 |
| |
| Name: |
Wilmot Hudson Fysh |
|
| Country: |
Australia |
| Rank: |
Lieutenant |
| Service: |
Australian Flying Corps
Royal Air Force |
| Units: |
1 (AFC)
67 (RAF) |
| Victories: |
5 |
| Born: |
07 January 1895 |
| Place of Birth: |
Launceston, Tasmania |
| Died: |
06 April 1974 |
| Place of Death: |
Sydney |
|
| |
The grand-nephew of Sir Philip Oakley Fysh, the 12th premier of Tasmania, Sir Wilmot Hudson Fysh worked in the wool trade before the war. He served with the 3rd Light Horse Regiment at Gallipoli before he transferred to the Australian Flying Corps in July 1917. Posted to the Middle East, he scored 5 victories as an observer flying Bristol Fighters. Postwar, he co-founded Australia's international airline, the Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Services (QANTAS), with Paul McGinness. He was managing director of the company from 1923 until 1955 and chairman from 1947, when Qantas was acquired by the Australian government, until he retired in 1966. He was knighted in 1953. |
|
|
|
| |
| Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) |
"Lieut. Hudson Fysh (Australian F.C.). (EGYPT)
A skilful observer, conspicuous for courage and determination, whether engaging the enemy in the air or attacking ground targets. He has taken part in numerous combats resulting in loss to the enemy, and has inflicted serious damage on hostile camps and aerodromes." Supplement to the London Gazette, 8 February 1919 (31170/2039) |
|
| |
| Victories |
|
Date |
Time |
Unit |
Aircraft |
Opponent |
Location |
| 1 |
23 Jan 1918 |
0800 |
1 (AFC) |
Bristol Fighter (A7237) 1 |
Albatros D.V (OOC) |
SE of Bireh |
| 2 |
03 Aug 1918 |
1210 |
1 (AFC) |
Bristol Fighter (B1223) 2 |
Albatros C (DES) 3 |
NE of Ez Duba |
| 3 |
31 Aug 1918 |
1430 |
1 (AFC) |
Bristol Fighter (C4623) 2 |
LVG C (CAP) |
Rantieh |
| 4 |
31 Aug 1918 |
1440 |
1 (AFC) |
Bristol Fighter (C4623) 2 |
LVG C (DES) |
E of Kalkilieh |
| 5 |
14 Sep 1918 |
1130 |
1 (AFC) |
Bristol Fighter (C4623) 2 |
Rumpler C (FTL/DES) 4 |
E of Jenin |
|
| 1 |
Pilot Capt SW Addison |
| 2 |
Pilot Paul McGinness |
| 3 |
Shared with Lt Edward Kenny & Leslie Sutherland |
| 4 |
Shared with Lt DR Dowling & Lt EA Mulford (B1223) |
|
|
| |
| Books |
- Flying High
- The story of Hudson Fysh, QANTAS, and the trail-blazing days of aviation; by Timothy Hall
- Henry Reed
- Van Diemen's land pioneer; by Wilmot Hudson Fysh
- Wings to the World
- The story of QANTAS, 1945-1966; by Wilmot Hudson Fysh
|
|
| |
Aces · Aircraft · Books · Forum · Guests · Help · Links · Medals · News · Search · Today
|
