Charles Kingsford Smith - Miscellaneous, Family and Facts
Home › Australian › Charles Kingsford SmithFebruary 9, 1897356 viewsCharles Kingsford Smith's Personal Details
Sir Charles Kingsford Smith was a renowned Australian aviator
| Information | Detail |
|---|---|
| Birthday | February 9, 1897 |
| Died on | November 8, 1935 |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Famous | Miscellaneous, Aviators |
| Known as | Кингсфорд-Смит, Чарльз |
| Universities |
|
| Founder / Co-Founder |
|
| Cause of death |
|
| Birth Place | Hamilton |
| Gender | Male |
| Sun Sign | Aquarius |
| Born in | Hamilton |
| Famous as | Aviator |
| Died at Age | 38 |
// Famous Miscellaneous
Jason Simpson
Jason Simpson is the son of former NFL running back, broadcaster and actor O. J. Simpson. Check out this biography to know about his childhood, family, life, and little known facts about him.
Melissa Brim
Melissa Brim is the ex-girlfriend of former professional boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. Check out this biography to know about her birthday, childhood, family life, achievements and fun facts about her.
Joyce Meyer
Joyce Meyer is a Christian author and speaker. This biography provides detailed information about her childhood, life, achievements, works & timeline
Charles Kingsford Smith's photo
Who is Charles Kingsford Smith?
Sir Charles Kingsford Smith, often called ‘Smithy’, was an Australian aviator, whose passion for flying earned him much popularity across the world. His flying skills and record-breaking flights earned him the title of ‘World’s Greatest Pilot’. He spent his childhood in Canada and Sydney, and though good at studies, he was known to be an adventure loving boy with an interest for riding bikes. After the completing his electrical engineering, he enlisted in the army and it was here that Charles Kingsford Smith realised his passion to pursue flying. However, an attack left him injured and he subsequently had to leave military service. Post his recovery; he attempted various initiatives like beginning joy-riding flight services, establishing air mail transport services etc. During his time, he set multiple flight records including flying the pioneer trans-pacific flight, completing an around-the-world flying expedition, flying in the Australian mainland without stops and establishing an air route between Australia and New Zealand. His achievements were recognised by the armed forces and he was awarded honorary titles and military decorations. He drew international fame due to his bravery, competence and constant pursuit of adventure.
// Famous Aviators
Dieter Dengler
Dieter Dengler was a German-born United States Navy aviator who was the first captured U.S. pilot who escaped enemy captivity during the Vietnam war. Check out this biography to know about his childhood, family life and achievements.
Howard Hughes
Howard Hughes was an American aviator, business tycoon, philanthropist and also a film maker. This biography explores his childhood, career, achievements and timeline.
Alan Shepard
Alan Shepard was the first American to travel into space. Find more about his childhood, family, personal life, space career, achievements, etc.
Childhood & Early Life
Charles Kingsford Smith was born on 9 February 1897 at Hamilton in Brisbane, Australia. He was the seventh child of banker William Charles Smith and his wife Catherine Mary, née Kingsford.
At the age of six, he along with his family moved to Canada, however, the family returned to Sydney in 1907. In Canada, he attended schools in Vancouver and upon his return to Sydney, he completed his education from St Andrew's Cathedral Choir School.
He later pursued studies in mechanics and electrical engineering from the Sydney Technical High School. He graduated as an electrical engineer at the age of 16.
Career
After completing his studies, he began work at the Colonial Sugar Refining Company as an apprentice engineer. With the onset of the World War I in 1914, he was keen to join the army, but he had to wait until 1915 as he was not yet 18 years old.
Initially he joined in the Australian Army – First Australian Imperial Force and served as a motorcycle despatch rider. In 1917, he was transferred to the Royal Flying Corps (R.F.C.) as a pilot. It is while he was serving as a pilot that he realised his passion for flying.
In 1917, during one of his missions, he was shot in the foot by enemy forces and as a result a large part of his left foot had to be amputated. Upon his recovery and return to service, he worked as a flying instructor at the R.F.C.
In 1918, he along with several other team members was transferred to the newly established Royal Air Force. However, citing insufficient navigational experience, he was not allowed to participate in the England to Australia Air race of 1919. At this point he along with his friend began a joy riding flight service in England named Kingsford Smith, Maddocks Aeros Ltd.
He later travelled to the United States of America and worked as a stuntsman for a short period. After failing to find sponsors to support his interest in flying a trans-Pacific flight, he returned to Sydney in 1921.
Upon his arrival in Sydney, he took up work at a joy riding Flight Company called ‘Diggers' Aviation Co’. Later, he worked as a salaried pilot with Western Australian Airways Ltd. He was among the first airline pilots in Australia at the time.
After realizing the scope of air transport in Australia, he raised funds from public and in 1928, he along with aviator Charles Ulm bought a three-engine Fokker plane from USA. He modified the plane and called it ‘Southern Cross’.
On 31 May 1928, Charles Kingsford Smith along with his four member crew including Charles Ulm embarked on their initial trans-Pacific flight, from California to Australia. The feat was achieved in three parts and in a total flying time of 83 hours and 38 minutes.
In 1928, he along with Charles Ulm flew between Victoria and Perth without any stops. Upon setting this record; they registered themselves as Australian National Airways with the aim of operating mail services. The operations began in 1930, however, the following year one of its carrier went missing over the Snowy Mountains. Financial difficulties led to the closure of the company soon after.
In 1929, he flew from Sydney to London in a record-breaking time of 12 days and 18 hours. The same year he made a second attempt on the same route. While flying the Southern Cross from Sydney to England, the plane had to make an emergency landing at the the flats of the Glenelg River estuary.
The plane was rescued after a fortnight long search operation and during this time two friends of Charles Kingsford Smith who had set out to aid in the search and rescue met with an accident and eventually died of exposure and thirst.
Charles Kingsford Smith was blamed for the death of his two friends and media accused the emergency landing as a publicity stunt. Even though it was proved an accident and he was exonerated, the incident plagued him for the rest of his life.
In 1929, he accomplished the record of completing the first round-the-world flight in 12 days and 18 hours. His passion for flying was so strong that he achieved the record of flying solo for 10000 miles in the England to Australia Air Race in 1930.
A few years later, in 1933, he broke his own record for a solo flight between Australia and England by covering the distance in 7 days and 4 hours. Between 1933 and 1934, he flew multiple times between Australia and New Zealand and broke his own record each time he flew.
Charles Kingsford Smith was successful in his initial attempt to execute an east to west crossing of the Pacific Ocean from Australia to the USA.
On 6 November 1935 he along with co-pilot Tommy Pethybridge embarked on a journey in the plane called ‘Lady Southern Cross’. However, after 7 November 1935, the plane went missing. It is assumed that the plane crashed into the sea off the coast of Burma.
Major Works
Sir Charles Kingsford Smith earned fame with the successful trans-Pacific flight from the USA to Australia. He was known to have set records and reset his own records in most of his flights. He is also remembered as an aviator who was the first to complete round-the–world expedition. His other accomplishments include his non-stop flights in Australian mainland and completion of the first ever east to west journey over the Pacific Ocean.
Awards & Achievements
He was awarded the Military Cross by the British Armed Forces in 1917 'for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty'.
In 1928, he was awarded the Air Force Cross by the United Kingdom Armed Forces.
The Royal Automobile Club presented him the Segrave Trophy in 1930.In 1932, he was listed in the King’s Birthday Honours list as ‘Knight Bachelor’. The same year he was appointed as the honorary Air Commodore of the Royal Australian Air Force.
Personal Life & Legacy:
In 1923, Charles Kingsford Smith married Thelma Eileen Hope Corboy. However, the couple separated ways in 1929.
In 1930, he married Mary Powell. The couple had a son named Charles.
On 8 November 1935, his plane went missing in the midst of a record breaking attempt to fly from England to Australia. It is believed that the plane crashed in sea near Burma. He was 38 years at the time of his death.
His aircraft ‘Southern Cross’ is preserved and maintained at the memorial for Sir Charles Kingsford Smith at Brisbane.
Trivia:
In 1906, he, along with a friend, was swept into the sea and they were almost drowned at the Bondi beach. They were rescued by lifesavers; this incident left him with a fear for water throughout his life.
Sir Charles Kingsford Smith is featured on an Australian Dollar 20 note.
He appeared in a cameo role in the film ‘Splendid Fellows’ in 1934.
In 1944, a documentary f was made on him titled ‘The Old Bus’. Two years later an Australian film ‘Smithy’ was made on his life.
// Famous Australian peoples
Jacob Elordi
Jacob Elordi is an Australian actor. Let’s take a look at his childhood, family, personal life, career, etc.
Tyde Levi
Tyde Levi is an Australian singer and social media personality. Let’s have a look at his family and personal life including age, date of birth, girlfriends, net worth, and fun facts.
Mariamstar1
Mariamstar1 is an Australian Musical.ly Star. Let’s have a look at her family & personal life including age, date of birth, net worth, and fun facts.
Charles Kingsford Smith biography timelines
- // 9th Feb 1897Charles Kingsford Smith was born on 9 February 1897 at Hamilton in Brisbane, Australia. He was the seventh child of banker William Charles Smith and his wife Catherine Mary, née Kingsford.
- // 1906In 1906, he, along with a friend, was swept into the sea and they were almost drowned at the Bondi beach. They were rescued by lifesavers; this incident left him with a fear for water throughout his life.
- // 1907At the age of six, he along with his family moved to Canada, however, the family returned to Sydney in 1907. In Canada, he attended schools in Vancouver and upon his return to Sydney, he completed his education from St Andrew's Cathedral Choir School.
- // 1914 To 1915After completing his studies, he began work at the Colonial Sugar Refining Company as an apprentice engineer. With the onset of the World War I in 1914, he was keen to join the army, but he had to wait until 1915 as he was not yet 18 years old.
- // 1917Initially he joined in the Australian Army – First Australian Imperial Force and served as a motorcycle despatch rider. In 1917, he was transferred to the Royal Flying Corps (R.F.C.) as a pilot. It is while he was serving as a pilot that he realised his passion for flying.
- // 1917In 1917, during one of his missions, he was shot in the foot by enemy forces and as a result a large part of his left foot had to be amputated. Upon his recovery and return to service, he worked as a flying instructor at the R.F.C.
- // 1917He was awarded the Military Cross by the British Armed Forces in 1917 'for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty'.
- // 1918 To 1919In 1918, he along with several other team members was transferred to the newly established Royal Air Force. However, citing insufficient navigational experience, he was not allowed to participate in the England to Australia Air race of 1919. At this point he along with his friend began a joy riding flight service in England named Kingsford Smith, Maddocks Aeros Ltd.
- // 1921He later travelled to the United States of America and worked as a stuntsman for a short period. After failing to find sponsors to support his interest in flying a trans-Pacific flight, he returned to Sydney in 1921.
- // 1923 To 1929In 1923, Charles Kingsford Smith married Thelma Eileen Hope Corboy. However, the couple separated ways in 1929.
- // 1928After realizing the scope of air transport in Australia, he raised funds from public and in 1928, he along with aviator Charles Ulm bought a three-engine Fokker plane from USA. He modified the plane and called it ‘Southern Cross’.
- // 1928 To 1930In 1928, he along with Charles Ulm flew between Victoria and Perth without any stops. Upon setting this record; they registered themselves as Australian National Airways with the aim of operating mail services. The operations began in 1930, however, the following year one of its carrier went missing over the Snowy Mountains. Financial difficulties led to the closure of the company soon after.
- // 1928In 1928, he was awarded the Air Force Cross by the United Kingdom Armed Forces.
- // 31st May 1928On 31 May 1928, Charles Kingsford Smith along with his four member crew including Charles Ulm embarked on their initial trans-Pacific flight, from California to Australia. The feat was achieved in three parts and in a total flying time of 83 hours and 38 minutes.
- // 1929In 1929, he flew from Sydney to London in a record-breaking time of 12 days and 18 hours. The same year he made a second attempt on the same route. While flying the Southern Cross from Sydney to England, the plane had to make an emergency landing at the the flats of the Glenelg River estuary.
- // 1930 To 1932The Royal Automobile Club presented him the Segrave Trophy in 1930.In 1932, he was listed in the King’s Birthday Honours list as ‘Knight Bachelor’. The same year he was appointed as the honorary Air Commodore of the Royal Australian Air Force.
- // 1930In 1930, he married Mary Powell. The couple had a son named Charles.
- // 1934He appeared in a cameo role in the film ‘Splendid Fellows’ in 1934.
- // 7th Nov 1935On 6 November 1935 he along with co-pilot Tommy Pethybridge embarked on a journey in the plane called ‘Lady Southern Cross’. However, after 7 November 1935, the plane went missing. It is assumed that the plane crashed into the sea off the coast of Burma.
- // 8th Nov 1935On 8 November 1935, his plane went missing in the midst of a record breaking attempt to fly from England to Australia. It is believed that the plane crashed in sea near Burma. He was 38 years at the time of his death.
// Famous Aquarius Celebrities peoples
Jessii Vee
Check out all that you wanted to know about Jessii Vee, the famous Canadian Vlogger & YouTube Personality; her birthday, her family and personal life, her boyfriends, fun trivia facts and more.
Luara Fonseca
Luara Fonseca, known on the web as “luaraff,” is a musical.ly star. Check out this biography to know about her childhood, family life, achievements and fun facts about her.
Shane Blanchard
Shane Blanchard is an American TV actor. Let’s take a look at his family and personal life including age, birthday, net worth, family life and some fun facts.
Nora Fatehi
Nora Fatehi is a dancer, model, and actress of Indo–Arabic descent. This biography profiles her childhood, family, personal life, etc.
Soni Nicole Bringas
Soni Nicole Bringas is an American dancer and actress. Let’s have a look at her family and personal life including age. Date of birth, boyfriends, net worth, and fun facts.
Davis Cleveland
Davis Cleveland is an American actor. Let’s have a look at his family & personal life including age, net worth, and fun facts.
Charles Kingsford Smith's FAQ
What is Charles Kingsford Smith birthday?
Charles Kingsford Smith was born at 1897-02-09
When was Charles Kingsford Smith died?
Charles Kingsford Smith was died at 1935-11-08
Where was Charles Kingsford Smith died?
Charles Kingsford Smith was died in Andaman Sea
Which age was Charles Kingsford Smith died?
Charles Kingsford Smith was died at age 38
Where is Charles Kingsford Smith's birth place?
Charles Kingsford Smith was born in Hamilton
What is Charles Kingsford Smith nationalities?
Charles Kingsford Smith's nationalities is Australian
What was Charles Kingsford Smith universities?
Charles Kingsford Smith studied at St Andrew's Cathedral School, Sydney Technical High School
Which company or organization was founded by Charles Kingsford Smith?
Charles Kingsford Smith was the founder/co-founder of Australian National Airways
What is Charles Kingsford Smith's cause of dead?
Charles Kingsford Smith dead because of Accident
What is Charles Kingsford Smith's sun sign?
Charles Kingsford Smith is Aquarius
How famous is Charles Kingsford Smith?
Charles Kingsford Smith is famouse as Aviator