black and white photograph, C1917

Historical information

The pilot is more than likely Flt Lieut. Jim Nixon with his Spad aircraft during WW1. James Harold Claude Nixon was born 12/12/1890 and before enlisting in the Australian Imperial Force was an auctioneer at Delegate. After training at Aldershot for the Royal Flying Corps he was granted an Aviators Certificate (No. 4607) by the Royal Aero Club. ( more reading in "From White Knowle to Pumpkin Point" by Peter Nixon)

Significance

The Nixon family was a prominent family in the history of Orbost and its surrounds.

Physical description

A black / white photograph of a man in uniform standing next to a small fighter plane (a biplane). There are two copies and a letter from Peter Nixon with this photograph.

Inscriptions & markings

handwritten on back - "Since writing that letter of grief, found now that I am going out to fly the Spad Scout which photo you see here.
I am going across tomorrow morning so will not be long to know what ariel (sic) warfare is like now. I am in the best of health & happy as a lark.
This is all I have to say with lots of love from your son
Jim"

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