![Charles James Melrose](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8f/Charles_James_Melrose.jpeg)
Charles James Melrose (13 September 1913 – 5 July 1936) was an Australian aviator who held a number of flying records, and was the youngest and only solo flier to finish the
Melbourne (MacRobertson) Centenary Air Race in 1934.
History
Jimmy was a son of James Melrose of Wangaraleednie Station, Franklin Harbor, near
Cowell, South Australia
Cowell is a coastal town on Franklin Harbor on the eastern side of the Eyre Peninsula, in South Australia on the Lincoln Highway 111 km south of the major town of Whyalla. It is 493 km by road from Adelaide.
Franklin Harbor is a natu ...
, a member of the wealthy pastoral family headed by
George Melrose (1806–1894) of "Rosebank",
Mount Pleasant. His mother, Hilda Westley Melrose, née Billing, was the second wife of James Melrose, who died a few months before Jimmy's 10th birthday. Jimmy was educated at
St. Peter's College and took his first flying lessons at
Parafield while still at school, gaining his pilot's licence at age 19.
He flew a
DH80A Puss Moth registered VH-UQO and christened "My Hildergarde" to England just after his 21st birthday to compete in the race, reaching
Croydon
Croydon is a large town in south London, England, south of Charing Cross. Part of the London Borough of Croydon, a local government district of Greater London. It is one of the largest commercial districts in Greater London, with an extensi ...
in 8 days, 9 hours; a record. He finished the race in 10 days, 16 hours: earning sixth place, second on handicap, the youngest and only solo flier to complete the course. He also owned a
Leopard Moth, a faster plane that could not be made ready in time for the race. He gained much assistance from his uncle,
Noel Billing, founder of the
Supermarine
Supermarine was a British aircraft manufacturer that is most famous for producing the Supermarine Spitfire, Spitfire fighter plane during World War II as well as a range of seaplanes and flying boats, and a series of Jet engine, jet-powered figh ...
company.
In November 1935 he was again returning to Australia in a
Percival Gull
The Percival Gull was a British single-engined monoplane, first flown in 1932. It was successful as a fast company transport, racing aircraft and long-range record breaker. It was developed into the Vega Gull and the Proctor.
Design and devel ...
Four registered VH-UVH christened "Westley" when he helped in the unsuccessful search for Sir
Charles Kingsford Smith
Sir Charles Edward Kingsford Smith (9 February 18978 November 1935), nicknamed Smithy, was an Australian aviation pioneer. He piloted the first transpacific flight and the first flight between Australia and New Zealand.
Kingsford Smith was b ...
around the Bay of Bengal. Melrose had been the last person to sight Kingsford Smith's Lockheed Altair in the night air as it flew above him. A public appeal to reward him financially was decried by his uncle Sir John Melrose, pointing out that the family could well afford to support Jimmy's hobby. Australia was at that time in the grip of the
Great Depression
The Great Depression (19291939) was an economic shock that impacted most countries across the world. It was a period of economic depression that became evident after a major fall in stock prices in the United States. The economic contagio ...
.
On his return from the Air Race Melrose was considering giving up racing and turning his mind to commencing an air taxi service the likes of which were virtually non-existent in the mid-1930s.
Death
He died in July 1936, at the age of 22, when his new high-wing monoplane "Billing", a
Heston Phoenix registration VH-AJM, broke up in turbulence over
South Melton, Victoria on a charter flight from
Melbourne
Melbourne ( ; Boonwurrung/Woiwurrung: ''Narrm'' or ''Naarm'') is the capital and most populous city of the Australian state of Victoria, and the second-most populous city in both Australia and Oceania. Its name generally refers to a met ...
to
Darwin. His unfortunate passenger was mining manager Lt. Col Alexander George Campbell, DSO. Two days later, over one hundred thousand people lined the streets of Melbourne to pay their last respects to this fine young flier.
Legacy
Melrose Park in
New South Wales
)
, nickname =
, image_map = New South Wales in Australia.svg
, map_caption = Location of New South Wales in AustraliaCoordinates:
, subdivision_type = Country
, subdivision_name = Australia
, established_title = Before federation
, es ...
and
Melrose Park in
South Australia
South Australia (commonly abbreviated as SA) is a state in the southern central part of Australia. It covers some of the most arid parts of the country. With a total land area of , it is the fourth-largest of Australia's states and territories ...
are both suburbs named after him, as well as James Melrose Road, which travels along the southern boundary of
Adelaide Airport
Adelaide Airport , also known as Adelaide International Airport, is the principal airport of Adelaide, South Australia and the List of the busiest airports in Australia, fifth-busiest airport in Australia, servicing 8.5 million passenger ...
. The town of
Mildenhall, Suffolk
Mildenhall is a market town and civil parish in Suffolk, England. The town is near the A11 and is located north-west of Ipswich, the county town.Ordnance Survey (2006). ''OS Explorer Map 226 - Ely & Newmarket''. . The large Royal Air Force stati ...
, UK, where the 1934 Air Race originated, has also named a street after him – Charles Melrose Close.
A monument to his memory was erected at
Stirling, South Australia
Stirling is a town in the Adelaide Hills, South Australia, approximately 15 km from the Adelaide city centre. It is administered by the Adelaide Hills Council. Neighbouring townships are Crafers and Aldgate. Other nearby towns are Heathf ...
, and has been recently renovated. He spent much of his childhood, before the death of his father, at "Glenwood" in nearby
Aldgate
Aldgate () was a gate in the former defensive wall around the City of London. It gives its name to Aldgate High Street, the first stretch of the A11 road, which included the site of the former gate.
The area of Aldgate, the most common use of ...
. A memorial plaque marks the family home at 13 South Esplanade, Glenelg, which was their winter residence from around 1916, then later their only home.
References
Sources
*Gunton, Eric ''The Jimmy Melrose Story, Australia's Youngest Air Ace.'' Published by the author 1990.
*Blake, Helen ''Boy Phoenix, C James Melrose.'' Angus and Robertson 2008.
External links
Australian Dictionary of BiographyTom Campbell Black Co-winner of the 1934 London to Melbourne Air Race75th. Anniversary of the 1934 London to Melbourne Air Race* http://jimmymelrose.com
{{DEFAULTSORT:Melrose, Jimmy
1913 births
1936 deaths
Accidental deaths in Victoria (Australia)
Australian aviation record holders
Aviators killed in aviation accidents or incidents in Australia
Victims of aviation accidents or incidents in 1936