The Australian War Memorial Collection. Test site
British and Australian soldiers gather around the wreckage of a German LVG aircraft that crashed in British lines at Rantieh. During the afternoon of 31 August 1918 two Bristol fighters, from No 1 Squadron Australian Flying Corps (AFC), were on patrol over their airfield at Ramleh when they intercepted two German LVG two seaters at 16,000 feet. The 1 Squadron Bristols, crewed by Lieutenant (Lt) D R Dowing (pilot) and Lt E A Mulford DCM (observer) and Lt P J McGinness DFC, DCM (pilot) and Lt W H Fysh (observer), attacked the German aircraft. McGinness positioned his Bristol close to the LVG, alongside and under the German's tail, and from this position Lt Fysh, using his twin machine guns, engaged the German aircraft killing the pilot. This LVG was seen breaking up as it fell to the ground. Lt Dowling engaged the other LVG from above and in front but was not able to maintain contact so switched his attack to below the German aircraft but his engine failed. Lt McGinness then took up the attack using the same tactic as with the first LVG and Lt Fysh again shot the German aircraft down. The second LVG crashed east of Kalkilieh. Lt Fysh was awarded the DFC largely for this action.
1914-15 Star. Impressed on reverse with recipient's details. Associated with the service of Sir Wilmot Hudson Fysh. Fysh was born in Launceston, Tasmania in 1895 and enlisted as Trooper 415 in the 3
Australian Flying Corps embroidered observer's qualification brevet. The brevet has cream cotton embroidered wings and the letter 'O' within a cream embroidered laurel wreath on a dark blue wool back
Breast Star, Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire. Associated with the service of Sir Wilmot Hudson Fysh. Fysh was born in Launceston, Tasmania in 1895 and enlisted as Trooper 415 in
British War Medal 1914-20. Impressed around edge with recipient's details. Associated with the service of Sir Wilmot Hudson Fysh. Fysh was born in Launceston, Tasmania in 1895 and enlisted as Troope
Distinguished Flying Cross. Marked on reverse with recipient's details. Associated with the service of Sir Wilmot Hudson Fysh. Fysh was born in Launceston, Tasmania in 1895 and enlisted as Trooper 4
Elizabeth II Coronation Medal 1953. Unnamed as issued. Associated with the service of Sir Wilmot Hudson Fysh. Fysh was born in Launceston, Tasmania in 1895 and enlisted as Trooper 415 in the 3rd Aus
George V Silver Jubilee Medal 1935. Unnamed as issued. Associated with the service of Sir Wilmot Hudson Fysh. Fysh was born in Launceston, Tasmania in 1895 and enlisted as Trooper 415 in the 3rd Aus
George VI Coronation Medal 1937. Unnamed as issued. Associated with the service of Sir Wilmot Hudson Fysh. Fysh was born in Launceston, Tasmania in 1895 and enlisted as Trooper 415 in the 3rd Austra
Australian Flying Corps officers private purchase khaki wool gabardine flying jacket, popularly known as a 'maternity' jacket, with rank insignia of lieutenant. The embroidered rank stars on the epaul
Neck Badge, Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (civil). Associated with the service of Sir Wilmot Hudson Fysh. Fysh was born in Launceston, Tasmania, in 1895, and enlisted as Troope
Brown leather Sam Browne belt with brass fittings and shoulder strap. The belt is fitted with a double clawed brass buckle, and has a brass stud and sliding leather loop to locate the free end of the
Aircraft message streamer, with linen message pouch on one end. The pouch is fastened shut with a single black celluloid button and is double stitched around the open edges. There are two streamers fa
Victory Medal. Impressed around edge with recipient's details. Associated with the service of Sir Wilmot Hudson Fysh. Fysh was born in Launceston, Tasmania in 1895 and enlisted as Trooper 415 in the
British and Australian soldiers gather around the wreckage of a German LVG aircraft that crashed in British lines at Rantieh. During the afternoon of 31 August 1918 two Bristol fighters, from No 1 Sq
An informal group portrait of Tasmanians of 1 Squadron, Australian Flying Corps (AFC), standing in front of one of the Squadron's Bristol F2B biplane fighter aircraft. Left to right: Lieutenant (Lt) W
Studio portrait of Lieutenants W Hudson Fysh DFC and Paul Joseph McGinness DFC DCM, both of No 1 Squadron AFC, after their return to Australia. The men went on to found QANTAS.
"PILOT'S DEADLY MACHINE GUN" (BRITISH AIR MINISTRY PHOTO PPG193) [S.E.5A PILOT DEMONSTRATES FIRING THE OVER WING LEWIS MK III AERIAL MACHINE GUN WHEN PULLED BACK ON THE FOSTER MOUNT. THIS WAS A FAVOUR
The remains of Baron von Richthofen's Fokker Triplane at the aerodrome of No. 3 Squadron of the Australian Flying Corps. The famous German airman was shot down and crashed in Australian lines while fl
Group portrait of Officer Commanding and Officers of No. 1 Squadron Australian Flying Corps in front of a Bristol F2B fighter aircraft. Back row, left to right: Lieutenant (Lt) C. J. Vyner; Lt L. S. C
