Scanned collage created by the author from The Daily, Tuesday July 3, 1928 Source: Local Studies collection Barry O’ Keefe Library.
The ‘Southern Cross’, Fokker monoplane VH-USU, on its arrival at Mascot Aerodrome, Sydney 10 June 1928, signed by the crew. (L-R) James Warner, Charles Ulm, Charles Kingsford-Smith, and Harry Lyon. Inscribed ‘To Flight Lieutenant and Mrs Garnet Malley with kind regards and best wishes, June 1928’ M15 Picture credit: Peter Scholer 2013. Captain Garnet Malley MC was a fighter ace with No. 4 Sqn, AFC. Source: Barry O’Keefe Library ‘Trace’ image collection
Homecoming for the lauded prodigal sons
Charles Kingsford-Smith and Charles Ulm, on landing after the Pacific flight, Mascot, 10 June 1928 / unknown photographer 10 June 1928 Source: SLNSW P1 / 1825
On June 9th, 1928, Charles Kingsford Smith, Charles Ulm, and their American crew landed in Brisbane. Wildly enthusiastic crowds greeted the four airmen alighting from their epic flight from the U.S to Australia.
Next, it was Sydney’s turn to welcome the Pacific fliers.
‘Crowd surrounding “Southern Cross.” Charles Ulm – photographs and albums, 1928-1934. PXD 921 , MP 98 https://search.sl.nsw.gov.au/permalink/f/lg5tom/ADLIB110318769
On Saturday, June 30th, Mosman held the biggest public reception in its history. One of many such events to be held across the country.
Both Australian airmen had local connections.
The Ulm’s lived in Keston Ave until 1914 and then 35 Prince Street. Kingsford Smith’s parents moved from Yeo St Neutral Bay to Shadforth St, Mosman, in 1918. Then to Longueville. Two of Smithy’s brothers had married Mosman lasses.
He had come a long way. Known as the terror of Mosman as a teenager, Smithy was now a huge hit with the crowd:
When the Mayor got bothered over the initials of Mr. [C.T.P.] Ulm, his comrade created much laughter by calling him “Alphabetical Ulm.”
C.T.P. ‘Alphabet’ Ulm was presented by officials with a beautifully illustrated memorial book. It included signatures of significant residents and a series of photographs of Mosman in the early 1920s. It is now held at Barry O’Keefe Library. It reads:
On behalf of the Civic Representatives and Returned Soldiers of the Municipality of Mosman, we have the pleasure in presenting you with this Address of Welcome. Your Great achievement in the Southern Cross with Squadron Leader Kingsford Smith and American companions in flying across the Pacific from America to Australia, has filled us with pride and admiration. We greet you as an Australian who has added great lustre to our Nation, and we welcome you back as a Returned Soldier to Mosman from where you enlisted to do your bit in the Great War
Inside page of memorial book presented to Charles Ulm on 30 June 1928.Source: Local Studies collection Barry O’ Keefe Library http://images.mosman.nsw.gov.au?code=MjgzMDQ=
The event was reported in The Daily. They are transcribed here by the author for the first time in over 90 years:
MOSMAN’S WELCOME To Pacific Fliers
‘Mosman gave the Pacific fliers- Squadron leader Kingsford Smith and Flight –Lieutenant Ulm- a right royal welcome on Saturday afternoon.
And when the “tumult and the shouting dies,” they will receive tangible evidence of the goodwill of the citizens in the shape of hard cash. Just what size the cheque will be cannot be stated until matters in connection with the reception of the aviators are finalised. [One paper reported it was for 250 pounds] The final figures will be published in the “Daily” in due course.
A big crowd assembled at Buena Vista Square when the fliers arrived, and they were greeted with cheers.
Buena Vista Hotel in 1919. Source: Local Studies collection Barry O’ Keefe Library. Try to imagine ‘a big crowd assembled at Buena Vista Square when the fliers arrived, and they were greeted with cheers.’
The procession, which was headed by the Mosman Municipal Band, included returned soldiers, Girl Guides, Sea Scouts, and Boy Scouts. Crowds thronged Military Road as the procession came towards Spit Junction. At the ANZAC Memorial Hall, Kingsford Smith alighted from the car in which the two aviators were seated and placed a wreath at the foot of the Memorial Tablet, that grim record of the men from this municipality who made the supreme sacrifice. Heads were bared and the solemnity of the occasion was rendered more potent and from this be-flagged elevated position
Mosman War Memorial before the addition of garden after WWII Source: Local Studies ‘Trace’ image archive, Barry O’ Keefe Library. LH PF 1971
Just outside the northern corner of Mosman Park, and facing the Memorial, a platform had been erected, and from this be-flagged elevated position, the Mayor of Mosman (Ald. Harry Carter) on behalf of the citizens, welcomed the fliers, who each briefly expressed their appreciation of the cordial reception accorded them. When the Mayor got bothered over the initials of Mr Ulm, his comrade created much laughter by calling him “Alphabetical Ulm.” Squadron-Leader Kingsford Smith, in his speech, indicated the aviators hoped soon to fly to New Zealand.
Reception held at Longueville near Smithy’s parents home. Mosman would have had a similar podium near the Memorial and crowds in attendance down to the ‘Buena Vista’ Hotel. Source Charles Ulm – photographs and albums, 1928-1934. PXD 921 , MP 98
A crowd estimated at 5000 or 6000 gathered, to witness the official reception of the fliers, but the majority of the people were unable to hear what was said by the speakers. The Town Clerk (Mr A. C. Marshall), who had acted as secretary of the movement, read the following address to Flight-Lieutenant Ulm:-
To Flight-Lieutenant Charles T.P. Ulm, A.F.C.
Dear Sir,-
On behalf of the civic representatives and returned soldiers of the municipality of Mosman, we have the pleasure in presenting you with this address of welcome.
Your great achievement in the Southern Cross with Squadron Leader Kingsford Smith and American companions, in flying across the Pacific from America to Australia, has filled us with pride and admiration. We greet you as an Australian who has added great lustre to our nation, and we welcome you back as a returned soldier to Mosman, from where you enlisted to do your bit in the Great War.
Hotel Mosman c1910 Trace Once again, imagine the place packed and doing a roaring trade.
The aviators were entertained at dinner at the Hotel Mosman by the Mayor and alderman and executive of The Returned Soldiers’ League, and at night a gala picture entertainment was held in the Australian Picture Theater.[‘Kinema’] The building was crowded, and the distinguished fliers received a tumultuous reception when they appeared on the platform and were introduced by the Mayor.
Kinema Theatre, Military Rd Mosman
The function was a great success and passed off without a hitch. The traffic was admirably handled by the police.
The Mosman Municipal Band played patriotic selections during the proceedings, and received well deserved encomium for their very fine efforts.’
- The Daily, Tuesday, July 3, 1928
The Daily, Tuesday July 3, 1928: ‘MOSMAN’S WELCOME To Pacific Fliers’ Photo by the author.
A sample of what other papers reported:
FLIERS IN MOSMAN SUGGESTED CEREMONY .
Subsequently, the Mayor, aldermen, and executive of the Returned Soldiers’ League to entertain the aviators at dinner at 6 p.m., a ball to be afterward held In the Mosman Town Hall, at 8 p.m. It was also decided that an appeal should be made for subscriptions, and that Messrs. D. H. Sargent and T. R. Douglas be appointed collectors to make a personal canvass In support of the fund, the two gentlemen to be given necessary authority by the Town Clerk. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article223215533
MOSMAN’S WELCOME PRESENTATION TO AIRMEN
Instead of the suggested ball in the evening, it was decided to hold a gala night at the Australian Kinema, where the airmen will be presented with a cheque from the district. The prices of admission will be raised to 2s, 2s 6d, and 3s, the extra money going to the fund. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article223211155
On film
To get a feel for the times this video will help. The landing at Sydney starts at 5:36
For a quick video documentary of the Pacific crossing watch: Kingsford-Smith and Ulm – First Pacific Crossing-192[8]
Bibliography:
Background info:
Morris, Phillipa Mosman salutes those magnificent aviators retrieved online 24/05/17.
Ellison, Norman Flying Matilda : early days in Australian aviation Sydney : Angus & Robertson, 1961.
The newspaper article:
‘MOSMAN’S WELCOME To Pacific Fliers’ The Daily, Tuesday, July 3, 1928. Local Studies collectionFollow the story of Smithy and Ulm
