Hudson Fysh

Wilmot Hudson Fysh was born in the city of Launceston in Tasmania, Australia, on 7 January 1895.{{cite web|access-date=9 October 2007|url=http://www.awm.gov.au/fiftyaustralians/19.asp|title=Fifty Australians—Sir Hudson Fysh|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070609092658/http://awm.gov.au/fiftyaustralians/19.asp|archive-date=9 June 2007}} His father, Frederick Wilmot Fysh, was a merchant, while his mother, Mary (née Reed), was the daughter of a famous landowner, Henry Reed.{{cite book|last=Percival|first=J|editor= Bede Nairn |editor2=Geoffrey Serle|year=1981|title=Australian Dictionary of Biography|publisher=Melbourne University Press|volume=8|url=http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/|chapter=Fysh, Sir Wilmot Hudson (1895—1974)|chapter-url=http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/biogs/A080620b.htm|access-date=16 October 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070613123624/http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/|archive-date=13 June 2007|url-status=live}} Fysh was the oldest of five siblings; Hudson, Henry, Margaret, Mary and Graham.{{cite web|access-date=9 October 2007 |url=http://www.ballfamilyrecords.co.uk/fysh_australia/I0707.html |title=The Fysh Family in Australia |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050126195714/http://www.ballfamilyrecords.co.uk/fysh_australia/I0707.html |archive-date=26 January 2005 }} He was also the great-nephew of Sir Philip Fysh. His childhood was marred by the failure of his parents' marriage and his father's business. Originally staying with his father, he ran away so often that eventually he was able to stay with his mother.{{cite web|access-date=19 July 2009|url=http://www.qfom.com.au/hudsonFysh.html|title=QANTAS Founders Outback Museum—Meet the Originals: Hudson Fysh|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090912075006/http://www.qfom.com.au/hudsonFysh.html|archive-date=12 September 2009}} Living in St Leonards—a suburb of Launceston—until 1914, he enlisted in the Light Horse upon the start of World War I.{{cite book|title=Australian Imperial Forces—Nominal Roll|chapter-url=http://www.awm.gov.au/cms_images/awm8/10_8_1/pdf/0384.pdf|page=14|chapter=3rd Light Horse Regiment—"C" Squadron|access-date=22 November 2007}}

Educated at Launceston and Geelong grammar schools, Fysh worked as a jackaroo and woolclasser after his education. He was also a cadet in the 70 Infantry Militia as a teenager, before volunteering for the Tasmanian 26th Light Horse upon the outbreak of war.{{cite web|access-date=9 October 2007|url=http://cas.awm.gov.au/PROD/gl.accept_login?screen_name=cas_search_pkg.pr_search_by_link&screen_parms=acid~ps_query_type=accnum~ps_query=REL/01350~ps_referrer=oai:awm:112284/1845442&screen_type=BOTTOM|title=War Information on Hudson Fysh}}{{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} After the foundation of Qantas, Fysh, being a poor student at school, tried to make up for his lack of training by studying economics and taking a course in pelmanism. After his retirement from Qantas, Fysh received an honorary degree of Doctor of Engineering (EngD), in a commemoration ceremony from the University of Tasmania, in 1971.Fysh (1971). "Commemoration ceremony 1971".{{cite web|url=http://nla.gov.au/anbd.bib-an1632377|title=Commemoration ceremony 1971|access-date=4 November 2007}}

Described as a man of "great political acumen" and having "a hard head for business", Fysh had a reputation as a stern, uncompromising taskmaster. This contrasted against his "shy, quiet" nature; he described himself as "painfully shy...as a child feeling looked down on, sensitive, and socially lost." Fysh felt these feelings never left him, being "ill at ease with fame or publicity." Described as single-minded in many instances, his insistence on using a D.H.86 (De Havilland Express 86) lead to a bitter clash and eventual fall-out between Fysh and Sir Gordon Taylor. Fysh also made rivals in other airline entrepreneurs such as Norman Brearley, a founder of Western Australian Airways.{{cite news |first=Steve |last=Meacham |title=Battle for the air |work= The Guide|page=4 |date= 28 May 2007}}

On 5 December 1923, Fysh married Elizabeth Eleanor ("Nell") Dove, from Hunter River, in St James Church, Sydney. They had a son and daughter, John Hudson Fysh and Wendy Elizabeth Fysh, both born in Longreach, Queensland. Fysh described his family as "his bulwark against the [company's] relentless pressures"

File:Fysh at war.jpg]]

On 25 August 1914, Fysh enlisted in the 3rd Regiment of the 1st Australian Light Horse Brigade at a training camp in Pontville, Tasmania, following the declaration of the Great War. Initially commissioned as a private, Fysh was transported from Hobart on the HMAT Geelong to Egypt on 20 October 1914. He received his training in Egypt, and arrived at Gallipoli in May 1915; only two weeks after the initial Anzacs had arrived.Gunn (1985). "The Defeat of Distance", p. 7 Fysh was evacuated in December 1915, after serving for 7 months in the Australian Imperial Force.

{{quote|We lived like rats in their holes, and hung on to our hillside with the enemy on one side and the beach a few hundred yards away on the other.|Hudson Fysh|on the Gallipoli Campaign}}

He served in Palestine and Sinai, fighting in the Palestine Campaign for the 'C' Squadron of the Light Horse Regiment. He was transferred from Palestine on 17 July 1916, to the 1st Light Horse Brigade, Machine Gun Squadron. First promoted to corporal, he was commissioned as a lieutenant in January 1917. Fighting under lieutenant Ross Smith in the Light Horse, he soon replaced Smith as the section officer when Smith was transferred to the Flying Corps.

In July 1917, Fysh requested a transfer from the Light Horse Brigade to the Royal Flying Corps. After months of training, he qualified as an observer and gunner, in October 1917. Originally fighting for the Royal Flying Corps No. 67 squadron, he later fought for the No.1 Squadron of the Australian Flying Corps, under the command of Major Richard Williams.

In the Flying Corps, Fysh was gunner to Major Sydney W. Addison{{cite web|access-date=9 October 2007 |url=http://www.australianflyingcorps.org/2004_2002/people/rollofhonour/stookeernest.html |title=Australian Flying Corps Roll of Honour—Lieutenant Ernest C. Stooke |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927003141/http://www.australianflyingcorps.org/2004_2002/people/rollofhonour/stookeernest.html |archive-date=27 September 2007 |url-status=dead }} and later to Lieutenant Paul McGinness. Engaging in battle as gunner in a Bristol Fighter,{{cite web|url=http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/australi/fysh.php|title=Wilmot Hudson Fysh—The Aerodrome|access-date=13 October 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070301113049/http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/australi/fysh.php|archive-date=1 March 2007}} against German and Turkish aircraft in the Middle Eastern campaigns,Stackhouse (1995). "...from the dawn of aviation", p. 16 Fysh was an observer ace, shooting down 5 enemy aircraft.{{cite web|access-date=9 October 2007 |url=http://www.australianflyingcorps.org/2002_1999/afc_aces.htm |title=The Aces of the Australian Flying Corps |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927003208/http://www.australianflyingcorps.org/2002_1999/afc_aces.htm |archive-date=27 September 2007 |url-status=dead }}{{cite book|last=Huet|first=Chris|date=January–February 2004|title=Flight Safety Australia|publisher=Civil Aviation Safety Authority|edition=Volume 8, Number 1|url=http://www.casa.gov.au/fsa/2004/feb/jan-feb04.pdf|chapter=Conquering the Southern Skies|chapter-url=http://www.casa.gov.au/fsa/2004/feb/26-33.pdf|access-date=16 October 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929092857/http://www.casa.gov.au/fsa/2004/feb/jan-feb04.pdf|archive-date=29 September 2007}} On 8 January 1919, Fysh was recommended for the Distinguished Flying Cross.{{cite web|url=http://www.qantas.com.au/info/about/history/details3 |title=Qantas history—The Men Who Established Qantas |access-date=14 October 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071010110458/http://www.qantas.com.au/info/about/history/details3 |archive-date=10 October 2007 |url-status=dead }} The award was gazetted in the London Gazette and the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 8 February 1919 and 23 May 1919 respectively.{{cite web|title=Honours and awards (gazetted)—Hudson Fysh|url=http://www.awm.gov.au/honours/honours/person.asp?p=DFC017|access-date=22 November 2007}}

File:S Addison and H Fysh.jpg

His citation read: {{quote|For gallantry in air combat and in attacking ground objectives. On 31 August 1918 this officer, acting as Observer to Lieutenant McGuiness [sic!], DCM, attacked and destroyed two hostile two-seater aeroplanes ... On previous occasions (23 June and 3 August 1918) this Officer has engaged in combats, resulting in the destruction of enemy aircraft as well as forcing enemy machines to land ... ...He has always shown great skill and gallantry on these and other occasions.[http://www.awm.gov.au/cms_images/awm28/2/116/0016.pdf Honours and awards (Recommendations: First World War) – Recommendation for Hudson Fysh] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160109053037/https://www.awm.gov.au/cms_images/awm28/2/116/0016.pdf |date=9 January 2016 }}. Retrieved 22 November 2007.}}

File:Hudson Fysh with Nieuport 23 during WWI.jpg aircraft]]

On 28 February 1919, at Heliopolis, Fysh received his flying licence, graduating as a scout pilot.{{cite web|access-date=9 October 2007|url=http://cas.awm.gov.au/PROD/cst.acct_master?surl=998615590ZZZCMLGCTSDUK71543&stype=4&simplesearch=&v_umo=&v_product_id=&screen_name=&screen_parms=&screen_type=RIGHT&bvers=5&bplatform=Netscape&bos=Win32|title=Image of Fysh' pilot licence at the Australian War Memorial}}{{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}{{cite web|access-date=9 October 2007 |url=http://www.qantas.com.au/info/about/history/details3 |title=The Men Who Established Qantas |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071008204909/http://www.qantas.com.au/info/about/history/details3 |archive-date=8 October 2007 |url-status=dead }} In March 1919, an announcement was made by the Prime Minister of Australia, William Morris Hughes, of a Great Air Race for the "first successful flight to Australia from Great Britain in a machine manned by Australians".Stackhouse (1995). "...from the dawn of aviation", p. 17 The prize money was £A10,000 (or £8,000 sterling), under the condition that the flight is completed within 720 hours, and before midnight of 31 December 1919. Deciding to join the race, Fysh regrouped with Paul McGinness as his co-pilot.{{cite web|access-date=19 July 2009|url=http://www.qfom.com.au/theBigTrip.html|title=QANTAS Founders Outback Museum—The big trip|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090912074147/http://www.qfom.com.au/theBigTrip.html|archive-date=12 September 2009}}{{cite web|access-date=9 October 2007 |url=http://www.qantas.com.au/info/about/history/details1 |title=Qantas history—The Inspiration |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927001309/http://www.qantas.com.au/info/about/history/details1 |archive-date=27 September 2007 |url-status=dead }}

To fund the race, McGinness approached Sir Samuel McCaughey, the man who donated the plane that McGinness flew in for World War I. McCaughey agreed to fund the race, and they were joined by Arthur Baird, their flight-sergeant engineer during the war.Brown (1997). "Aviation History", p. 17. Prior to the race, on 25 July 1919, McCaughey died and his executors refused to honour his agreement with McGinness. As a result, plans for the race were abandoned. Instead, Fysh and McGinness were commissioned to survey Northern Australia for the preparation of the Air Race, by Major-General James Gordon Legge (later Lieutenant-General) from the Defence Department.{{cite book |title=Linking a Nation: Australia's Transport and Communications 1788 – 1970 |url=http://www.ahc.gov.au/publications/linking-nation/index.html |year=2003 |publisher=Australian Heritage Commission |isbn=0-642-23561-9 |chapter=Chapter 8 The Rise of Civil Aviation to 1970 |chapter-url=http://www.ahc.gov.au/publications/linking-nation/chapter-8.html |access-date=16 October 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071031222028/http://www.ahc.gov.au/publications/linking-nation/index.html |archive-date=31 October 2007 }} They were instructed to survey the route from the town of Longreach, past Katherine, and ending at the state capital of Darwin, in the Northern Territory.Stackhouse (1995). "...from the dawn of aviation", p. 18{{cite news |title=Flight paths of endurance |work=Features |page= 61|date=31 July 2006}}{{cite news |first=Bruce |last=Harris |title=Magnificent machines, home-grown legends |url=http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/12/16/1071336964936.html?from=storyrhs |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=17 December 2003 |access-date=8 December 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020013800/http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/12/16/1071336964936.html?from=storyrhs |archive-date=20 October 2012 }}

Arriving in Longreach in August 1919, they acquired a Model T Ford, as a transport for the survey, and were accompanied by a mechanic, George Gorham.{{cite web|access-date=9 October 2007|url=http://www.qantas.com.au/infodetail/about/FactFiles.pdf|title=Fact File—Qantas at a Glance|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927230839/http://www.qantas.com.au/infodetail/about/FactFiles.pdf|archive-date=27 September 2011}} Leaving Longreach on 18 August 1919, the group traveled through Winton, Kynuna and McKinlay, reaching the town of Cloncurry on 20 August 1919. They were the first people to travel across the Gulf of Carpentaria, using an automobile. The team traveled through Burketown, the stations of Westmoreland and Wollorgorang, before reaching Hobble Chain Creek. From there, they traveled through Big Running Creek, Calvert River, Warbys Lagoon, Snake Lagoon, Fulch River, Werrin River, Fletcher River, Feathertop Creek. As none of the rivers have bridges, the group had to wade across the rivers. Following a route taken by Ludwig Leichhardt in 1845, they reached Borroloola. Fysh began a diary of maps and photography, to record their journey across Northern Australia.

File:Great air race survey.jpg]]

Leaving Borroloola on 25 September 1919, they followed the Roper River, and arriving at Katherine on 8 October 1919. From Katherine, they took a train, Leaping Lena, to Darwin. In total, the pair had traveled through 2180 kilometre in their Model T Ford, taking up 51 days for their trip from Longreach to Katherine.{{cite news |title=Fledgling company that has kept on changing |page=7|work=News and Features |date=15 December 2006 }} As a result of their journey across the outback, the group found Legge's route lacking the necessary open space for aircraft landing. Fysh and McGinness became convinced that an alternate route through the Barkly Tableland will be more convenient for the winners of the air race, after talking to some motorcyclists from Sydney.

Upon reaching Darwin, McGinness and Gorham traveled back to Cloncurry to survey and build landing routes on the way there, while Fysh was to stay in Darwin and create suitable landing strips there and at Katherine. In a letter addressed to General Legge dated to 30 October 1919, Fysh rejected the use of the racecourse in Darwin, which was originally picked by Reginald Lloyd (the head of the first ground survey to find a suitable route for the aircraft), as the landing ground for the winning aircraft. He then suggested an alternate strip, locating one near Fannie Bay, to the north of Darwin.Gunn (1985). "The Defeat of Distance", p. 12 Shortly before the landing of the Smith brothers, the landing strip at Fannie Bay was completed at the cost of £A700.Gunn (1985). "The Defeat of Distance", p. 13

On 10 December 1919, the team of Ross Smith, Keith Smith, Jim Bennett and Wally Shiers, winners of the Great Race, arrived in Darwin and were greeted by Fysh (as the official representative of the Defence Department).{{cite web|access-date=9 October 2007 |url=http://www.australianflyingcorps.org/2004_2002/people/aces/smithross.html |title=Captain Ross M. Smith. KBE, DFC and two bars, MC and bar, AFC |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927003239/http://www.australianflyingcorps.org/2004_2002/people/aces/smithross.html |archive-date=27 September 2007 |url-status=dead }} Deciding to return to Longreach in May 1920, Fysh met Alexander Kennedy, when he was given hospitality in Kennedy's homestead, Bushby Park.Stackhouse (1995). "...from the dawn of aviation", p. 22{{cite book|last=Fysh|first=Hudson|year=1974|title=Australian Dictionary of Biography|publisher=Melbourne University Press|edition=Volume 5|url=http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/|chapter=Kennedy, Alexander (1837—1936)|chapter-url=http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/biogs/A050018b.htm|pages=14–15|access-date=16 October 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070613123624/http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/|archive-date=13 June 2007|url-status=live}} As McGinness had stopped at the homestead earlier on his way to Cloncurry, Kennedy told Fysh about McGinness' idea of an airline service for the region.{{cite news|first=Leon|last=Gettler |page=12|title=How to succeed in business without really naming |work=Business |publisher= The Age (Melbourne)|date=8 January 2007 }}

File:T Ford 1919.jpg

After reuniting at the Cloncurry Post Office, McGinness and Fysh started to make plans to build their airline service, confident in the future of commercial aviation.{{cite web|access-date=19 July 2009 |url=http://www.qfom.com.au/establishingQF.html |title=QANTAS Founders Outback Museum—Establishing Q.A.N.T.A.S. |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090912074120/http://www.qfom.com.au/establishingQF.html |archive-date=12 September 2009 }}{{cite news|title=Jetting to global high|work=News|page=21|publisher= Herald Sun (Melbourne) |date=15 December 2006 }} Writing about his experiences in the outback in his autobiography, Fysh commented that: {{quote|We could not help being struck by the natural advantages which favoured the establishment of an air service in the district... We were convinced of the important part aircraft would eventually play in transporting mail, passengers and freight over the sparsely populated and practically roadless areas of western and northern Queensland and North Australia.}}

Earlier on, McGinness had met a grazier, Fergus McMaster, when McMaster's car axle had broken down on a bed in Cloncurry River. McGinness fixed the car, gaining the respect of McMaster.{{cite book|last=McDonald|first=Lorna L.|year=1986|title=Australian Dictionary of Biography|publisher=Melbourne University Press|edition=Volume 10|url=http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/|chapter=McMaster, Sir Fergus (1879—1950)|chapter-url=http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/biogs/A100330b.htm|access-date=16 October 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070613123624/http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/|archive-date=13 June 2007|url-status=live}} McGinness and Fysh headed off to Brisbane, further developing their plan along the way. Coincidentally, McMaster also went to Brisbane. Upon realising this, Fysh and McGinness, explained their airline plans to him. The initial plans for the airline service consisted of joyriding, air taxi trips and charter services spanning the Northern Territory— Western Queensland region of Australia.Simpson (2004). "On The Move", p. 139.{{cite web|access-date=9 October 2007 |url=http://www.qantas.com.au/info/about/history/details2 |title=Qantas history—Small Beginnings |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927001545/http://www.qantas.com.au/info/about/history/details2 |archive-date=27 September 2007 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web|url=http://www.janesoceania.com/australia_history_concise/index.htm|title=A Concise History of Australia|access-date=14 October 2007|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071216201832/http://www.janesoceania.com/australia_history_concise/index.htm|archive-date=16 December 2007}}{{cite news |title= Sir Hudson Fysh, Founded Airline|work= METRO Local News Obituaries Classified |date= 9 April 1974 | page = C5}} As a result, on 20 June 1920 in Brisbane's Gresham Hotel, McGinness, Fysh, McMaster and Alan Campbell, an adviser for the Queensland Primary Producers, began to register the new airline company. The registration of the company was not finalised that day. It took several months before a name and the necessary funds were found for the business.

Funds for the company were lacking. Demonstrating his faith in the airline, Fysh invested his savings of £A500 (£400 sterlings), while McGinness invested £1000. After being contacted by the group, Arthur Baird joined them in the idea, once again closing his garage business.Gunn (1985). "The Defeat of Distance", p. 23{{cite web|access-date=19 July 2009|title=QANTAS Founders Outback Museum—Meet the Originals: Arthur Baird|url=http://www.qfom.com.au/arthurBaird.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090912074725/http://www.qfom.com.au/arthurBaird.html|archive-date=12 September 2009}} A main investor for Qantas was Ainslie Templeton, a friend of Fergus McMaster and a woolgrower in the Longreach district, who promised to match McMaster's investments in the "air service project", upon being told of the idea.Gunn (1985). "The Defeat of Distance", p. 20 Fysh and McGinness then traveled through the towns in the Northern Territory and Queensland, asking for investments for the airline. They were met with positive responses. After observing a shareholder writing "Donation" across the cheque butt, Fysh wrote:{{quote|...like others, he subscribed out of postwar patriotic sentiment for two young returned men, and out of the hope that in the roadless and bridgeless western plains, where all road transport ceased following heavy rain, perhaps the aeroplane might serve a useful purpose.}}

File:Qantas First Office Longreach Queensland 1921slnsw a1178007u.jpg

After trying many different names for the company, the Queensland And Northern Territory Aerial Services Limited or Qantas was chosen, a name that McMaster later stated was created "with Anzac as its inspiring factor".Stackhouse (1995). "...from the dawn of aviation", p. 24 Qantas was formed on 16 November 1920, with Fysh, McGinness, McMaster, Ainslie Templeton, and Alan Campbell in the Gresham Hotel,{{cite news|title=Flying high on the smell of castor oil|work=Features|date=16 November 2005|page=40}} with an initial paid-up capital of £A6,700 (£5,360 sterlings).{{cite news |title=Sir Hudson Fysh – The founding of Qantas Airways |work=Obituary |publisher=The Times (London) |page= 16|date= 9 April 1974}} The job of executive chairman of the airline was given to McMaster, with Winton becoming the head office and "the official birthplace of Qantas".{{cite web|url=http://www.qantas.com.au/info/about/history/details4 |title=Qantas history—The Plane, the Place and the Passenger |access-date=14 October 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071010112527/http://www.qantas.com.au/info/about/history/details4 |archive-date=10 October 2007 |url-status=dead }}{{cite news |first=Geoff |last=Easdown |title=Qantas through the years |url=http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,20801657-662,00.html |work=Herald Sun |date= 22 November 2006|access-date=27 October 2007 }}{{cite news |first=Kevin |last=Meade |title=The town where a sacred name took flight |url=http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,20930483-2702,00.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121215183143/http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,20930483-2702,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=15 December 2012 |work=The Australian |date=15 December 2006 |access-date=14 October 2007 }}

Partially due to McMaster's intervention, the original plans for air-taxi work and joyriding gave way for airmail services,{{cite news |first= Leora|last=Moldofsky |title=Business Builders |work= Time 100|publisher=Time South Pacific (Australia/New Zealand edition)|page=119 |date=25 October 1999 }} which would link communication in the settlements between Darwin and Longreach.Stackhouse (1995). "...from the dawn of aviation", p. 30 McMaster summarised it as "an aerial mail service from Longreach to Port Darwin, connecting at Winton, Cloncurry, Avon Downs, Anthony Lagoon, Newcastle Waters and The Katherine", therefore making it the longest direct air service in the world at that time.Gunn (1985). "The Defeat of Distance", p. 25 Another plan for Qantas came forth with Dr Frederick Archibald Michod, a doctor and aviator in Longreach who became foundation director of Qantas after its formation. Visiting cattle stations and private properties to give medical treatment, Michod was aware of the difficulties faced in the outback. Establishing a hospital in Longreach, he often used his aircraft as an aerial ambulance. He proposed an idea for a "flying doctor",{{cite speech| title = They still call Longreach Home| author = Richard Wesley| date = 15–16 September 2001| location = MAQ State Conference, Cairns| url = http://www.magsq.com.au/_dbase_upl/Longreach.pdf| access-date = 12 October 2006| format = PDF| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071127030328/http://www.magsq.com.au/_dbase_upl/Longreach.pdf| archive-date = 27 November 2007| url-status = live| df = dmy-all}} which would later take form in the late 1920s with the Presbyterian minister, John Flynn.Lock (2001). "The Oxford Illustrated Companion to Medicine".

The airline was provided with a wool store as their first hangar by A.J.B. McMaster, owner of Alba Woolscour, original Qantas shareholder and older Brother of Sir Fergus McMaster.web|url=http://blogs.slq.qld.gov.au/jol/2008/10/17/andrew-john-baxter-mcmaster/ {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180621143326/http://blogs.slq.qld.gov.au/jol/2008/10/17/andrew-john-baxter-mcmaster/ |date=21 June 2018 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.matildacentre.com.au/EducationCentre_Timeline.asp |title=Education Centre: Winton Timeline |access-date=14 October 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070829014328/http://www.matildacentre.com.au/EducationCentre_Timeline.asp |archive-date=29 August 2007 |url-status=dead }} On 7 February 1921, the first and only Qantas board meeting in Winton was held in the Winton Club, three days after the pilots landed, on 10 February. A quick decision was made to move Qantas headquarters to Longreach, which would be more central to operations, with easier access to passengers and spare parts.

File:QANTAS B.E.2e.jpg

In August 1920, Fysh and McGinness ordered their first aircraft for the company from Mascot Aerodrome, the first airport in AustraliaEames (2000). "Sydney Airport". – two Avro 504K with Sunbeam Dyak engines, bought at £A1,425 each.{{cite news |first=James |last=Cockington |title= Catch the flying kangaroo |work=Money |date=17 October 2007|page=13}}{{cite web|access-date=9 October 2007|url=http://www.blueaustral.com/travel/qantas/|title=Qantas profile at Blueaustral|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070707071657/http://www.blueaustral.com/travel/qantas/|archive-date=7 July 2007}} The purchase for the 504K was dated 19 August 1920, and under the name of The Western Queensland Auto Aero Service Limited. The Avro was one of the original, of six, military aircraft built in Australia by AA & E Co. Ltd. upon the orders of the Commonwealth Government for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). AA & E later went into liquidation after falling to their cheaper British competitors.

However a delay in the engines caused anxiety in the pilots, with their financial circumstance lingering. A decision was soon put up to order a third aircraft, with the company considering both the Avro 547 triplane and the "Westland Limousine Machine". After initial misgiving by McMaster, Fysh and McGinness finally settled for the Avro triplane. The Avro 547 was bought for £A2,798, and was considered a revolution in airplane technology, able to hold 4 passengers in an enclosed cabin. The Avro had also won a £A10,000 competition sponsored by the Daily Mail for the "best commercial aircraft". Due to their financial circumstances however, the order for one of the Avro 504K was cancelled.Gunn (1985). "The Defeat of Distance", p. 24

After being informed that the Dyak engine was ready by the owner of the Aerodrome, Nigel Love, on 23 November 1920; they were told that the Avro 504K would be ready by December. However the aircraft was delayed until 25 January 1923, upon which McGinness send a wire message to McMaster stating that all tests have been complete with satisfactory results. Fysh, who was also in Mascot, was left redundant due to the cancellation of the second Avro 504K,Gunn (1985). "The Defeat of Distance", p. 26 until Charles Knight, a Longreach stock and station agent, requested him to fly a RAF B.E.2e back to Longreach. Despite only having thirty minutes of practice on the BE2e during his pilot licence training, Fysh agreed to fly it, with Baird as his passenger. Fysh later stated that "when I took the aeroplane over, the problem of my own temporary redundancy was solved".Gunn (1985). "The Defeat of Distance", p. 27

On 31 January 1921, 6 days after McGinness sent the message to McMaster, McGinness, Fysh and Baird took off from Mascot aiming to reach Moree before dark. Due to the strong winds and turbulence, the BE2e began to spin, disorientating Fysh in the process. Landing his aircraft on an upside slope of a hill, they came to rest near a miner's cottage. Fysh and Baird soon found out that they were near Red Head mine (formally named "Lambton B Pit"), close to Singleton.{{cite news |first=Mike |last=Scanlon |title=Fright path|work= The Newcastle Herald|date=16 June 2007 |page=14 }}Gunn (1985). "The Defeat of Distance", p. 28

Joining McGinness, who had safely arrived in Singleton, they flew northwards; stopping at Moree, St. George, Charleville, Blackall, and then at Barcaldine, the last stop before reaching Longreach. Meeting at Barcaldine with McMaster, who had caught the train from Rockhampton to the town, McMaster decided to fly with them to Longreach, hoping their arrival in the town would be "impressive and historical". Reaching Longreach in the scheduled time, the flight beat the mail train from Barcaldine by 20 minutes despite the train leaving Barcaldine 2-hour earlier. Mapping the airline's short-term future in the Shakespeare Hotel in Longreach, they soon planned the last leg of the journey to Winton.Gunn (1985). "The Defeat of Distance", p. 29

With Ainslie Templeton accompanying McMaster and McGinness in the Avro, Fysh flew with the owner of the aircraft, Charles Knight, to Winton on 7 February 1921. The trip of one and a half hours took considerably longer than that, with McGinness steering in the wrong direction, causing them to lose their path. They finally reached Winton after 3 hours of flight, with 15 minutes worth of fuel left.Gunn (1985). "The Defeat of Distance", p. 30 After "landing gracefully" to the cheering of a crowd in Winton, they were "entertained at a smoke concert at the North Gregory Hotel.""Winton Herald", August 1920. Retrieved 9 October 2007. In the hotel, McMaster outlined the links between aviation and defence, in reference to the future of Qantas.Gunn (1985). "The Defeat of Distance", p. 31

{{quote|This commercial aviation company should get your support as Australians not investors; not for the dividends it is likely to bring, but for the great influence it may have in the administration, development and defense [sic] of Australia.}}

The next day, the 2 aircraft took off from Winton to return to Longreach. With Knight as his passenger in the BE2e, Fysh lost his way, missing Longreach by {{convert|20|mi|km}}; he navigated his way back to the town by following the Thompson River. The journey, coupled with the earlier delayed trip when flying from Longreach to Winton, proved to be too much for Knight, who sold the BE2e to the company upon landing, swearing that "nothing would induce him to fly again."Gunn (1985). "The Defeat of Distance", p. 32 The cost of the aircraft was £A450 which was partially bought, as insisted by McMaster, in the form of shares to the airline company.Gunn (1985). "The Defeat of Distance", p. 33

File:Queensland State Archives 3051 Arrival at Longreach of the Armstrong Whitworth FK8 with the first bag of air mail on the inaugural flight of the first Qantas air service from Charleville to Cloncurry 22 November 1922.png

File:Hudson Fysh and K.G. Jackson.jpg

In 1922, Qantas was successful in bidding for the second Australian scheduled air route, which was to be established between Charleville and Cloncurry. The route was backed by the government, procured by relations between Qantas and regional politicians. While still piloting regularly until 1930, hard working Fysh studied business and management, and became managing director in 1923. When the airmail route to England was planned, Qantas successfully tendered, with Fysh involved in planning the route in the years 1931 to 1933. The final agreement saw Qantas flying the airmail to Singapore, where British Imperial Airways would take over. 1934, Qantas and Imperial Airways built a new company, Qantas Empire Airways, with both companies holding 50% of the stock. Fysh became managing director in the new formed company as well. He was also a co-founder of the Tasman Empire Airways Ltd in 1940, which later should become Air New Zealand.

Second World War was hitting the prospering business of Qantas hard. Japanese attacks in Singapore destroyed half of Qantas' fleet, the airport in Darwin was under attack as well. Fysh, still an officer in the RAAF, took responsibility for using Qantas equipment in war-related efforts, for example evacuation and supply flights. In 1946, the Australian government bought Qantas for market value. Fysh was the only manager of the company who supported this course of events. After finishing the negotiations, he became chairman of now government-owned Qantas, succeeding his co-founder McMasters. In 1955 he retired from the position as managing director. After controversies with the rest of the Qantas board, he eventually retired as chairman in 1966.

File:Qantas Rising.jpg

A writer of aviation history, Fysh authored many books during and after his career.{{cite encyclopedia |encyclopedia=Encyclopedia of Australia |title=Fysh, Sir (Wilmot) Hudson|publisher=Webster Publishing }} In the biography Taming the North: The Story of Alexander Kennedy and Other Queensland Pathfinders which was first published in 1933, Fysh details the life of Alexander Kennedy, the first paying passenger for Qantas and a well-known pastoralist,{{cite web|url=http://www.fastbooks.com.au/Qantas.html|title=The Qantas Foundation Memorial Book Set|access-date=13 October 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071018225956/http://www.fastbooks.com.au/Qantas.html|archive-date=18 October 2007}} later recording Kennedy's life in the Australian Dictionary of Biography. Fysh also wrote The Log of the Astraea, a book on the Imperial Airways monoplane airliner Astraea and the events surrounding the airmail flights to England, which eventually led towards Qantas' partnership with the Imperial Airways.Gunn (1985). "The Defeat of Distance", p. 147

However his most successful publication was an autobiographical trilogy dealing with Qantas' history and its role in World War II and transportation in Australia. The first book in the trilogy, Qantas Rising: The Autobiography of the Flying Fysh, is an autobiography of Fysh's life, from World War I and the development of Qantas to the expansion of Qantas into Qantas Empire Airways in the mid-1930s.Higham (1966). "Technology and Culture". p. 560-561. The book was "one of the very few autobiographies of airline pioneers", and was noted as "much to be welcomed" by critical review.

The second book in the series, Qantas at War, was written about the changes of Qantas and the Imperial Airways in times of nationalization and war. The book follows the dispute between Qantas.Higham (1969). "Technology and Culture", 119–120. Following the positive response from the prior book in the trilogy, Qantas at War was compared to Winston Churchill's six-volume history series The Second World War. Higham (an aviation historian and professor of history) wrote that they (The Second World War and Qantas at War) "are well-written memoirs of the higher direction" and "both leave room for other works which will more mundanely examine the whole of the problems and set the story in its general milieu". When addressing future historians, he states that they "will ever remain most grateful to Sir Hudson for these memoirs".

The trilogy was completed with Wings to the World which was published in 1970. The book oversaw the expansion of Qantas, from the introduction of the Super Constellations to the beginnings of the jet era. Taming of the North, Qantas Rising, Qantas at War and Wings of the World, alongside Front-Line Airline by E. Bennett-Bremner, was selected for a series titled the Qantas Foundation Memorial Book Set.{{cite web|title=Reader's guide|url=http://www.abc.net.au/money/vault/argo/s11910.htm|publisher=Money, Markets and the Economy – ABC|access-date=18 April 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121109004403/http://www.abc.net.au/money/vault/argo/s11910.htm|archive-date=9 November 2012|url-status=dead}} Also authoring a biography on Henry Reed, titled Henry Reed: Van Diemen's Land pioneer in Hobart, 1973, Fysh wrote a profile on the merchant in the Australian Dictionary of Biography in 1967.Fysh (1973). "Henry Reed".{{cite book|last=Fysh|first=Hudson|year=1967|title=Australian Dictionary of Biography|publisher=Melbourne University Press|edition=Volume 2|url=http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/|chapter=Reed, Henry (1806—1880)|chapter-url=http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/biogs/A020326b.htm|access-date=16 October 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070613123624/http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/|archive-date=13 June 2007|url-status=live}} He also wrote a treatise on trout fishing, Round the bend in the stream, in 1968.{{cite web|last=Keam|first=Rick|url=http://www.alpineangler.com.au/index.cfm?PageID=21|title=The Alpine Angler: Hooked on Books|access-date=14 October 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070829104119/http://www.alpineangler.com.au/index.cfm?PageID=21|archive-date=29 August 2007}}

As a result of his contributions to international aviation, he was knighted in 1953, becoming a Knight-Commander of the Order of the British Empire.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article50563162 |title=11 AUSTRALIAN KNIGHTS |newspaper=The Courier-mail |location=Queensland, Australia |date=1 June 1953 |access-date=22 March 2020 |page=1 |via=Trove }}

He received an honorary Engineering Doctorate in 1971.

After Fysh's death on 6 April 1974, to mark the centenary year of Australia Day, he was named in the list of "100 most influential Australians of the century" by the Sydney Morning Herald.{{cite news|last=Stephens|first=Tony|title=The most influential Australians|date=22 January 2001|url=http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2002/06/20/1023864476347.html|access-date=26 April 2009|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090125143045/http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2002/06/20/1023864476347.html|archive-date=25 January 2009}}

In theatrical productions, Fysh was portrayed by Brendan Hanson in the Australian television mini-series, Air Australia, a documentary depicting the history of early Australian aviation.{{cite book|title=Air Australia—Teachers Notes|url=http://www.filmaust.com.au/programs/teachers_notes/8847_AA_notes.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070709225639/http://www.filmaust.com.au/programs/teachers_notes/8847_AA_Notes.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=9 July 2007|publisher=Film Australia|access-date=29 November 2007}}

In 2002, Fysh was inducted into the Pacific Air Travel Association's Gallery of Legends for "personal excellence, integrity and a lifetime contribution to travel and tourism", the tenth person ever to be inducted.{{cite press release |title=Qantas Founder Inducted into Gallery of Legends |publisher=PATA Communications |date=15 April 2002 |url=http://www.pata.org/patasite/index.php?id=90&backPID=90&begin_at=90&tt_news=128 |access-date=29 November 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928063458/http://www.pata.org/patasite/index.php?id=90&backPID=90&begin_at=90&tt_news=128 |archive-date=28 September 2007 }}

In late 2008, an Airbus A380 was named after Hudson Fysh in recognition of his contribution to the aviation industry and Qantas.{{cite web |url=http://www.qantas.com.au/regions/dyn/au/publicaffairs/details?ArticleID=2008/nov08/3852 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120213162738/http://www.qantas.com.au/regions/dyn/au/publicaffairs/details?ArticleID=2008%2Fnov08%2F3852 |url-status=dead |archive-date=13 February 2012 |title=Qantas A380s to Honour Our Aviation Pioneers |date=16 November 2008 |publisher=Qantas |access-date=3 September 2020 }}{{cite news|last=Platt|first=Craig|title=Qantas receives second A380 superjumbo|date=16 December 2008|url=http://www.smh.com.au/travel/qantas-receives-second-a380-superjumbo-20081216-6ze4.html|access-date=18 July 2009|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090609142829/http://www.smh.com.au/travel/qantas-receives-second-a380-superjumbo-20081216-6ze4.html|archive-date=9 June 2009}}

There is a Hudson Fysh Avenue in Parap, Northern Territory near the old Darwin Airport runway.

The sample card of Qantas Frequent Flyer and Qantas credit card products all have W H Fysh as placeholder name.{{Cite web|url=https://www.ausbt.com.au/new-look-qantas-frequent-flyer-cards-on-the-way|title=New-look Qantas Frequent Flyer cards on the way|last=Flynn|first=David|date=18 July 2013|website=Australian Business Traveller|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171115214945/https://www.ausbt.com.au/new-look-qantas-frequent-flyer-cards-on-the-way|archive-date=15 November 2017|access-date=16 November 2017}}

• Fergus McMaster
• Qantas

{{reflist|30em}}

{{refbegin}}

• {{cite book |last= Brown|first= John|title= Aviation History|edition= Volume 7, Issue 6|date=July 1997|publisher= Weider History Group |chapter=Qantas: Birth of an airplane down under}}
• {{cite book |last=Eames |first=Jim |editor= Andrea Smith |title=Sydney Airport—80 Years as the Gateway to Australia |year=2000|publisher=Focus Publishing |location=Australia |isbn=1-875359-64-8 |chapter=The History—Changing fortunes }}
• {{cite book| last = Fysh| first = Wilmot Hudson| year = 1965| title = Qantas Rising| publisher = Qantas Foundation| location = Australia}}
• {{cite book| last = Fysh| first = Wilmot Hudson| year = 1968| title = Qantas at War| publisher = Qantas Foundation| location = Australia}}
• {{cite book| last = Fysh| first = Wilmot Hudson| year = 1970| title = Wings to the World| publisher = Qantas Foundation| location = Australia}}
• {{cite book|last=Fysh|first=Wilmot Hudson|year=1971|publisher=University of Tasmania|title=Commemoration ceremony 1971, address by Sir Hudson Fysh on receiving the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Engineering|isbn=0-85901-010-4|location=Hobart}}
• {{cite book| last = Fysh| first = Wilmot Hudson| year = 1973| title = Henry Reed: Van Diemen's Land Pioneer| publisher = Cat & Fiddle Press| location = Australia}}
• {{cite book |last=Gunn |first=John |title=The Defeat of Distance: QANTAS 1919–1939 |year=1985 |publisher=University of Queensland Press |location=St Lucia |isbn=0-7022-1707-7 |url=https://archive.org/details/defeatofdistance00gunn }}
• {{cite book |last=Gunn |first=John |title=Challenging horizons: Qantas 1939-1954 |year=1987 |publisher=University of Queensland Press |location=St Lucia |isbn= 0-7022-2017-5}}
• {{cite book |last=Gunn |first=John |title=High Corridors: QANTAS, 1954-1970 |year=1988 |publisher=University of Queensland Press |location=St Lucia |isbn= 0-7022-2128-7}}
• {{cite book |last=Gunn |first=John |title= Contested Skies: Trans-Australian Airlines, 1946-1992 |year=1999|publisher=University of Queensland Press|location=St Lucia|isbn=0-7022-3073-1}}
• {{cite book |last=Hall |first=Timothy |title=Flying high: The story of Hudson Fysh, Qantas, and the trail-blazing days of aviation |year=1979|publisher=Methuen of Australia |isbn=0-454-00036-7}}
• {{cite book |last= Higham|first= Robin |title= Technology and Culture|edition= Volume 7, Number 4|year=1966 |publisher= The Johns Hopkins University Press|pages=560–561 |chapter=Book Reviews}}
• {{cite book |last= Higham|first= Robin |title= Technology and Culture|edition= Volume 10, Number 1|date=January 1969 |publisher= The Johns Hopkins University Press|pages=119–120 |chapter=Book Reviews}}
• {{cite book |last1=Kieza |first1=Grantlee |title=Hudson Fysh: The extraordinary life of the WWI hero who founded Qantas and gave Australia its wings |date=2022 |publisher=ABC Books |location=Sydney |isbn=9780733341533 |url={{GBurl|Grantlee}}}}
• {{cite book |last=Lock |first=Stephen |author2=Dunea, George |author3=Last, John M. |title=The Oxford Illustrated Companion to Medicine |year=2001 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=0-19-262950-6 |url=https://archive.org/details/oxfordillustrate00step }}
• {{cite book |last=Simpson|first=Margaret|editor= Anne Savage |title= On the Move: A History of Transport in Australia|year= 2004|publisher=Powerhouse Publishing |location= Sydney|isbn=1-86317-101-0 |chapter= Aviation}}
• {{cite book |last=Stackhouse |first=John |title=...from the dawn of aviation. The QANTAS Story 1920 ~ 1995 |year=1995 |publisher=Focus Publishing |isbn=1-875359-23-0}}

{{refend}}

• [https://collection.sl.nsw.gov.au/record/YRlZojVn Sir Hudson Fysh papers, ca.1817-1974], Include papers, ca. 1922-1966 in files with a detailed list compiled by Sir Hudson Fysh; correspondence 1912-1974, diaries and personal items, 1917-1973, speeches and articles, etc. ca. 1817-1974; manuscripts of published works and records of Qantas and associated companies, 1920-1927, [https://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/ State Library of NSW].
• [https://collection.sl.nsw.gov.au/record/Yj7dzWl9 Sir Hudson Fysh further papers, 1921-1970], Include articles, speeches, press statements, messages to staff etc. mainly on aviation; and typescript copies of Qantas Gazette bound with printed copies, Jan 1925, Nov 1929, Jan. 1930, Dec. 1934, [https://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/ State Library of NSW].
• [https://collection.sl.nsw.gov.au/record/92eJpbbY Sir Hudson Fysh further papers, 1913-1974], [https://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/ State Library of NSW].
• [https://collection.sl.nsw.gov.au/record/9NaE8w2Y Sir Hudson Fysh - papers concerning Qantas Empire Airways, 1950-1961], This collection consists of the following 2 series. 1. Chairman's inwards correspondence registers, 1950-1958, 2. Chairman's personal and miscellaneous correspondence files, 1952-1961, [https://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/ State Library of NSW].
• [https://collection.sl.nsw.gov.au/record/nQReBAL1 File 070: Qantas and correspondence with Sir Hudson Fysh, 1966-1969], [https://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/ State Library of NSW].

• [https://collection.sl.nsw.gov.au/record/94RxojK1 Sir Hudson Fysh - glass plate negatives], [https://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/ State Library of NSW]
• [https://collection.sl.nsw.gov.au/record/16AQJadn Series 02: Sir Hudson Fysh pictorial collection], [https://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/ State Library of NSW]

{{Commons category|Hudson Fysh}}

• G. Barker, [https://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/stories/aviation-australia/origins-australian-icon Aviation in Australia: the origins of an Australian icon], [https://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/ State Library of New South Wales]
• [https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/fysh-sir-wilmot-hudson-6263 J. Percival, Fysh, Sir Wilmot Hudson (1895–1974)], Australian Dictionary of Biography, Volume 8, Melbourne University Press, 1981, pp. 603-605

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Fysh, Hudson}}

Category:1895 births

Category:1974 deaths

Category:People educated at Launceston Church Grammar School

Category:People educated at Geelong Grammar School

Category:People from Launceston, Tasmania

Category:Australian recipients of the Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)

Category:Australian Knights Commander of the Order of the British Empire

Category:Australian World War I flying aces

Category:Australian military personnel of World War I

Category:Airline founders

Category:Australian company founders

Category:Qantas people

Category:20th-century Australian businesspeople

Category:20th-century Australian historians