Maurice Guillaux
Ernest François Guillaux (24 January 1883 – 21 May 1917), better known by his adopted name Maurice Guillaux, was a French aviator who spent seven months in Australia in 1914. On 16–18 July 1914, he flew Australia's first air mail and air freight flight, from Melbourne to Sydney. During his time in Australia he also gave many aerial displays, was the first person to fly a seaplane in Australia, and was an early user of Ham Common, now RAAF Base Richmond. Early life Ernest François Guillaux was born 24 January 1883 in Montoire, France. His father was a wheelwright, and he also worked in this trade; he married Héloïse Anne-Marie Langot, a farmer's daughter, in 1901. Little more is known about him until 1912, when he became well known as a pilot, using the name ‘Maurice’. Nelson Eustis, famous philatelist and amateur historian, made contact in 1964 with a son, Bernard, then about 62 years old. Career in France On 19 February 1912, he obtained his pilot's licence, no 749. He became the chief pilot for the firm Caudron de Croty (Somme). From April onwards, he participated in many aviation displays. He was often able to fly in weather that was too severe for other pilots, but did crash on 29 April when his aircraft was caught by a strong wind gust at a display at Montoire. He flew, with a passenger, to England after this. On his return, in August 1912 he became chief pilot for the Clément-Bayard organisation, flying its all-metal monoplanes made in their factory at Levallois-Perret. From time to time, he held various records, for example at Étampes, on 11 February 1913, when he flew 410 km in 4 hours 10 minutes with a passenger. He also gained his military flying licence at about this time. The Pommery Cup was awarded, twice a year, to the airman who flew the greatest distance, measured in a straight line, in one day. On 28 April Guillaux secured the prize by flying from Biarritz to Kollum in the Netherlands, a distance of 1 253 kilomètres. His main rival was Brindejonc des Moulinais. In the next competition for the cup, Guillaux had an irregularity in his record-keeping, and as a result was suspended from competition for ten years. He then purchased a Bleriot XI aircraft, especially prepared for aerobatics, known as a ‘looper’ in which he performed during December and January. With four companions, listed on the passenger manifest as Messrs Rupeausseu, Maistre, Cominos and du Coque, he then departed on a world tour. Arrival in Australia The party arrived in Sydney early in April, and spent the first fortnight assembling the Bleriot. His first flying display was given at Victoria Park, Zetland, Sydney, on 19 April 1914, followed by a display at Newcastle on 25 April. He was immediately received in the highest circles of Australian society, being officially welcomed to Sydney by the Lord Mayor on 28 April. During May and June he also performed in Melbourne, in