This booklet relates the life of Basil Watson. It tells in detail his early life, background, his home built aeroplane, his display flights and his tragic death and the story since. This year marks 100 years since one of Australia’s pioneering aviators, Basil Watson arrived in Warrnambool and delivered the first airmail to the town. Basil Watson was born in Bendigo in 1894. His interest in aviation which began at a young age, took him to England at the commencement of WW1 where he worked at Brookland in aviation workshops and as a test pilot. Despite crashing and suffering injuries he was not deterred. He returned to Australia and by 1916 Basil had built his own plane. He soon took to the air performing tricks and barnstorming to the delight of onlookers. His connection to Warrnambool lies with his delivery of the first airmail to the town, an event which was filled with much excitement. Basil Watson, pioneer aviator landed his 50hp home built aeroplane on the racecourse on Saturday January 27th 1917, after a flight from Point Cook. The trip of 166 miles took just under two hours, and set a record non-stop cross country flight for Australia. Watson was heartily welcomed by the Mayor, to whom he delivered three letters, the first aerial post to Warrnambool. One of the letters, from the Mayor of Melbourne Sir David Hennessy to the Mayor of Warrnambool is now in the W&DHS collection: I have much pleasure in sending you greetings by aeroplane piloted by my friend, Mr Basil Watson. I hope when the cruel war is over and victory crowns our efforts, we, over the Commonwealth, will be able to fly from one State to the other. With best wishes for the New Year. Yours truly, DV Hennessy. Basil Watson was unfortunately killed two months after his historic visit to Warrnambool. While participating in an air show at Point Cook, the plane he way flying that day crashed into the sea. This booklet tells the story of an interesting part of Warrnambool and Australia's aviation history. It has special significance as it enlightens two significant items in our local collection, namely the letter which he delivered and the seat from his aircraft.A small 29 page booklet with blue and white photograph of Basil Watson in his aeroplane. It contains a number of black and white and some colour photographs. Introduction from the author, "This small booklet recognises the short career of Basil Watson. He came to my attention when researching the French aviator Maurice Guillaux who carried the first official air mail in Australia, Melbourne to Sydney in two and a half days 16/18 July 1914..... Tom Lockley 1 June 2017. Handwritten inside front cover,"These items may be of interest to add to your material about Basil Watson. Its a pity that the 100 year anniversary of his flight was not more widely recognised but thank you for mounting some of his records. Tom Hockley."warrnambool, basil watson, first airmail flight, aviation career of basil watson

The Hollywood film stars pasted on to one side of this paper are of no historical interest to our Society. The four paper items attached to the other side relate to the pioneer aviator, Basil Watson. He flew the first aeroplane to come to Warrnambool in January 1917. Watson flew from Point Cook to Warrnambool in one hour 55 minutes, an Australian cross-country flying record at the time. He had built his own aeroplane which was 18 feet long with a wing span of 26 feet and it had a 7 cylinder 50 H.P. rotary Gnome engine. In Warrnambool he amazed the crowds with his dare-devil aerial acrobatics, looping the loop 14 times over the Warrnambool Racecourse. Watson also brought several letters with him, making him the bearer of the first aerial mail to Warrnambool. Sadly Basil Watson died when his plane crashed at Point Cook in March 1917, just two months after his record-breaking flight to Warrnambool. The Warrnambool and District Historical Society has in its collection the small galvanized bucket seat which came from Watson’s plane and the original first air letter written by the Mayor of Melbourne to the Mayor of Warrnambool. These four items are of considerable historical interest as they are souvenirs issued at the time of Basil Watson’s aviation exploits in the early 1900s and Watson is of great importance in the aviation history of Warrnambool.This is a piece of paper (possibly from a scrapbook) with one torn edge. Pasted on to the paper on one side are newspaper photographs of early Hollywood female film stars. On the other side are four items relating to the pioneer aviator, Basil Watson – an airmail post card, a newspaper black and white photograph, a souvenir black and white photograph and a card with an illustration of an early aeroplane (pictured upside down). ‘The Aerial Postman Basil Watson’ ‘Official Souvenir Australian Aerial Mail’ basil watson, pioneer aviator, aviation in warrnambool’s history, history of warrnambool

Studio sepia photograph of Basil Watson as a youth, possibly in school uniform. Aged about 12 years. 'Basil Watson' handwritten in biro on back.Melba & Co., Melbourneperson, individual, basil watson, melba photography melbourne

This is a paper back book with a plastic-laminated cover. There are 61 pages with diagrams, photographs, illustrations, advertisements, posters and newspaper cuttings. The cover is mainly grey and white in colour with printed material in a red insert and two photographs superimposed over the background.This book gives details on the life and work of Basil Watson (1893-1917), a pioneer aviator in Australiabasil watson, warrnambool and aviation pioneer, australian aviators

Black and white mounted photograph of Basil Watson in biplane . Half head of Basil Watson peering out of cockpit. Lower RHS: Photographer's logo: ''Kalm'' 57-59 Pall Mall, BendigoKalma, 57 & 59 Pall Mall Bendigo.person, individual, basil watson

Black and white photograph of Basil Watson sitting in bi-plane. Basil is wearing a jacket and tie.photograph, aircraft, basil watson collection

12 small handwritten, interpretive labels for display (re Basil Watson) - presumably to accompany an exhibition of Basil Watson memorabilia (no date) Labels: fabric with monogram from original plane; finished plane; airmail envelopes 1929-30; Basil Watson Bendigo's first aviator,; first Australian to loop the loop; picture of the delivery of the first letter carried by air in Australia. Flown from Melbourne to Bendigo and delivered by the late Mr. Basil Watson of Melbourne, to his cousin Mr. Keith Munro of Bendigo, at 5.15 p.m. on Wednesday, November 29th. 1916, at the Bendigo racecourse. Envelope: handwritten on front of envelope 'Assam silk material used in covering the wings and fuselage of Basil Watson's airplane built by him in 1916. The wings and fuselage were then painted with an oil protective covering'person, individual, basil watson

Framed photograph of Basil Watson in biplane cockpit (facing front) Basil is wearing a flying suit and goggles.photograph, aircraft, basil watson collection

PASSPORT #85432 issued to BASIL WATSON at the Foreign Office, London on 25th March 1916. Includes photo and description of Basil Watson. ''Foreign Office'' stamp 25th March 1916 and ''liens Office Tilbury'' stamp on 14th April 1916 on one of the two endorsement pages.person, individual, basil watson

'Then and Now' newspaper article on Basil Watson by Keith Dunstan ('Sun' 4/12/1971) titled 'That daring young man' Article enclosed in buff envelope 'Melb Sun, Dec 4th 1971 re Basil Watson, written in blue. Envelope addressed to Mrs. F. Stilwell, 46 Brougham Street, Bendigo Vic 3550, 7c stamp on top. Article deals with biography of Basil Watson and details his exploits with the development of his airplane and flying experiences. 3 photos of plane: building it in the ballroom of his family home in Brighton; testing the cockpit for size and the finished 'plane. Refers to Brighton Historical Society exhibition in honour of Basil Watson.person, individual, basil watson

sepia ( or very faded black and white ) photograph: photo shows Robert Keith Munro shaking hands with Basil Watson. Men are standing near steps at front of house. Brick pillar on LH side. Photo was donated by Dorothy Wigney, (nee Stilwell) a niece of Robert Munro. Robert Munro and Basil Watson are cousins, sharing the same maternal grandfather, George William Knight. R.K. Munro put together the Basil Watson collection and donated it to the Bendigo Historical Society.aviation, civilian, basil watson

A.H.S.A. (Aviation Historical Society of Australia) journal article - Basil Watson and aircraft photos; Jan/Feb 1967. Five photos on the single page: 1. Basil Watson's biplane at 'Foilacleugh', Melbourne, 1916; 2. Biplane under construction in Billiard Room, 1916; 3. Basil Watson (in centre) at Warrnambool, 1917; 4. Official souvenir cover (envelope) for 50th anniversary of airmail flight; 5. Piper Cherokee - PMG Department - 50th Anniversary of airmail flight.person, individual, basil watson

'The Basil Watson Story' - Manuscript of 20 pages. Typed by R Keith Munro outlining the life, flying feats, accidental death and funeral of Basil Watson. Bound in manila folder and held with a purple ribbon. Titled on front cover 'The Aeronautical Career of the late Mr Basil E Watson Australia's Pioneer Airman' ; 'To mother from Keith' (typed) and '16 June 1917 (handwritten).person, individual, basil watson

Biographical Sheet - re Basil Watson, Typed A3 sheet with brief biography of Basil Watson - b. 12/10/1894, Bendigo; d. Point Cook, near Laverton 28/3/1917. Grandson of Bendigo mining investor, J B Watson. Source: Eustis, H N (1967)Eustis H.N.person, individual, basil watson

Seven page typed script of the Basil Watson Story enclosed in envelope. On front of envelope ' From K. Munro, 63 Pyke Street, Bendigo 3550. The Basil Watson Story, broadcast from radio station, 28.11.61, 3BO Bendigo. Letter was addressed to Mr.Cecil K. Hyett, Barfold Estate, Barfold, via Kyneton, Vic. 3444' Script of Radio Broadcast 3BO, 28th Nov. 1961 enclosed, on the eve of the 45th anniversary of Basil Watson's flight from Melbourne to Bendigo. Script 1961; letter/envelope 1970.person, individual, basil watson

16 page hardcover ALBUM OF NEWSPAPER CLIPPINGS ABOUT BASIL WATSON compiled by Robert Keith Munro. On spine: 'Basil G Watson Aviator Dec 9th 1916' Comprising newspaper cuttings of the flying exploits of Basil Watson, his accidental death, funeral and inquest. Cuttings from the Bendigo Advertiser, Bendigo Independent, Herald and other local papers. Also includes cuttings of 50th anniversary of mail flight from Mt Gambier to Melbourne (1967).aviation, civilian, basil watson

Collection of advertising posters for aviation displays of Basil Watson: a. ''Aeroplane'' - gymkhana at Aspendale Racecourse, 30th Dec, (1916); b. ''Sensational Aviation'' - general leaflet on Basil Watson with picture of plane; c. ''Aerial Mail'' Mt Gambier to Melbourne includes photo of biplane and Basil Watson; d. ''Sensational Aviation'' Basil Watson is coming.person, individual, basil watson

16 pages souvenir programme - aviation exhibition of Basil Watson. Dated Warrnambool on Saturday Jan 27th 1917. Includes introduction on Basil Watson, an interview with Basil Watson on the war and aviation, photos of a seaplane, bi-plane and Basil Watson. Includes 7 pages of advertisements. Printer: E A Green, 14 McKillop St, Melbourne.person, individual, basil watson

Newspaper cutting ''In the Spotlight'' re life of Basil Watson. Cuttings enclosed in cream envelope, on front ' Aeronautical notes re Basil G. Watson and other's Bendigo Advertiser of Nov 29th 1950. Paragraph headings: Gallant Airman; Official Mail; The Letter; Aerial Exhibition; Stunting; Finale.person, bendigo, basil watson

Basil George Watson was an aviation pioneer born in Bendigo 12/10/1893. The family moved to Melbourne when he was a child. In 1914 he went to England to work as an engineer for the Sopwith Aviation Company. He also took flying lessons and received his licence in 1915. He now worked as a test pilot for Sopwith but when a crash rendered him unfit for military duty, he returned to Australia in late 1915. He designed and constructed his own biplane in the back yard of his Elsternwick home. At the end of 1916 he tested his plane by flying from Point Cook to Bendigo and then to Melbourne. This included an aviation display in Bendigo. He followed this by flying to Warnambool 25/1/1916. He then set up an experimental airmail flight from Melbourne to Mount Gambier. On 28th March 1917, Watson was demonstrating aerobatics for the entertainment of AIF servicemen at Point Cook, when his plane collapsed and fell into the ocean close to shore. Unfortunately, Watson was tangled in the plane's wires and died. On hearing of his death, the bells of St Pauls in Bendigo and the Bendigo fire bell tolled.A paper detailing the life of Bendigo pilot Basil Watson, one of the first Australian pilots. 4 pages.aviation, basil watson, sopwith

Copy of photograph. On bottom: Bartlett Bros, Sandhurst. In blue handwriting: ' John Boyd Watson (standing) - Basil Watson's uncle, and James Isaac Watson (sitting) Basil Watson's father.person, bendigo, basil watson

Black and white photograph of Basil Watson's funeral procession showing horse drawn hearse and following carriages. Inscription on back: ''Taken at East Melbourne 1919 en route to Brighton Cemetery. Photo taken by Ivy Harry - distant cousin of Basil Watson.person, individual, basil watson, photo taken by ivy harry - a distant cousin of basil watson. photo donated to royal historical society bendigo by wesley harry 26 december 1974.

Black and white portrait photograph of Basil Watson. Timber frame, glass front and wire stand on back. ''Basil'' is handwritten in ink on lower RHS; imprint on backing sheet: '' Sears Studios, Melbourne''Sears Studios, Melbourneperson, individual, basil watson

Framed formal portrait photograph of Basil Watson in decorative metal frame. Red velvet backing and hinged support stand. Photo by The Sears Studio, Melbourne. ''Basil'' handwritten in ink on lower RHS.The Sears Studio, Melbourneperson, individual, basil watson

Aviator's Certificate issued to Basil Watson. Blue leather cover with Basil Watson's photo on inside leaf. 'Federation Aeronautique Internationale' British Empire Aviator's Certificate No. 1910 issued by the Royal Aero Club of United Kingdom 18 Oct 1915. Reference to Basil Watson's birthplace Bendigo 12th Oct 1894.person, individual, basil watson

a. Album of 12 photographs (Basil Watson story): construction of plane at family home plus two photos of crash site at Point Cook. Inscribed beside frontispiece photo is: Basil Watson - Age 23 - Accidentally killed whilst flying at Point Cook March 28 1917'. Inside front cover: 'To dear Keith, With love from Aunt Belle', 'Foilacleugh' St Kilda St., Elsternwick July 1917. b. Listing of photos in this album - concise description of 12 photosperson, individual, basil watson

Two sepia photographs of gravesite of Basil Watson (taken at Booroondara Cemetery, Kew): a. showing floral tribute from AFC (Australian Flying Corps); b. wreath on a flower-covered object (possibly a part of Watson's plane?)Portrait Studio, 131 Chapel St. Balaclavaperson, individual, basil watson

Collection of 6 photos re 50th Anniversary of Basil Watson's airmail flight, Mt Gambier to Melbourne. Handwritten notes on reverse of each photo - photos taken by Mrs V I Perkin, sister of Basil Watson.person, individual, basil watson

Miscellaneous cards and images (largely aircraft and Basil Watson related): a. Postcard of a seaplane over water with printed message on reverse: 'Dear Sir, -- You will no doubt be interested to know that Mr. Basil Watson will be giving a Series of Flights, including Looping the Loop, Nose Diving. ' No recipient (addressee) nor blanks filled in. b. Postcard sized engineering drawing of Supermarine P.B. 1 (end elevation); c. Postcard sized engineering drawing of Supermarine P. B. 2 (side elevation); d. humorous. Drawing on postcard (child in pram).person, individual, basil watson