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Miniature group of eight awarded to Qantas co-founder Sir…
Sale Title:
Auction House:
Auction Location:
Melbourne
Date:
1-Apr-2012
Lot No.
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Description:
Miniature group of eight awarded to Qantas co-founder Sir Wilmot Hudson Fysh mounted on display bar: KBE, DFC, 1914-15 star, British War Medal, Victory medal with oak leaf, Jubilee medal 1935, King George VI 1937 Coronation medal and Queen Elizabeth II 1953 Coronation medal; in case with other related memorabilia: - corresponding riband bar to miniatures and another version showing four ribbons including DFC - eight sections of ribbon for full size examples of the medals' - RFC cap badge - section of emu feather probably taken from Australian Light Horse slouch hat - Epaulette from summer uniform to World War I Lieutenant, AFC including AIF button, two officer's pips, 'AFC' badge, curved 'Australia' badge, underside of eppaulette inscribed in black ink 'No.415 Whf' - copy of 'Qantas Rising, the Autobiography of Hudson Fysh' by Fysh, with inscription to title page ' to Peggy Alexander with love from the Author, your brother 16 November 1965' Provenance: Peggy Alexander, Hudson Fysh's sister. Other Notes Sir Wilmot Hudson Fysh KBE, DFC (1895-1974) Aviator and Businessman Co-founded Qantas with Paul McGinness and Fergus McMaster in 1920. Fysh and McGuiness met in the Royal flying Corps during World War I and Fysh became McGinness' gunner in a Bristol Fighter. He was an observer ace, responsible for downing five enemy aircraft in 1919 he was recommended for the Distinguished flying cross, after the war, Fysh and McGinness reunited to enter the great Air Race. a prize of Au$10,000 was on offer to the first Australians to complete a flight from Great Britain to Australia in less than 720 hours before midnight on 31 December, 1919. However their financial backer died before the start of the race, so without an 'roplane they were forced to withdraw, their involvement in the race did continue when they were commissioned by the Defence Department to survey suitable landing sites for the race, from Longreach in Queensland to Darwin in the Northern Territory. It was during this period that the plans for a local air service began to form, the two aviators realised that there was huge potential for a local commercial air service but needed to raise significant funds to get the project off the ground, with sufficient funds in place Qantas was formed on 16 November, 1920. Fysh became managing director in 1923 and continued to fly for the Company until the 1930s. at the end of World War I Qantas was purchased by the Australian government. Fysh was appointed chairman and retired in 1966. Fysh was an accomplished writer of aviation history and continued to write after his retirement. He died in Paddington in 1974.
Estimate:
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Price:
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Category:
Militaria & Weapons: Medals, Badges, Insignia