Aviation Historical Society of
Air Mail Centenary Commemoration Group
Okay, these are long bows, but here’s what we know:
Mr Arthur Rickard, a Real Estate developer who was
one of the sponsors of the flight on the 16th of July, had approached
the AJC requesting permission to use the racecourse for “aviation purposes” but
was refused. Minutes of the Committee
Meeting held on 30th April 1914 reference this. See email attachments.
Reference of Mr Arthur Rickard:
Ref: http://www.powerhousemuseum.com/collection/database/?irn=288461
The 1914 inaugural mail flight did not land at
Maurice Guillaux flew exhibition flights OVER
Ref: http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/28116257?searchTerm=Maurice
Guillaux
He landed at Victoria Park Racecourse (which
unfortunately was not controlled by the AJC) but is a racecourse nevertheless.
Ref: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victoria_Park_Racecourse,_Sydney
From the 19th to the 25th of February
that same year (1914) aviator Harry Hawker flew some demonstration flights in
his Sopwith Tabloid biplane from Randwick Racecourse which drew a crowd of
almost 30,000, so there was a great interest in aviation that year.
Ref: http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/120362599?searchTerm=Harry
Hawker
Ref: http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/119897035?searchTerm=Harry
Hawker
ATC
Relationship with French Government –
In
the ATC Heritage Collection we have a Commemorative Medal from the French
Government dated 1915.
It
was awarded to the AJC by the French Government in recognition of exceptional
services rendered to the cause of
It
is a silver round medallion that is embossed on both sides with images and
text. On the reverse is a crowing rooster with text above it, an inscribed
plaque below it and a foliate pattern on each side. The text above the roosters
says "Journee Francaise - Secours National, 1915, Hippolyte
Lefervre". On the obverse is a classical scene with soldiers in the
background and five figures in the foreground surrounded by text. The text says
"Patrie, Australian Jockey Club, Sydney".
The whole is set in a green leather case with green satin and velvet lining.
The inscriptions indicate that the medal was conferred on the AJC by the French
Government in recognition of exceptional services rendered to the cause of
See attachments in email.