Image Library

In the mid 1960s substantial reconstruction of the Australian War Memorials Albatros D.Va scout aircraft was undertaken. The work was commenced by the Australian Society of World War One Aviation Historians, and was completed by personnel from the Camden Museum of Aviation under the direction of Mr Harold Thomas.

Eric Watson maintained a photographic record of the restoration of this aircraft.

• Eric Watson Collection

Born on 11 June 1884 and son of the founder of John Watson and Co, Stock and Station Agents in Bendigo, Victoria, Harold Watson joined the Royal Naval Air Service in 1915 as a Sub-Lieutenant. He was principally engaged in experimental work and some of the photos he took during his service, particularly during the 1917-18 period, are displayed here.

Stationed at the Ilse of Grain, Watson would fly many experimental types of aircraft 49 in total. He would later be sent to Canada as a flight instructor.

Post war he was a successful horse trainer, in 1928 his horse, "Altimeter" won the Adelaide Cup.

• Harold Watson Collection

David "Reg" Williams was born in Wodonga, in 1896 and later moved with his parents to Brighton-le-Sands. In 1909 Reg was inspired when George Taylor who made 29 flights at Narrabeen Beach in a motorless biplane constructed by himeself. Just before War 1 Reg built a glider out of bamboo and cloth and flew it from one of the slopes of the famous Razorback Mountain near Picton. He crashed on landing thus smashing the machine.

A successful pupil for the NSW School of Aviation's No. 1 course and via a recommendation from the NSW Government Reg enlisted in the AFC and was taken on strength witn 6 Training Squadron at Shrewsbury on January 17th, 1918. He served as a ferry pilot to Franc e for a brief time before being posted to 7 Training Squadron.

Post war he took part in the England-Australia Air Race as part of a 4 man team flying a Blackburn Kangaroo.

• David Williams Collection

Jack Wright enlisted as a Trooper in 1915 serving with the 12th Light Horse Regiment until 1916 when Wright was posted to the AFC as a Driver. After completing flight training in 1917 he was transferred to 4 Squadron serving in France and post war in Germany as part of the occupation forces.

He recounted in his autobiography how he discovered that the armistace had been declared minutes before his flight took to the air and how a young French boy became the squadron's mascot.

He served in WW2 and became a POW when Singapore fell.

• John Wright Collection