Aviation Historical Society of Australia (NSW) inc

 

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 16^th 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 30^th 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 Randwick racecourse however

Maurice Guillaux flew exhibition flights OVER Randwick racecourse in May 1914.

 

Ref: http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/28116257?searchTerm=Maurice Guillaux Randwick&searchLimits=

 

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 19^th to the 25^th 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 Randwick&searchLimits=

 

Ref: http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/119897035?searchTerm=Harry Hawker Randwick&searchLimits=

 

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 France and French patriotic institutions.

 

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 France and French patriotic institutions.

 

See attachments in email.