SONGS FROM THE CLOUDS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLIX, 14 August 1929, Page 6

SONGS FROM THE CLOUDS.

INJURED BRLTISIH AIRMAN. SUCCESS AS RADIO ARTIST. j Hopelessly paralysed l , his back broken and both feet injured' as the result of an utir crash, a, former British war ace liar, triumphed! over his disabilities in remarkable fashion, wind his wife, who has been with him through his; days of success. For he is the new wireless broad easting “star’.' of America. This is OMr Douglas Hall Robertson, a veteran of the Royal Flying Corps, who distinguished himself during the wan- by shooting down nine enemy aeroplanes. Accompanied, by his wife, whom lie met as a nurse after his terrible crash, lie was carried over New York in til Curtiss Flying Service aeroplane during, an. afternoon wireless hour. Close to his head' was ai microphone. As the aeroplane circled over til© skyscrapers the injured airman made, his dieibut as a singer of songs that cheered the fighting men from 1914 to 1918. Disteners-in heard! a, gay tenor voice, singing “The A via,tor's Hymn” and “Back in ’14.” They did not know I until afterwards that, the singer was lying helpless in idle aeroplane with, one hand in his wife’s clasp. Mr Blobertson’s success was instantaneous, and he is to repeat his songs from the air regularly during the weekly wireless aviation hour. His plucky attempt to earn his own living again lias won widespread admiration from wireless enthusiasts, with whom he is now ol papular favourite. Enlisting in the. Royal Flying Corps at the outbreak of war, Mr Robertson quickly made his mark as a gallant and daring young airman. Four times ills own aeroplanes were shot down in tire air, but m every instance he escaped unharmed!. After the wai- he hald l the distinction of opening the first London to Paris air service. Later lie went to America and engaged in commercial aviation until he suffered the terrible crash which left him a hopeless invalid. It wais While in hospital that he met the nurse who is now his wife. When his life urns despaired of she saved him by her devotion and skill. “1 owe everything to my wife,” lie said. “It was she who pulled me through.” lit recent years lie has had a hard struggle. Ho is still improving slowly, hut is still required to spend three hours a week under treatment. I