modern day 4th/19th Prince of Wales's Light Horse Regiment. The Unit History Room is the custodian of its history. This memento of the first casualty of the 4th Light Horse Regiment at Gallipoli is both significant and poignantFramed portrait photo of No 72 Tpr Norman James Bartlett, 4th Australian Light Horse Regiment. In glass fronted wooden frame No 72 Trooper Norman James Bartlett, 4th Australian Light Horse Regiment Donated by Frankston RSL Sub-Branch 2016framed portrait photo of no 72 tpr norman james bartlett, 4th australian light horse regiment. in glass fronted wooden frame

Sir Charles Edward Kingsford Smith is a famous Australian, well known in civil aviation history for his courageous endeavours in flight. He broken many flight records for long distance and time travelled and he was also a war hero in World War 1. He has been referred to as being “known to millions of Australians as “Smithy” … he was one of Australia’s true twentieth-century legends”. In honour of his place amongst the world’s famous pioneers his image is featured on Australia’s $20 note, Sydney airport is named after him, there is a memorial to Kingsford Smith, Taylor and Ulm at the Anderson Park, also in Sydney and his plane “Southern Cross” is on view at Brisbane Airport. Kingsford Smith wrote ‘The Old Bus’ (1932) and he and Ulm were co-authors of ‘Story of 'Southern Cross' Trans-Pacific Flight’ (1928). His also wrote a book about his own life ‘My Flying Life’ which was published after his death in 1937. and the story of his life was filmed in Australia in 1946. A BRIEF HISTORY OF SIR CHARLES EDWARD KINGSFORD SMITH (1897 – 1935) … Kingsford Smith was born 9th February 1897 in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. His parents were William Charles Smith and Catherine Mary, nee Kingsford. His mother’s maiden name of “Kingsford” was added to the family name when they spent time in Canada from around 1903 to 1907, after which they returned to Sydney, Australia. In 1915 Kingsford Smith enlisted in Australian Imperial Force. He served in 4th Signal Troop, 2nd Division Signal Company at Gallipoli Peninsular as a ‘sapper’ or combat engineer and later in Egypt and in France as a dispatch rider. In 1916 Kingsford Smith was transferred to the Australian Flying Corps as a sergeant. He was discharged after training in England and commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Royal Flying Corps. He was appointed fling officer and soon joined the 23rd Squadron in France. He brought down four machines in his first month there and also did invaluable work attacking enemy targets. He was wounded and shot down and later awarded the Military Cross ‘for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty’. He was promoted to lieutenant in 1918 and served as a Flying Instructor with the R.F.C. Kingsford Smith was not allowed to participate in the 1919 England to Australia air race because of assumed lack of navigational experience. He and his pilot friend Cyril Maddocks formed a business and flew joy-flights in both England and America. In America he did some stunt flying with a Flying Circus. Kingsford Smith returned to Australia in 1921 and found employment as a pilot. He soon realised the value of air transport in such a vast country. He formed a partnership with pilot Keith Anderson in 1924 and they purchased two Bristol Tourer biplanes. Their business broadened to include Charles Ulm and became the Interstate Flying services in Sydney. Together they performed important ‘demonstration’ flights including a flight around Australia in 10 days and 5 hours using very limited navigational equipment. Kingsford Smith immediately started to search for support to do a trans-Pacific flight. This support came from the New South Wales government, Sidney Myer and G. Allan Hancock, an American oil magnate. On 31st May 1928 Kingsford Smith, Charles Ulm and two American crewmen, Harry Lyan and Jim Warner, took off from Oakland, California and flew to Brisbane via Hawaii and Suva. This historic flight took 83 hours and 38 minutes. Their Fokker plane had three engines and was named the “Southern Cross”. This amazing achievement resulted in huge financial subscriptions. Kingsford Smith was awarded the Air Force Cross and appointed as honorary squadron leader, Royal Australian Air Force. Kingsford Smith flew his Southern Cross plane from Point Cook in Victoria to Perth nonstop. Then in September – October 1928, with Charles Ulm and an Australian crew, he piloted the Southern Cross from Sidney to Christchurch New Zealand. This flight showed that was possible for regular passenger and mail services across the Tasman Sea. Kingsford Smith flew his plane to England to an order for four aircraft, planning to use them for an inter-capital air service in Australia. Sadly on 1st April 1929 he was forced to land, having lost radio contact with the ground and having run into bad weather over north – west Australia. Keith Anderson and Robert Hitchcock both perished before the search party reached them. Once official enquiries were completed the flight to England continued in June and was completed in record time of 12 days and 18 hours. In January 1930 Kingsford Smith piloted the “Southern Cloud”, one of the new Avro Ten planes, on the first flight of his airline, the Australian National Airways, from Sydney to Melbourne. The “Southern Cross” was overhauled in Holland by the Fokker Aircraft Co. and in June 1930 Kingsford Smith achieved an east-west crossing of the Atlantic from Ireland to Newfoundland in 31.5 hours. Kingsford Smith returned to England and took delivery of an Avro Avian biplane that he named the “Southern Cross Junior” and flew solo from England to Darwin, Australia. This record breaking flight took less than 10 days. He beat four other planes that had left England before him and he was 5.5 days faster than Hinkler. Sadly Kingsford Smith’s “Southern Cloud” was lost during a flight from Sydney to Melbourne in 1931 with no surviving crew or passengers; in 1958 the wreckage was discovered in the Snowy Mountains. Later that year Kingsford Smith flew his “Southern Cloud” from Australia to Timor, collecting mail from a damaged Imperial Airways plane in Timor. Other flights followed. Kingsford Smith was knighted in 1932 for his services in Aviation. He returned to selling joy flights then established the Kingsford Smith Air Service, a flying training school in Sydney. In 1933 Kingsford Smith flew the amazing record flight in “Miss Southern Cross” – a Percival Gull - from London to Wyndham in Western Australia in just over ten days. The Australian Commonwealth then gave Kingsford Smith a large grant and he was also appointed as aviation consultant to Vacuum Oil Co. Another flying record was made when Kingsford Smith and Sir P.G. Taylor flow “Lady Southern Cross” from Brisbane to San Francisco in order to sell her there; the west-east-trans-Pacific flight made aviation history. They returned to Australia to make an attempt at the trans-Tasman flight but their attempt failed due to engine failure; they managed to get back to Sydney safely, minus most of their cargo. Kingsford Smith had his unsold “Lady Southern Cross” shipped back to England, from where he and J. T. Pethybridge in the “Lady Southern Cross” attempted another record breaking flight from England The Old Bus Author: Charles Kingsford Smith Publisher: Distibuted by Herald Feature Service Date; 1932Label on spine cover with typed text RA 629.1309 KIN flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, the old bus, charles kingsford smith