Pics of Keith and Ross Smith

avandonk · #1 24-03-2006, 12:05 AM

Thought I would share this with you all.Here are a few pictures of Keith and Ross Smith after they landed in my grandparents backyard in Java . They were on their way to Australia from England in 1918 just after WW1. They won the race.
My grandmother took the pictures. This was 1918 folks.
The British Legation gave a big dinner in their honour while their propellor was being rebuilt from scratch by the local natives.
Apon being called fine British lads by the English diplomat both Keith and Ross stood up an indignantly said 'we are Australian!'
It was the main reason we came to Australia over anywhere else. These guys were not only proud of who they were, but could see a good future for themselves and their fellow Aussies.
There is more to the story but not enough room or time.

Bert

acropolite (Phil) · #2 24-03-2006, 12:59 AM

Nice pics Bert, please continue the story, aviation history is a fascinating subject.

iceman (Mike) · #3 24-03-2006, 05:46 AM

Very interesting! I'm keen to read more too!

Astroman (Andrew Wall) · #4 24-03-2006, 06:10 AM

Brilliant Bert, amazing captures of a historic event, I loved going to Adelaide airport as a young boy and look at the Vikers Vimmy Replica on display there, in honour of these two AUSSIE boys

Those pics would be well wanted in the aviation indutry I would say, especially te histrorical significance of them and the excellent condition, they would be worth a great deal of money in my opinion. Keep them very safe Bert.

h0ughy (David) · #5 24-03-2006, 07:38 AM

WOW, excellent history lesson Bert, can we get the second chapter?

fringe_dweller · #6 24-03-2006, 03:49 PM

That is seriously cool Bert
PS love the Pith helmets - those were the days!

xstream (John) · #7 24-03-2006, 04:38 PM

Great pics Bert.
I can never get enough of Aussie history, it's a pity it wasn't taught when I was in school.
Hope you continue on with the history lesson.

avandonk · #8 25-03-2006, 08:13 PM

What boring stories can I tell after that! The ground was soft and muddy and there was no way the aircraft could take off. For miles (KM) around all the bamboo blinds of every house and hovel were donated to give some sort of support for the wheels of the heavy aircraft by placing them over the soft bits of ground.
When they took off there were bits and whole blinds flying everywhere.
My grandmother said to me many years ago that when the aircraft got airborne she thanked God. I told her the blinds might have helped. She admitted to me the blinds helped but she could not resist saying that God was watching over them.

Bert