This weekend there is an air show at Edinburgh. ( I did rookie training there for WRAAF course).
It got me thinking of Edwardstown area and flying. We should be celebrating Mr Wilkins and his airstrip and hangar - for him and others interested and involved in the new 'Airplane'. At one stage this area was also in the running for the building of the first Adelaide Airport. This was in Edwardstown, but the area was then called Ackland Gardens -after the family who had owned the land on South Rd from Daws Rd.(Sweetmans Rd).
Wilkins was not only a pilot and mechanic but also one of the first aerial photographers in South Australia. He flew all around the State in his bi-plane taking thousands of photos, of land and houses, often landing nearby to sell the pictures to the property owners. He built his own gyrocopter when flight was in its infancy and anyone who could, was out to build and fly the best, and then there were races galore around the world.
In January of 1935, Arthur Wilkins flew across Edwardstown and landed on his own field. Trouble was, that people had seen the bi-plane just 'disappear' behind some trees on the land, and so an alarm was put out that the plane had crashed. Calling the Edwardstown police was no help, as there was no answer at the station - the policeman had already gone to the scene. The crowd which had raced to the scene drifted away when they saw all was well.
Arthur Wilkins airstrip and hanger was open to other pilots and planes. Other pilots used the airfield, such as in 1935 a gentleman called Gatenby was at the Wilkins airfield with his gyrocopter taking the public up for a ride for a fee. During the depression many pilots worked all over the country taking people up in the air as they tried to make enough money to keep flying.
One curious bit of history is around the Wilkins name, as there was a man called Sir George Hubert Wilkins who was born in South Australia, whereas Arthur was born in UK. George was famous for his aviation skills, the Antarctic aerodrome, and he also was a pioneer in aerial photography. I think they are related, but still trying to prove it.
The other pilot, I think about often, is a young British born lad called William (Bill) Millington who lived in Stanton St Edwardstown with his parents and sisters. The family had come to South Australia in 1926 for better health but when WW 2 began, Bill went back to England and enlisted in the RAF - 79th Squadron. This young man was one of the 'few' He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross in October 1940 for his heroism when he was wounded in a previous flight but managed to land his plane away from people and villages. He was hurt badly by the fire but when recovered went back to his squadron.
He flew in the Battle of Britain - so young - and was killed in action August 1940. A real hero. His parents and sisters staying in Edwardstown.
There is more of his ' story on a number of sites. This one is the Imperial War Museum in UK
https://www.iwm.org.uk/history/10-inspiring-stories-of-bravery-during-the-battle-of-britain
The third 'flying' anecdote is also connected to the Second World War. A lady I became very good friends with, lived in Oval Avenue, Edwardstown. Her name was Mrs Laura Reid. What a wonderful and dry sense of humour she had. And a lovely singing voice, when we all sang while riding the 190 buses to and from Unley. Such a sociable time - riding the buses - people spoke to one another, got to know one another and the bus drivers too.
Laura Elizabeth Reid was born in Scotland and met her husband there during WW2. They married in Sep 1942 - Her husband Alexander was a Corporal in the RAAF who enlisted in Jun 1940 as a rigger. He became an Air Gunner and part of a flight crew June 1941 to August 1942. When Cpl Reid was medically discharged, he and his 'War Bride' came home to Australia. They lived in Edwardstown together with their child until he died. Laura moved into a retirement village and passed away in 2010.
Wilkins was not only a pilot and mechanic but also one of the first aerial photographers in South Australia. He flew all around the State in his bi-plane taking thousands of photos, of land and houses, often landing nearby to sell the pictures to the property owners. He built his own gyrocopter when flight was in its infancy and anyone who could, was out to build and fly the best, and then there were races galore around the world.
In January of 1935, Arthur Wilkins flew across Edwardstown and landed on his own field. Trouble was, that people had seen the bi-plane just 'disappear' behind some trees on the land, and so an alarm was put out that the plane had crashed. Calling the Edwardstown police was no help, as there was no answer at the station - the policeman had already gone to the scene. The crowd which had raced to the scene drifted away when they saw all was well.
Arthur Wilkins airstrip and hanger was open to other pilots and planes. Other pilots used the airfield, such as in 1935 a gentleman called Gatenby was at the Wilkins airfield with his gyrocopter taking the public up for a ride for a fee. During the depression many pilots worked all over the country taking people up in the air as they tried to make enough money to keep flying.
One curious bit of history is around the Wilkins name, as there was a man called Sir George Hubert Wilkins who was born in South Australia, whereas Arthur was born in UK. George was famous for his aviation skills, the Antarctic aerodrome, and he also was a pioneer in aerial photography. I think they are related, but still trying to prove it.
The other pilot, I think about often, is a young British born lad called William (Bill) Millington who lived in Stanton St Edwardstown with his parents and sisters. The family had come to South Australia in 1926 for better health but when WW 2 began, Bill went back to England and enlisted in the RAF - 79th Squadron. This young man was one of the 'few' He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross in October 1940 for his heroism when he was wounded in a previous flight but managed to land his plane away from people and villages. He was hurt badly by the fire but when recovered went back to his squadron.
He flew in the Battle of Britain - so young - and was killed in action August 1940. A real hero. His parents and sisters staying in Edwardstown.
There is more of his ' story on a number of sites. This one is the Imperial War Museum in UK
https://www.iwm.org.uk/history/10-inspiring-stories-of-bravery-during-the-battle-of-britain
The third 'flying' anecdote is also connected to the Second World War. A lady I became very good friends with, lived in Oval Avenue, Edwardstown. Her name was Mrs Laura Reid. What a wonderful and dry sense of humour she had. And a lovely singing voice, when we all sang while riding the 190 buses to and from Unley. Such a sociable time - riding the buses - people spoke to one another, got to know one another and the bus drivers too.
Laura Elizabeth Reid was born in Scotland and met her husband there during WW2. They married in Sep 1942 - Her husband Alexander was a Corporal in the RAAF who enlisted in Jun 1940 as a rigger. He became an Air Gunner and part of a flight crew June 1941 to August 1942. When Cpl Reid was medically discharged, he and his 'War Bride' came home to Australia. They lived in Edwardstown together with their child until he died. Laura moved into a retirement village and passed away in 2010.
