Smithy: The life of Charles Kingsford Smith
Whilst researching Kingsford Smith, I happened apon Ian Mackersey’s book Smithy. Mackersey was born in New Zealand and worked as a journalist. His clear writing style facilitates comprehension and enjoyment. He gives balanced and well-researched insights into the man behind the legend.
Time constraints limited me to specific information relating to Kingsford Smith’s local connections and war service. However, I kept reading on, wanting to know more about this iconic character, who pushed his life and luck to extreme limits.
Mackersey frequently quotes local resident Norman Ellison. Ellison knew Smithy and his book Flying Matilda devotes several chapters to his life. Letters quoted in Flying Matilda from the Kingsford Smith papers in the National Library are a recommended primary source for Kingsford Smith. Mackersey, in my opinion, is the go-to as a secondary source.
Several biographies have been written about Smithy, they range from the fraudulent to best sellers. For the story of the 1928 flight across the Pacific, I’d recommend Michael Molkentin’s Flying the Southern Cross. Molkentin spoke at Barry O’Keefe Library with Charles Ulm’s son John, promoting the book’s release.
Kingsford Smith’s biographical recollections of his adventures in My Flying Life and Story of the Southern Cross Transpacific Flight 1928 also a great read.
No Empty Chairs: The short and heroic lives of the young aviators who fought and died in the First World War
After reading Smithy my interest was piqued by another of Mackersay’s books. No empty chairs It did not disappoint. I read it from cover to cover. Although there have been plenty of books on the Great War in the air from 1914-1918, I thoroughly recommend this one as a general introduction or refresher.
2/Ltn Charles Kingsford Smith recollected after arriving at 23 Squadron aerodrome in France:
I noticed many vacant places at the dining table and in the sleeping quarters. And the survivors, all youngsters like me [had] the faces of much older men
After just six weeks. Only three of the sixteen pilots Smithy graduated with were still flying. He probably felt older himself, and was lucky to still be alive. But this risk-taking lad survived the war, and became a household name in Australia.
Read more of Smithy’s story, using quotes from Ian Mackersay’s books:
- Where angels fear to tread: Smithy’s baptism of fire, 1917
- 1919 Air Race: Why Smithy couldn’t fly the Kangaroo
- ‘God bless you all!!’ Smithy’s treasured postcard from Nellie Stewart
Portraits of Charles Kingsford-Smith at different ages. Smithy left a chair empty at his Squadron but survived his injuries and even a terrible bout of influenza.