Norman Brearley
| Sir Norman Brearley | |
|---|---|
|
Norman Brearley in the 1920s | |
| Born |
1890 Geelong, Victoria, Australia |
| Died | 9 June 1989 |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Occupation | Pilot |
| Title | Sir |
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Sir Norman Brearley CBE DSO MC AFC FRAeS (1890 – 9 June 1989) was a commercial and military pilot and one of the pioneers of the airline industry within Australia.
Early life
Born in Geelong, Victoria in 1890, Brearley moved to Western Australia in 1906.[1]
Aviation career
In April, 1915, after undertaking a 5-year apprenticeship as a mechanic, he worked his way to the United Kingdom and subsequently enlisted in the Royal Flying Corps.[2] Whilst flying in France during World War I he was badly wounded in October, 1916, and returned to Western Australia to recover.[2]
In 1921, Brearley founded West Australian Airways Ltd.[1] In the same year, Brearley was issued with the first civil pilot's licence under the 1921 Air Navigation Regulations.[1] Despite his holding licence No. 2, licence No. 1 was not issued until the 1930s in honour of Amy Johnson's record flight from London to Australia.[1]
In 1927, Brearley opened the Perth Flying School at Maylands. He retired from commercial aviation in 1936 when he merged his airline with Australian National Airways.[2]
Later life
He later served with the Royal Australian Air Force during World War II.[1]
Brearley was knighted in 1971.[1]
Brearley died on 9 June 1989.[1]
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Brearley Pilot's Licences, Treasures of the Battye Library". State Library of Western Australia. Retrieved 2007-07-15.
- 1 2 3 "Australia's First Airline Service". Spirits of Ansett. Retrieved 2007-07-15. External link in
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Further reading
- Brearley, Norman, Sir, and Mayman, Ted (1971) Australian aviator Adelaide, Rigby. ISBN 0-85179-227-8
- Mayman, Ted (1979). "Sir Norman Brearley, the aviator", in Hunt, Lyall (ed): Westralian Portraits. Nedlands: University of Western Australia Press, 193–198. ISBN 0-85564-157-6.
- Statesmen & Scholars And other fascinating Western Australians: A Tour Guide for the Karrakatta Cemetery Historical Walk Trail 1, page 8, at Metropolitan Cemeteries Board (WA).