FLYING CROSSES FOR NEW ZEALANDERS

Camp News, Volume 2, Issue 57, 24 January 1941, Page 7

FLYING CROSSES FOR NEW ZEALANDERS

The "‘Flying Farmer” A Recipient

L. E. CLARK AND J. MENZIES 'flic Distinguished Plying Cross Has been awarded to Acting Plight Lieutenant Leonard Ernie Clarke and to Plying Officer Jerrold Menzies, both of church, according to official ad r vice received by Air Headquarters. Wellington, recently. Acting Plight Lieutenant Clark is a son 'of the late Mr. Leonard E. Clark. Thorringion .Road. Christchurch, and is 35 years of age. He was educated at Wanganui Collegiate' School and a' Oxford. In November, 1936. he flew solo from England to New Zealand, a feat performed successfully only by himself and Miss Jean Batten. He was the' tifth pilot t Hy rhe Tasman solo (living as his reason for the Hight that “he wanted' to be home for the shearing." he earned himself the nickname iii the world Press of “The Flying Farmer." The farm was at Waikari. North Canterbury. Clark left England at 6.50, a.in. on October 26, 1936, and reached Darwin at 11 a.m. on November 5. He spent some days in Sydney, and. crossed-the Tasman on November 15. The crossing took him 12hrs. 50min.: he landed at Blenheim* at dusk, but after a short stay continued to Christchurch, where he landed in. darkness. Interviewed; he made light of his exploit, remarking casually that there was “Nothing very much in it.'’ His machine was a Percival Gull. Subsequently he continued his connexion with aviation. He was a territorial officer in the Royal New Zealand Air; Force. At the commencement of the war lie was in England, and on November 11. 1939. received a commission in the Royal Air Force. Flying Officer Menzies is a son of rhe late Mr. Charles Menzies, 16 .Jerrold Street. Christchurch, and is 20 years of age. He is an old boy of Christchurch Boys' High School, and prior tn joining the Royal New Zealand Air Force was in the employ of the New . Zealand Railways.