Glenelg foundation stone of St Michael's War Chapel laid by Sir Ross Smith KBE MC DFC AFC
ROSS SMITH MEMORIAL. THE UNVEILING ON SATURDAY
The Ross Smith Memorial in Creswell Gardens perpetuates a nation's admiration for South Australia's "most distinguished son," as the Lieutenant-Governor termed Sir Ross Smith on Saturday.
As the Lieutenant-Governor (Sir George Murray) was unveiling the memorial, the drone of circling aeroplanes recalled the deeds with which Sir Ross Smith won distinction as the first Australian air pilot in Palestine during the war, and carried the thoughts of the spectators back to the 12,000 miles pioneer flight with which the Smith brothers and their mechanics placed the seal of achievement on an audacious ambition.
With the face of Sir Ross Smith's figure to the rising sun, the statue is placed between the pathway to the Adelaide Oval entrance and the bank of the Torrens. To a large crowd of people the Lieutenant-Governor told how Sir Ross Smith had his mind turned to aviation from the time he landed in Egypt, and how he became the most famous pilot and observer in the East. His was the only aeroplane to take part in Lord Allenby's triumphal march into Cairo after the war.
In a letter to his mother during the war he spoke of the joy he would experience in flying straight to Australia to take Mr P Waite for a flight to Mutooroo Station, probably the germ of the famous enterprise.
Dr A A Lendon related Sir Ross Smith's desire, expressed to his mother during his last visit to Adelaide, that a monument to the Third Light Horse should occupy the place chosen for his own. The doctor went on to point out how fitting it was that the Ross Smith memorial should be placed there, and associated that gallant corps with it.
Sir George Murray was also filling the position of Lieutenant-Governor when Sir Ross Smith reached Adelaide after the flight, and at the time the aviator was killed while preparing for a flight around the world and his performance of the ceremony on Saturday was a natural completion of such notable coincidences. The time of the ceremony was an inconvenient one, but the crowd which assembled testified to the place Sir Ross Smith occupied in public esteem. At the conclusion of the ceremony there was a general movement inward to inspect the statuary, admiration of which was openly expressed. A guard of honour was provided by Queen's School, the present pupils of which were thus linked with a former scholar, whose name has become imperishable. [Ref: Register 12-12-1927]
Sir Ross Macpherson Smith KBE, MC & Bar, DFC & Two Bars, AFC was an Australian aviator. He and his brother, Sir Keith Macpherson Smith, were the first pilots to fly from England to Australia, in 1919.
The brothers were born on 20 December 1890 in Adelaide, and on 4 December 1892 at Semaphore, Adelaide, sons of Scottish-born Andrew Bell Smith, station manager, and his wife Jessie, née Macpherson, born in Western Australia. In 1897 Andrew Smith became the manager of the Mutooroo Pastoral Co. and Mutooroo station, a property of some 3000 sq. miles (7700 km²). Both Keith and Ross were educated at Queen's School, Adelaide (as boarders), and for two years at Warriston School, Moffat, Scotland, their father's birthplace.
Ross Smith had served in the cadets and the militia before he left Australia as a sergeant in the 3rd Light Horse Regiment in October 1914: he was at Gallipoli the following year. He was later commissioned and was at the battle of Romani (in the Sinai) in August 1916. The next year he volunteered for the Australian Flying Corps.
Flying with No 1 Squadron AFC, Smith took part in attacks, aerial photography missions, and bombing raids on Turkish forces. On one occasion he landed in the face of the enemy to rescue a downed comrade. During his extensive war service he was twice awarded the Military Cross, received the Distinguished Flying Cross three times, as well as the Air Force Cross.
A gifted flyer, Smith became experienced in flying his squadron’s twin-engined Handley Page 0/400 bomber: on occasion Lawrence of Arabia was his passenger. While still with the flying corps, he made pioneering flights from Cairo to Calcutta, and from Calcutta to Timor.
On 12 November 1919, assisted by his brother Keith and two mechanics, Wally Shiers and Jim Bennett, he set out to fly from England to Australia in a large Vickers Vimy bomber. It was an epic 28 day flight, completed at an average speed of 137 kilometres per hour, but not without mishap. On their arrival, the pioneering flyers were welcomed home as national heroes. The brothers were knighted. Their mechanics were commissioned and awarded Bars to their Air Force Medals. The £10,000 reward offered by the South Australian Government was divided into four equal shares.
In April 1922, while preparing for a record breaking around the world flight, Smith and Bennett were killed in a crash. Keith Smith witnessed the death of his brother, who was not yet 30. Their famous Vimy aircraft was displayed at the Australian War Memorial, but is now in the Smiths’ home town of Adelaide.
Flight of 1919
In a Vickers Vimy (a type similiar to the 0/400 bomber), supplied by the manufacturer, and with Keith as assistant pilot and navigator and accompanied by two mechanics, the attempt began from Hounslow, England, on 12 November 1919. Flying conditions were very poor and most hazardous until they reached Basra on 22 November. From Basra to Delhi, a distance of 1600 miles (2575 km), they spent 25½ hours in the air out of 54. A poor landing-area at Singora and torrential rain almost brought disaster on 3 December. Disaster again almost came at Sourabaya where the aircraft was bogged and had to take off from an improvised airstrip made of bamboo mats. By 9 December, however, they were at Timor, only 350 miles (563 km) from Darwin. The crossing was made next day and at 3.50 p.m. on 10 December they landed in Darwin. The distance covered in this epic flight was 11,340 miles (18,250 km). It took just under 28 days with an actual flying time of 135 hours at an average speed of 85 mph (137 kmph).
SIR ROSS SMITH'S ARRIVAL
According to the latest official information Sir Ross Smith and his party are expected to arrive in Adelaide on Thursday afternoon next, assuming that the overhaul of the aeroplane proves to be satisfactory. After the aviators have flown over the metropolitan area, including Malvern, Hawthorn, Unley, Henley Beach, Port Adelaide, Woodville, Norwood, and Goodwood, they will soar above soar above Gilberton and Prospect, and thence proceed to the Northfield aerodrome, escorted by whatever aeroplanes may be able to meet them.
At the aerodrome they will be met by their parents and the official party, including the members of the Welcome Committee—the Premier (Hon A H Peake), who is Chairman, the Lord Mayor of Adelaide (Mr F B Moulden), the District Commandant (Brig-Gen Antill CB CMG), the Director of the Tourist Bureau (Mr V H Ryan), the secretary of the committee, and the secretary of the Aero Club (Captain Matthews).
The Premier has asked that the time of the arrival of the aviators shall be as nearly as possible 2.30pm.
The District Commandant, with the aid of the police and members of the Australian Army Reserve, will keep the enclosure at Northfield clear.
After the greeting and formal introductions there the party will proceed to the city. From St Peter’s Cathedral they will be escorted by mounted police, and on arriving at Parliament House, where the Returned Soldiers' Association Band will be in attendance, addresses of welcome will be delivered by the Lieutenant-Governor (Sir George Murray) and the Premier.
In the evening Sir Ross and Sir Keith Smith will be entertained by their old comrades of the 3rd Light Horse at the Town Hall: on the following day there will be a civic reception by the Lord Mayor. The Welcome Committee desires particularly to warn the public against the danger of crowding the enclosure at Northfield, and points out that the machine will not come to a full stop immediately it reaches the ground. [Ref: Journal (Adelaide) 13-3-1920]
SIR ROSS SMITH IN ADELAIDE
Sir Ross and Sir Keith Smith were given a civic reception this morning. The Lord Mayor (Mr F B Moulden) said that in the Smith family there were three sons, and all enlisted: in the Shiers family six sons, and five enlisted, while the other mechanic, Sergeant Bennett, was an only son. The Lord Mayor handed to Sir Ross Smith an address of welcome and congratulations from the inhabitants of the Northern Territory. [Ref: Argus (Melbourne) 25-3-1920]
ROUND of FESTIVITIES
Sir Ross and Sir Keith Smith spent a quiet morning, although the telephone to their home has been ringing almost continuously with messages of congratulation from friends and strangers.
They spent yesterday afternoon inspecting the Vickers-Vimy at Northfield, where a military picket of 12 men is posted to protect the machine.
This afternoon the aviators are being entertained by the Commonwealth Club. A tremendous crowd was present, and the reception to the guests lasted for several minutes. Tonight their friends are giving them a private dance in a large city hall.
Mr F B Moulden, the Lord Mayor is arranging a party in their honour at the Town Hall on Monday.
On Saturday afternoon Sir Ross Smith will lay the foundation stone of the War Chapel at St Peter's Church, Glenelg.
Sir Keith Smith goes to the races on that day. [Ref: Herald (Melbourne) 25-3-1920]
THE ROSS SMITH SEASON
The Adelaide Town Hall has been too limited in capacity for intending patrons, many of whom have been unable to gain admission to hear the story and see the films of “The Great Flight”.
The programme is divided into two sections, the first being from Darwin to Adelaide, photographed from the Vickers-Vimy by Captain Frank Hurley. In the second half Sir Ross Smith relates his experiences in racy vein between the 'story' with screen illustrations.
No one returning to Adelaide has ever been given a more enthusiastic ovation than Sir Ross Smith received on Monday night. [Ref: Register 10-5-1920]
Sir Ross Smith will make his final appearance in Adelaide at the St Peters Town Hall, on Thursday night prior to leaving on Friday for Tasmania. The story of the flight will be told for the last time in South Australia, and as Sir Keith and Sir Ross will be leaving for England early in August there is no likely return visit of the flight pictures in Adelaide.
The plan of reserve seats [is] at Dorling’s Sweet Shop, next to the Town Hall, St Peters. [Ref: Daily Herald 26-5-1920]
SHY AUSTRALIA FLIERS. Two rather shy-looking young men, bronzed and smiling (states The London Daily Mail of February 24), yesterday received endless congratulations from unknown people, autographed menu cards, and made two speeches— “more dangerous” they said, 'than flying to Australia’.
They were Sir Ross Smith and his brother, Sir Keith Smith— both of Adelaide— who flew to Australia in 1919 and were entertained at luncheon yesterday by the Overseas Club and Patriotic League at The Hyde Park Hotel. Memories of their romantic 11,000 miles journey were recalled when they spoke. With hardly a reference to their difficulties, both of them spoke in the first breath of their two mechanics, and avowed they would never have “got through” without them. When Sir Keith Smith mentioned his father and mother, who were waiting for them in their own home at the end of the journey, applause drowned the rest of the sentence.
Major-Gen Seely, who presided, recalled that the Air Ministry classified the day on which the brothers left England (November 12 1919) as “Class 5” which meant it was totally unfit for flying. [Ref: Register 5-4-1921]
Flight of 1922
The next proposal, to fly round the world in a Vickers Viking amphibian, ended in disaster. Both brothers travelled to England to prepare for the trip and on 13 April 1922, while Ross and his long-serving crew member Bennett were test flying the aircraft at Weybridge near London, it spun into the ground from 1000 feet (305 m), killing both. Keith, who arrived late for the test flight witnessed the accident. The flight was abandoned. The bodies of Sir Ross Smith and Lieutenant Bennett were brought home to Australia.
SIR ROSS SMITH
BODY TAKEN TO ADELAIDE
Wednesday—The Commonwealth liner ‘Largs Bay’ has brought home the bodies of Sir Ross Smith and Lieutenant Bennett. Sir Keith Smith was present at the Outer Harbor to watch the landing of the casket containing his brother's remains. Both bodies were conveyed from London in the forward hold of the vessel, but were kept separate from the cargo.
The casket holding the embalmed body of Sir Ross Smith was encased in a lead coffin, on the outside of which was a wooden case to prevent damage. Both coffins were under the direct care of the ship’s officers.
There was a large gathering on the wharf when the ship's siren gave a salute as the casket was lifted from the hold. As it came into the view of the crowd, draped with the Australian flag, every head was bared, and silence prevailed as it was lowered to the wharf. A band of sailors from the ship bore the coffin to the conveyance which was to take it to St Peter's Cathedral.
The first floral tribute to the dead hero from this State was a bunch of red geraniums, which was put on the coffin as a mark of respect from the sailors at the Outer Harbor. The flags on all the vessels and buildings at the harbor were at half-mast. No ceremony was attached to the conveyance to Adelaide of the coffin. After it had been removed from the case it was transferred to a hearse and was taken to the cathedral.
Although the public had been notified that there would be no admission to the cathedral until three o'clock in the afternoon a number of people had collected in the vicinity.
The Dean of Adelaide met a small official procession at the cathedral gates. Inside the building the precentor (Dr Milne) and Archdeacon Bussell preceded the coffin to a position between the choir stalls, where trestles had been placed to receive it. The coffin is of oak, lead lined and sealed, and bears the following inscription:
"Captain Sir Ross Macpherson Smith, KBE, MC, DFC, AFC died at Brooklands, 13th April, 1923 aged 29 years."
Nearly 30 airmen will participate in the funeral. [Ref: Recorder (Port Pirie) 15-6-1922]
THE LATE SIR ROSS SMITH
FUNERAL IN ADELAÏDE TODAY
THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE ATTEND
Adelaide. Thursday.
General Leane represented Lord Forster, the Governor-General, at the late Sir Ross Smith's funeral in Adelaide today. Thousands of people viewed the body lying in state at the Cathedral yesterday, and thousands watched the funeral procession today The city was deserted. The public offices, business places, and hotels were closed. The Town Hall bells were tolled, and flags were at half-mast. Mr Bickersteth, headmaster at St. Peter's College, delivered a brief address. Seventy Australian airmen participated. An aircraft trailer was used to carry the coffin and another carried the flowers.
The firing party at the graveside consisted of 40 men.
Three military aeroplanes flew over the route as the procession was making its way to the cemetery.
The interment was in the North-road cemetery, the grave being dug in a plot of green lawn close to the entrance of the picturesque little chapel. [Ref: Barrier Miner (Broken Hill) 15-6-1922]
LAID TO REST
SIR ROSS SMITH'S FUNERAL
The remains of Sir Ross Macpherson Smith, aviator and soldier, were laid to rest this afternoon in soil of his beloved homeland. Enormous crowds of sorrowing people assembled in the vicinity of St. Peter's Cathedral and thronged the route to the North Road Anglican Cemetery, desiring to pay a last tribute of respect to the memory of the illustrious airman. At the Cathedral the solemn service of mourning was held, immediately after which the body was borne from the edifice by members of the Royal Australian Flying Corps and placed on an aeroplane trailer at the head of the State Funeral cortege, which was of unprecedented dimensions.
From an early hour this morning a continuous procession of thousands of people filed quietly and sadly past the body as it lay in state in the Cathedral, draped with the British colours and guarded by members of the RAFC with arms reversed.
At the Cathedral the service, which was of a most impressive character, was conducted by Dean Young, and was attended by Mr and Mrs Andrew Smith, parents of Sir Ross Smith, and also by Mr and Mrs John Fordyce, of Melbourne (uncle and aunt of the deceased), and Sir Keith Smith and Lieutenant W Shiers, who flew with Sir Ross and Lieutenant Bennett to Australia in the Vickers Vimy. There was a fine muster of Sir Ross Smith's former comrades in the Third Light Horse, and other branches of the AIF.
We are not unmindful of his comrade, Lieutenant Bennett, who died with him, and whose body is to be laid to rest on Saturday, in Melbourne. [Ref: Daily Telegraph (Sydney) 16-6-1922]
Glenelg foundation stone of St Michael's War Chapel laid by Sir Ross Smith KBE MC DFC AFC
ROSS SMITH MEMORIAL. THE UNVEILING ON SATURDAY
The Ross Smith Memorial in Creswell Gardens perpetuates a nation's admiration for South Australia's "most distinguished son," as the Lieutenant-Governor termed Sir Ross Smith on Saturday.
As the Lieutenant-Governor (Sir George Murray) was unveiling the memorial, the drone of circling aeroplanes recalled the deeds with which Sir Ross Smith won distinction as the first Australian air pilot in Palestine during the war, and carried the thoughts of the spectators back to the 12,000 miles pioneer flight with which the Smith brothers and their mechanics placed the seal of achievement on an audacious ambition.
With the face of Sir Ross Smith's figure to the rising sun, the statue is placed between the pathway to the Adelaide Oval entrance and the bank of the Torrens. To a large crowd of people the Lieutenant-Governor told how Sir Ross Smith had his mind turned to aviation from the time he landed in Egypt, and how he became the most famous pilot and observer in the East. His was the only aeroplane to take part in Lord Allenby's triumphal march into Cairo after the war.
In a letter to his mother during the war he spoke of the joy he would experience in flying straight to Australia to take Mr P Waite for a flight to Mutooroo Station, probably the germ of the famous enterprise.
Dr A A Lendon related Sir Ross Smith's desire, expressed to his mother during his last visit to Adelaide, that a monument to the Third Light Horse should occupy the place chosen for his own. The doctor went on to point out how fitting it was that the Ross Smith memorial should be placed there, and associated that gallant corps with it.
Sir George Murray was also filling the position of Lieutenant-Governor when Sir Ross Smith reached Adelaide after the flight, and at the time the aviator was killed while preparing for a flight around the world and his performance of the ceremony on Saturday was a natural completion of such notable coincidences. The time of the ceremony was an inconvenient one, but the crowd which assembled testified to the place Sir Ross Smith occupied in public esteem. At the conclusion of the ceremony there was a general movement inward to inspect the statuary, admiration of which was openly expressed. A guard of honour was provided by Queen's School, the present pupils of which were thus linked with a former scholar, whose name has become imperishable. [Ref: Register 12-12-1927]
Sir Ross Macpherson Smith KBE, MC & Bar, DFC & Two Bars, AFC was an Australian aviator. He and his brother, Sir Keith Macpherson Smith, were the first pilots to fly from England to Australia, in 1919.
The brothers were born on 20 December 1890 in Adelaide, and on 4 December 1892 at Semaphore, Adelaide, sons of Scottish-born Andrew Bell Smith, station manager, and his wife Jessie, née Macpherson, born in Western Australia. In 1897 Andrew Smith became the manager of the Mutooroo Pastoral Co. and Mutooroo station, a property of some 3000 sq. miles (7700 km²). Both Keith and Ross were educated at Queen's School, Adelaide (as boarders), and for two years at Warriston School, Moffat, Scotland, their father's birthplace.
Ross Smith had served in the cadets and the militia before he left Australia as a sergeant in the 3rd Light Horse Regiment in October 1914: he was at Gallipoli the following year. He was later commissioned and was at the battle of Romani (in the Sinai) in August 1916. The next year he volunteered for the Australian Flying Corps.
Flying with No 1 Squadron AFC, Smith took part in attacks, aerial photography missions, and bombing raids on Turkish forces. On one occasion he landed in the face of the enemy to rescue a downed comrade. During his extensive war service he was twice awarded the Military Cross, received the Distinguished Flying Cross three times, as well as the Air Force Cross.
A gifted flyer, Smith became experienced in flying his squadron’s twin-engined Handley Page 0/400 bomber: on occasion Lawrence of Arabia was his passenger. While still with the flying corps, he made pioneering flights from Cairo to Calcutta, and from Calcutta to Timor.
On 12 November 1919, assisted by his brother Keith and two mechanics, Wally Shiers and Jim Bennett, he set out to fly from England to Australia in a large Vickers Vimy bomber. It was an epic 28 day flight, completed at an average speed of 137 kilometres per hour, but not without mishap. On their arrival, the pioneering flyers were welcomed home as national heroes. The brothers were knighted. Their mechanics were commissioned and awarded Bars to their Air Force Medals. The £10,000 reward offered by the South Australian Government was divided into four equal shares.
In April 1922, while preparing for a record breaking around the world flight, Smith and Bennett were killed in a crash. Keith Smith witnessed the death of his brother, who was not yet 30. Their famous Vimy aircraft was displayed at the Australian War Memorial, but is now in the Smiths’ home town of Adelaide.
Flight of 1919
In a Vickers Vimy (a type similiar to the 0/400 bomber), supplied by the manufacturer, and with Keith as assistant pilot and navigator and accompanied by two mechanics, the attempt began from Hounslow, England, on 12 November 1919. Flying conditions were very poor and most hazardous until they reached Basra on 22 November. From Basra to Delhi, a distance of 1600 miles (2575 km), they spent 25½ hours in the air out of 54. A poor landing-area at Singora and torrential rain almost brought disaster on 3 December. Disaster again almost came at Sourabaya where the aircraft was bogged and had to take off from an improvised airstrip made of bamboo mats. By 9 December, however, they were at Timor, only 350 miles (563 km) from Darwin. The crossing was made next day and at 3.50 p.m. on 10 December they landed in Darwin. The distance covered in this epic flight was 11,340 miles (18,250 km). It took just under 28 days with an actual flying time of 135 hours at an average speed of 85 mph (137 kmph).
SIR ROSS SMITH'S ARRIVAL
According to the latest official information Sir Ross Smith and his party are expected to arrive in Adelaide on Thursday afternoon next, assuming that the overhaul of the aeroplane proves to be satisfactory. After the aviators have flown over the metropolitan area, including Malvern, Hawthorn, Unley, Henley Beach, Port Adelaide, Woodville, Norwood, and Goodwood, they will soar above soar above Gilberton and Prospect, and thence proceed to the Northfield aerodrome, escorted by whatever aeroplanes may be able to meet them.
At the aerodrome they will be met by their parents and the official party, including the members of the Welcome Committee—the Premier (Hon A H Peake), who is Chairman, the Lord Mayor of Adelaide (Mr F B Moulden), the District Commandant (Brig-Gen Antill CB CMG), the Director of the Tourist Bureau (Mr V H Ryan), the secretary of the committee, and the secretary of the Aero Club (Captain Matthews).
The Premier has asked that the time of the arrival of the aviators shall be as nearly as possible 2.30pm.
The District Commandant, with the aid of the police and members of the Australian Army Reserve, will keep the enclosure at Northfield clear.
After the greeting and formal introductions there the party will proceed to the city. From St Peter’s Cathedral they will be escorted by mounted police, and on arriving at Parliament House, where the Returned Soldiers' Association Band will be in attendance, addresses of welcome will be delivered by the Lieutenant-Governor (Sir George Murray) and the Premier.
In the evening Sir Ross and Sir Keith Smith will be entertained by their old comrades of the 3rd Light Horse at the Town Hall: on the following day there will be a civic reception by the Lord Mayor. The Welcome Committee desires particularly to warn the public against the danger of crowding the enclosure at Northfield, and points out that the machine will not come to a full stop immediately it reaches the ground. [Ref: Journal (Adelaide) 13-3-1920]
SIR ROSS SMITH IN ADELAIDE
Sir Ross and Sir Keith Smith were given a civic reception this morning. The Lord Mayor (Mr F B Moulden) said that in the Smith family there were three sons, and all enlisted: in the Shiers family six sons, and five enlisted, while the other mechanic, Sergeant Bennett, was an only son. The Lord Mayor handed to Sir Ross Smith an address of welcome and congratulations from the inhabitants of the Northern Territory. [Ref: Argus (Melbourne) 25-3-1920]
ROUND of FESTIVITIES
Sir Ross and Sir Keith Smith spent a quiet morning, although the telephone to their home has been ringing almost continuously with messages of congratulation from friends and strangers.
They spent yesterday afternoon inspecting the Vickers-Vimy at Northfield, where a military picket of 12 men is posted to protect the machine.
This afternoon the aviators are being entertained by the Commonwealth Club. A tremendous crowd was present, and the reception to the guests lasted for several minutes. Tonight their friends are giving them a private dance in a large city hall.
Mr F B Moulden, the Lord Mayor is arranging a party in their honour at the Town Hall on Monday.
On Saturday afternoon Sir Ross Smith will lay the foundation stone of the War Chapel at St Peter's Church, Glenelg.
Sir Keith Smith goes to the races on that day. [Ref: Herald (Melbourne) 25-3-1920]
THE ROSS SMITH SEASON
The Adelaide Town Hall has been too limited in capacity for intending patrons, many of whom have been unable to gain admission to hear the story and see the films of “The Great Flight”.
The programme is divided into two sections, the first being from Darwin to Adelaide, photographed from the Vickers-Vimy by Captain Frank Hurley. In the second half Sir Ross Smith relates his experiences in racy vein between the 'story' with screen illustrations.
No one returning to Adelaide has ever been given a more enthusiastic ovation than Sir Ross Smith received on Monday night. [Ref: Register 10-5-1920]
Sir Ross Smith will make his final appearance in Adelaide at the St Peters Town Hall, on Thursday night prior to leaving on Friday for Tasmania. The story of the flight will be told for the last time in South Australia, and as Sir Keith and Sir Ross will be leaving for England early in August there is no likely return visit of the flight pictures in Adelaide.
The plan of reserve seats [is] at Dorling’s Sweet Shop, next to the Town Hall, St Peters. [Ref: Daily Herald 26-5-1920]
SHY AUSTRALIA FLIERS. Two rather shy-looking young men, bronzed and smiling (states The London Daily Mail of February 24), yesterday received endless congratulations from unknown people, autographed menu cards, and made two speeches— “more dangerous” they said, 'than flying to Australia’.
They were Sir Ross Smith and his brother, Sir Keith Smith— both of Adelaide— who flew to Australia in 1919 and were entertained at luncheon yesterday by the Overseas Club and Patriotic League at The Hyde Park Hotel. Memories of their romantic 11,000 miles journey were recalled when they spoke. With hardly a reference to their difficulties, both of them spoke in the first breath of their two mechanics, and avowed they would never have “got through” without them. When Sir Keith Smith mentioned his father and mother, who were waiting for them in their own home at the end of the journey, applause drowned the rest of the sentence.
Major-Gen Seely, who presided, recalled that the Air Ministry classified the day on which the brothers left England (November 12 1919) as “Class 5” which meant it was totally unfit for flying. [Ref: Register 5-4-1921]
Flight of 1922
The next proposal, to fly round the world in a Vickers Viking amphibian, ended in disaster. Both brothers travelled to England to prepare for the trip and on 13 April 1922, while Ross and his long-serving crew member Bennett were test flying the aircraft at Weybridge near London, it spun into the ground from 1000 feet (305 m), killing both. Keith, who arrived late for the test flight witnessed the accident. The flight was abandoned. The bodies of Sir Ross Smith and Lieutenant Bennett were brought home to Australia.
SIR ROSS SMITH
BODY TAKEN TO ADELAIDE
Wednesday—The Commonwealth liner ‘Largs Bay’ has brought home the bodies of Sir Ross Smith and Lieutenant Bennett. Sir Keith Smith was present at the Outer Harbor to watch the landing of the casket containing his brother's remains. Both bodies were conveyed from London in the forward hold of the vessel, but were kept separate from the cargo.
The casket holding the embalmed body of Sir Ross Smith was encased in a lead coffin, on the outside of which was a wooden case to prevent damage. Both coffins were under the direct care of the ship’s officers.
There was a large gathering on the wharf when the ship's siren gave a salute as the casket was lifted from the hold. As it came into the view of the crowd, draped with the Australian flag, every head was bared, and silence prevailed as it was lowered to the wharf. A band of sailors from the ship bore the coffin to the conveyance which was to take it to St Peter's Cathedral.
The first floral tribute to the dead hero from this State was a bunch of red geraniums, which was put on the coffin as a mark of respect from the sailors at the Outer Harbor. The flags on all the vessels and buildings at the harbor were at half-mast. No ceremony was attached to the conveyance to Adelaide of the coffin. After it had been removed from the case it was transferred to a hearse and was taken to the cathedral.
Although the public had been notified that there would be no admission to the cathedral until three o'clock in the afternoon a number of people had collected in the vicinity.
The Dean of Adelaide met a small official procession at the cathedral gates. Inside the building the precentor (Dr Milne) and Archdeacon Bussell preceded the coffin to a position between the choir stalls, where trestles had been placed to receive it. The coffin is of oak, lead lined and sealed, and bears the following inscription:
"Captain Sir Ross Macpherson Smith, KBE, MC, DFC, AFC died at Brooklands, 13th April, 1923 aged 29 years."
Nearly 30 airmen will participate in the funeral. [Ref: Recorder (Port Pirie) 15-6-1922]
THE LATE SIR ROSS SMITH
FUNERAL IN ADELAÏDE TODAY
THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE ATTEND
Adelaide. Thursday.
General Leane represented Lord Forster, the Governor-General, at the late Sir Ross Smith's funeral in Adelaide today. Thousands of people viewed the body lying in state at the Cathedral yesterday, and thousands watched the funeral procession today The city was deserted. The public offices, business places, and hotels were closed. The Town Hall bells were tolled, and flags were at half-mast. Mr Bickersteth, headmaster at St. Peter's College, delivered a brief address. Seventy Australian airmen participated. An aircraft trailer was used to carry the coffin and another carried the flowers.
The firing party at the graveside consisted of 40 men.
Three military aeroplanes flew over the route as the procession was making its way to the cemetery.
The interment was in the North-road cemetery, the grave being dug in a plot of green lawn close to the entrance of the picturesque little chapel. [Ref: Barrier Miner (Broken Hill) 15-6-1922]
LAID TO REST
SIR ROSS SMITH'S FUNERAL
The remains of Sir Ross Macpherson Smith, aviator and soldier, were laid to rest this afternoon in soil of his beloved homeland. Enormous crowds of sorrowing people assembled in the vicinity of St. Peter's Cathedral and thronged the route to the North Road Anglican Cemetery, desiring to pay a last tribute of respect to the memory of the illustrious airman. At the Cathedral the solemn service of mourning was held, immediately after which the body was borne from the edifice by members of the Royal Australian Flying Corps and placed on an aeroplane trailer at the head of the State Funeral cortege, which was of unprecedented dimensions.
From an early hour this morning a continuous procession of thousands of people filed quietly and sadly past the body as it lay in state in the Cathedral, draped with the British colours and guarded by members of the RAFC with arms reversed.
At the Cathedral the service, which was of a most impressive character, was conducted by Dean Young, and was attended by Mr and Mrs Andrew Smith, parents of Sir Ross Smith, and also by Mr and Mrs John Fordyce, of Melbourne (uncle and aunt of the deceased), and Sir Keith Smith and Lieutenant W Shiers, who flew with Sir Ross and Lieutenant Bennett to Australia in the Vickers Vimy. There was a fine muster of Sir Ross Smith's former comrades in the Third Light Horse, and other branches of the AIF.
We are not unmindful of his comrade, Lieutenant Bennett, who died with him, and whose body is to be laid to rest on Saturday, in Melbourne. [Ref: Daily Telegraph (Sydney) 16-6-1922]