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THE AUSTRALIAN SOCIETY OF WORLD WAR 1 AERO HISTORIANS
February 2008 - A NEW BOOK - In Search Of The Zeppelin War - The Archaeology Of The First Blitz, by Dr Neil Faulkner & Dr Nadia Durrani
It's the start of a new year and we have recently been advised by Julian Evan-Hart of a rather intriguing sounding title concerning the First Air War. Julian organised the searches for and the later excavation of the Zeppelin L48 in Theberton, Suffolk by The Great War Archaeology Group.
The book has been published by The History Press (Tempus), with the entire project also featuring as part of a BBC Timewatch programme.
The book is superbly laid out with extensive sections of L48 crash photographs taken in 1917 and also the excavation that took place in June 2006. This section includes actual fragments of L48 that were discovered in 2006 as well as the amazing German Imperial Naval Officers button that was found by a metal-detectorist during the dig.
Other contents are defences, excavations of gun emplacements, and a whole host of fascinating associated topics, this research involves some of the the very first archaeological excavations of British defences in World War one and of course the World`s first ever archaeological excavation of one of the five Zeppelins to crash on British soil, ground breaking stuff resulting in a unique ground-breaking publication. We are fast approaching the centenary of the beginnings of World War One which should make this all the more poignant and thought evoking read. If you are interested in aviation history or archaeology, are a student of this period, or are simply curious what the term "Modern Conflict Archaeology" encompasses then this is one title that you should consider making shelf space for.
Copies signed by Neil Faulkner can be purchased for the price of £20.00 which is inclusive of postage costs worldwide.
For all purchase details or sales enquiries please contact Lucy Harris or, alternatively, please telephone (UK)01727 834 844 or address all written correspondence to:
Lucy Harris - 36 Leyland Avenue, St Albans, Herts., AL1 2BE, U.K.
February 2008 - ANOTHER NEW BOOK - Billy Stutt and the Richmond Flyboys, by Neville Hayes
As many members will well remember, Neville, a former member of the Australian Society of WW1 Aero Historians, died in September 2005. Neville left behind 25 years of research into the NSW State Aviation School that operated at Richmond in 1916-18 under the instruction of Melbourne-born ace aviator, W J "Billy" Stutt.
At the time of his death, Neville was universally acknowledged as the doyen of aero historians in that field, and in the use of Curtiss Jennies in Australia as primary trainers.
His brother Barry has collected Neville's computer and other myriad files, filled whatever historical gaps he could, and has now compiled and published the work in Neville's name under the title, Billy Stutt and the Richmond Flyboys. Barry is a member of the Fellowship of Australian Writers, and a small-publisher trading as Pacific Downunder. The project was supported by Neville's brother, Graeme, and sister, Beth.
In brief, the book is:
322 pages including index. Professionally printed.
Contains 400 photographs, including those from the Stutt Family album and those taken by the pilots and their families.
265 gsm celloglossed 4-colour cover
Chapters include :-
The Beginnings - The Curtiss Jenny - The Aviators-profiles and service records - The Courses-regs etc - 1st Course (through to 6th Course) - Keeping the Jennies in the Air-mechanics, ground staff and maintenance - The Air Adventures of Billy Stutt from boyhood to tragic disappearance, including a startling discovery by a 14-year-old duck shooter in Tasmania - Beyond the War, including Commonwealth takeover, birth of the Richmond Air Base, and tracing what happened to the Jennies - Addendum-more stories.
Discounted for Society members - $25.00 + $8.50 = $33.50 posted anywhere in Australia.
Payment accepted by Cheque, Postal Note, Visa or Mastercard. Or ask for a brochure—or a quote if NZ, UK, USA.
Pacific Downunder - Authors, Publishers, Agents
Box 133, Cowes, Victoria, 3922
Telephone: (03) 59 522 927 or Fax (03) 59 521 408
e-mail: Barry Hayes
Website: Pacific Downunder.
June 2006 - A NEW Biography of Major Roderic Dallas, by Adrian Hellwig
As Major R.S. Dallas is a hero to Adrian, he would like to be the first to announce that the first ever complete biography of this oft overlooked Australian ace has just been released in the UK (Australian release in August). It is called Australian Hawk over the Western Front and the cover artwork is by Russell Smith. The book contains 216 printed pages of text and 16 printed pages of pictures, some never before published.
June 2006 - VALE - The Hon. Beryl Evans and Alan Fraser
It is with much sadness that we report the deaths of two of our stalwart members, the Honorary Beryl Evans, who passed away on May 27th, and Alan Fraser, who passed away on 1 June.
Beryl was the daughter of Reg Williams pilot (?) of the Blackburn Kangaroo, an entrant in the England-Australia Air Race of 1919. As you probably know the aircraft did not complete the journey, crash landing in Crete. Having met the late Eric Watson at the 1986 Bankstown Air Show, Beryl addressed the Society meeting of Saturday 14 May 1987, and was a member of our Society ever since.
Alan Fraser will be well remembered by most members of our Society as a knowledgeable researcher of World War One aviation, who contributed many interesting and insightful articles to both our newsletters and annual journals.
We offer our deepest condolences to their families at this sad time.
December 2005 - MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL !
On behalf of the executive committee and members, we would like to wish everyone out there a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year in 2006. We look forward to your company then.
October 2005 - Royal Naval Air Service Casualties 1914-1918 - a revised list.
Following the publication of the alphabetical list of Royal Naval Air Service Casualties during 1914- 1918, in last year's issue of The '14 -'18 Journal, a wealth of updates and corrections were received from a number of sources. These proved to be too numerous to allow a simple list of corrections to be added to the 2004 Journal Feedback, so the list has again been revised by the editor using the latest information provided, and is republished in full
October 2005 - 2005 Annual Journal completed.
Journal Editor Peter Chapman is pleased to report that the 2005 issue of The '14 -'18 Journal is now complete and was distributed to members in November.
It is never too late to join the society, and receive a copy of the latest journal. This year's issue contains articles covering the air wars in Mesopotamia and German South West Africa, plus a number of biographies and a history of No.239 Squadron RAF in World War One, to name but a few.
A sneak preview of the latest journal cover can be found
For details of membership, please see the links at the bottom of this page, or contact the Membership Secretary.
October 2005 - Appeal Fund for the British Air Services Memorial at St. Omer
Our good friends at Cross and Cockade International in the UK have initiated the above notable undertaking and, having unveiled the memorial in September 2004, are continuing to fund raise for this worthy cause. Any monetary donations towards this project would be gratefully accepted. For more details, visit their website.
Leslie Stonell has also very kindly donated his services to the appeal. Les has generously donated all proceeds from the sale of prints of two of his paintings.
The paintings are: "The Drop" - Pups of 46 Squadron surprise a formation of Albatros.
and, "Come into My Parlour ..." - It's a beautiful day on the Western Front, and James McCudden is out hunting two seaters.
The price of each of these fantastic prints is just ?15.00 - including postage and packing. Make cheques payable to "St Omer Appeal" and send to:
L. Stonell, 25 The Ridgeway, Gidea Park, Romford, Essex RM2 5BT, U.K.
April 2005 - VALE - Charles Watson 1899 - 2005.
Charles Watson passed away on New Year's Day 2005, aged 105. It is thought he was "the last flyer of the Royal Flying Corps (RFC)". Charles was an Honorary Member of our Society and we received the sad news of his passing from his daughter, Mrs Joy Webb.
Charles was a Sergeant observer during World War One, flying in Bristol F2B fighters with No.11 Squadron. His story appeared in the 2003 edition of The '14 -'18 Journal.
Following his death on New Year's Day, he was given a grand funeral service at Bedford, with a Colour Party leading the funeral procession and a Tornado F3 from his old unit, No.11 Squadron RAF, flying over the chapel during the service. He is survived by his daughter, Joy Webb, a granddaughter and two great granddaughters, to whom we extend our sympathy in their bereavement.
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