Bert Hinkler's Life and Awards

1892		8 December - Herbert John Louis Hinkler born at Bundaberg Qld.
1910		Aero Club formed in Brisbane by Lindsay Campbell - Hinkler becomes a member.
1911		Attends meeting of the Aerial League in Brisbane - Aero Club discontinued - Bert builds Glider No. 1.
1911		Christmas - Bert begins construction of Glider No.2.
1912		April - flew glider on Mon Repos beach - glider displayed at Bundaberg and Brisbane Shows - linked up with American pilot A.B. Stone on projected tour of southern States and New Zealand.
1913		August - returned to Bundaberg - later went to Sydney from where he "worked his passage" to England.
1914		Easter - arrived in England - obtained work on the bench with Sopwith Company.
1914		September - enlisted in the Royal Naval Air Service.
1917		December - in England after active service as an Observer/Air Gunner in France and Belgium - awarded DSM.
1918		Trained as pilot - posted to No. 28 Squadron, Italy, and became involved in the war against Austria.
1919		Undertook post-war rehabilitation course at A.V. Roe & Co. Worked "on the bench" but had the right to fly company’s aircraft.
1920		May 31 - made meritorious flight: London to Turin non-stop in 35hp Avro Baby - returned to London - awarded his first Britannia Trophy - resolved to ship Avro Baby to Australia.
1921		April 11 - Long distance record breaking flight from Sydney to Bundaberg. April 27 - Avro Baby damaged on return flight by strong winds after a beach landing north of Newcastle, N.S.W.  May - Hinkler departed Australia - Avro Baby remained.
1921-1926		At Hamble Hinkler test pilot for 6 years for A.V. Roe & Co
1925		Reserve pilot for British Schneider Cup team in U.S.A.
1927		Tested autogyros for Don Juan la Cierva - major long-distance flight in Avro Avian G-EBOV to Latvia - abortive attempt on England-India record with R.H. McIntosh in single engined Fokker.
1928		His most-renowned achievement - pioneering solo flight in Avro Avian G-EBOV from England to Australia - returned to England, left Avro Avian in Australia.
1929		Hinkler began construction of his dream machine, the Ibis amphibian  in May - offers G-EBOV to Queensland Government as gift.
1930		May - Ibis takes to the air at Hamble - Hinkler visits U.S.A.
1931		In Canada, acquires a Puss Moth which was built in England. October-December - flight from Canada to England via South Atlantic.
1932		Leaves his Puss Moth in Southampton - Hinkler returned by sea to north America - once again back in England he prepared the Puss Moth, CF-APK, for a flight to Australia.
1933		January 7 - took off at 3.10a.m. from London, England, for Australia.  April 27 - body and wrecked aircraft found in the Apennines. May  1- State Funeral in Italy. - Mortal remains interred in Florence cemetery.

Bert Hinkler's Awards (Cups, Medals, Plaques etc.)

1917	Awarded D.S.M. for flying performances as aerial gunner in bombers during First World War in France.
1920	Britannia Challenge Trophy for flight in Avro Baby G-EACQ - May 1920.
1924	Grosvenor Challenge Cup - Avro 562 Avis - Lympne Light Aircraft Trials.
1927	Killjoy Cup - Bournemouth Air Races, April. Also won Hotels  Handicap & Holiday Handicap. Utility Cup - Bristol Air Pageant -June. De Prez Cup- Bristol Air Pageant - June. Golden Eagle Breast Decoration of the Air Force of Latvia - London/Riga -August 26. Awarded Oswald Watt  Medal 1927.
1928	Royal Geographical Society of Australia/Asia Medal. Thompson Foundation Gold Medal for services to science of aviation. Gold Medal presented by the Institute of Surveyors. Diamond wristwatch for Nance Hinkler from Australian Theatre Business. AFC (Air Force Cross) - in recognition of distinguished service rendered to aviation by his solo flight in a light aeroplane from England to Australia. Gold cigarette case presented by Prime Minister Hon. S.M.Bruce, bearing the Australian Coat of Arms. Platinum and diamond brooch showing a kangaroo leaping across the world from England to Australia - presented to Nance Hinkler by Sir Charles Wakefield at the Savoy Hotel, London. Britannia Challenge Trophy - for England to Australia flight, Feb 1928. Oswald Watt Medal 1928. Federation Aeronautique International Gold Medal - presented in Copenhagen for England/Australian flight of 1928.
1931	Moroccan Cross presented at Casablanca Aero Club, by French Commissioner, for South Atlantic crossing - 1931. Oswald Watt  Medal for South Atlantic flight. - 1931. Royal Aero Club Gold Medal for the South Atlantic flight - 1931. Britannia Challenge Trophy - for South Atlantic crossing - 1931.
1932	Segrave Memorial Trophy - for South Atlantic crossing - 1931. The Johnston Memorial Silver Plaque - for  South Atlantic crossing -1931. Oswald Watt Medal.