ELLSWORTH RESCUE.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13176, 7 February 1936, Page 2

ELLSWORTH RESCUE.

PILOT’S GOOD WORK. YOUNG AIRMEN WIN FAME. I The thrilling and happy sequel to the efforts of the British, New Zealand and Australian Governments to find the missing American Antarctic explorer, Lincoln Ellsworth, and his pilot, Mr Kenyon, has once again demonstrated Australia’s indebtedness to her intrepid airmen for increased prestige among other nations, says the New Zealand Herald. Australia's part in the search was largely inspired by grateful recollection of the efforts of the United States Government in the search for Ulm and his companions a year ago, when all the naval and air force resources of Hawaii were called out to comb the seas. Negotiations by cablegram were opened by the Commonwealth with the British and New Zealand Governments and a basis of co-operation reached. The Commonwealth agreed to charter the Royal research shiii Discovery 11., and also provided two Royal Australian Air Force machines—one Wapiti and one Moth, fitted with skis for landing on the ice. Six Royal Australian Air Force men went with the machines. The cost to the Governments was £IO,OOO, divided as follows: United Kingdom, £4000; Australia, £4000; New Zealand, £2OOO. Success came to the Discovery IT. on its twenty-fifth day ou t from Austra 1i a. PR AISE FROM AMERICA, i First details o’f the rescue were meagre, but were sufficient to make Australia realise the prominent part she had played in the popular drama. Recognition of this was quick to come from America. Sir George Pearce, Minister of External Affairs, received a. communication from the United States Consul-General, Mr Pierrpont Moffat, as follows: “May I tell you how thrilled every American must be at hearing the news of the brilliant rescue of Ellsworth and Kenyon, in which Australia played so important a part. No finer demonstration could have been given of international cooperation, and Americans and Australians will .rejoice together with . effort so crowned with success.’’ Sir George Pearce replied: “The Commonwealth Government appreciates your kind message, with its cordial sentiments, and is delighted that the spontaneous co-operative effort between the respective Governments has accomplished its objective.” Lincoln Ellsworth sent the following radio message from the Discovery II.: 'Kenyon and I are deeply grateful for the extraordinary effort whic h yomr Government, through the Royal Australian Air Force, has put forward on our behalf. We assure you most sincerely how much we feel the honour 3011 have accorded us, iand we cannot thank you enough lor all that has been done for us.” A SPECTACULAR CAREER. And what of the two j>ilots who made this interchange of gracious and warm-hearted messages poss i ble ? F 1 igli t- Lie ut ena n t Gilbert Eric Douglas, though only 33 years old, has had a spectacular career, in which adventure has had its share. His assistant, Flying-Officei A lister Murray Murdoch, ten years younger, is a product of the Royal Australian Air Force training school for officers. Douglas was educated in Melbourne and later went through an engineering course at a technical school. He enlisted in the Central Flying School in December, 1920, and on the formation of the Royal Australian Air Force joined the ranks in March. 1921, as aero engine fitter. 111 May, 1927, he was selected for an airman pilot’s course and qualified in December the same year. The following year he was promoted to sergeant. In 1929, following the continued absence of Air-Commodore Sir Charles Ivingsford Smith and C T. I’. Ulm during their overland flight m the north-west of Australia, and the subsequent disappearance of Lieutenant K. Anderson and Mr T. Hitchcock, who had been sent to find them, Douglas was one of the pilots who searched lor Anderson and his companion. GBE AT H ARDSHI PS SUE FEE ED. Accompanying a ground party when bis machine could travel no further he underwent great hardships during the search, and was <me oi the men who found the bodies of the missing airmen. Because ol his excellent work on that expedition, lie was promoted to a commission as pilot-officer in the same year, and since .July last vear has held the rank of flight-lieutenant. Asi one of the flying instructors at Point Cook since 1928—he is classed as AT instructor—his commanding officers have reported him as being a very keen and reliable officer. " Douglas, who is married. served with the Mawson Antarctic Expedition in 1929, as second pilot and fittor, and in the hollowing; year again served with .Sir Doug]as j\laii.son and Captain J. K. • Davis in the expedition financed by Sir Macpherson Robertson. Murdoch is a son of the Director ol "Works, Defence Department, and at 17 was at Duntroon Military College, graduating to the Royal Australian Air Force. He became pilotofficer in 1931 and two years later attained his present rank. He is a trained seaplane pilot and has specialised in air navigation.