CONQUEST OF AIR

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 24, 27 July 1929, Page 26

CONQUEST OF AIR

FIRST ATLANTIC FLIGHT

ALCOCK AND BROWN

The following letter (it speaks for itself) is from Sir Charles Wakoficld, whose interest in tho advancement of flying is well known and recognised.

• "Amongst the nations it is wore than doubtful'whether modesty be altogether a virtue. Certainly it is possible for a nation "to possess that virtue in excess and for its prestige—and its morale — to suffer in consequence. Those reflections arise in my mind on the near ap:, proach of the tenth anniversary of one of the greatest achievements in tho history of aviation. It was a British achievement, and it is a. matter for national self-reproach that the feat to which I refer—the first crossing of the Atlantic by aeroplane—has been allowed to sink into comparative oblivion. A well informed observer in Canada asserts that to tho question, 'Who firpt flew across the Atlantic?' ninety-nine out of a hundred persons living West of that ocean would reply, 'Lindbergh.' I fear that much the same ignorance exists here also. "On 14th June, 1919, the late Sir James Alcock and Sir Arthur Whitton Brown flow from Newfoundland to Clifden, in Ireland, in 16 hours 12 minutes. The distance was about 1900 miles, and they accomplished the flight upon a British built land machine. The gallant airmen wore acclaimed, and rightly rewarded by tho honour of knighthood, but their wonderful achievement was not adequately apprehended, because, like all pioneers, they were in advance of their time. National interest in aviation was not yet fully aroused, and it is significant to recall that eight years elapsed before the trans-Atlantic flight by aeroplane was accomplished the second time. To revive .these memories is not to minimise the merits of Colonel Lindbergh's solitary flight, which so powerfully appealed to us all. His reception in England was as enthusiastic as that accorded to him by his own countrymen, and our admiration of his singular and charming modesty was and is unstinted. "Nevertheless, it is high time that the prior achievements of our own heroes should be nationally commemorated. No permanent memorial to Alcoek and Whitten Brown has been set u\i, and this tenth anniversary oi' an epochmaking flight affords us an opportunity of remedying the omission. The land-ing-place of the intrepid adventurers at Clifden should surely bo marked and preserved for all time. (I imagine that tho Dominions of Canada anil Newfoundland would whole-heartedly cooperate in similarly marking the point of departure.) Their heroic memory could also be appropriately honoured by the establishment, for instance, of an Alcoek and Whitten Brown gold medal to be awarded annually upon'the anniversary of the historic flight. These are mero suggestions, but I feel sure that any well-considered proposal, put forward by tho official aviation socioties, would meet with universal support throughout tho Empire. We are the present holders of the Schneider Cup, and are now rapidly becoming air-minded." Surely the time is ripe for a tardy act of justice, which will incidentally, do much to reaffirm our prestige in tho eyes of the civilised world."