eHive Object Details

Name/TitleKeith Anderson and his fiance Bon Hlliard

About this objectKeith Anderson was a pioneer Australian airman who had been a friend and business associate of Charles Kingsford Smith. Anderson was to have been a crewman on the'Southern Cross' aircraft when Kingsford Smith and Charles Ulm flew from the United States to Australia in 1928 but he was dismissed before the flight. He subsequently sued Kingsford Smith for breach of promise. Kingsford Smith paid Anderson 1000 pounds which he used to buy a Westland Widgeon light aircraft which he christened 'Kookaburra'.

In 1929 Kingsford Smith, with a crew of three, left Richmond in NSW in the 'Southern Cross', on a round-the-world flight. They encountered bad weather, became lost, and made a forced landing in the Kimberley area of Western Australia. Radio problems meant that they could not communicate with the outside world.

Various search efforts began. Keith Anderson set off in 'Kookaburra' accompanied by Bob Hitchcock. Their aircraft had an unreliable engine and they were ill-equipped with no tools and very little food and water. Engine problems forced them down in the Tanami Desert. They fixed their engine but with no tools they were unable to clear a take-off run in the surrounding scrub.

The 'Kookaburra' was eventually found by a search aircraft but by that time Anderson and Hitchcock were dead. Anderson wrote a partial diary of their last days on a scrap of fabric from the covering of the aircraft's tail.

There was an outcry over the whole affair, with much public sympathy for Anderson and Hitchcock, their family and friends, particularly for Anderson's fiance, Bon Hilliard. There were allegations that the forced landing of the 'Southern Cross' was a publicity stunt. A Royal Commission exonerated Kingsford Smith but his reputation was permanently damaged.

One of the many slides purchased from retailers or specifically made for illustrated lectures given by Isaac Selby between c. 1930 and c. 1955 to raise money for the Old Pioneers Memorial Fund.

This image is provided for research purposes and must not be reproduced without prior permission.For a high resolution copy of this image, contact Royal Historical Society of Victoria

MakerGunn's Slides (Firm)

Maker RoleCreator Studio

Period1920-1930

Object TypeGlass slide

Subject and Association KeywordsCivil aviation

Subject and Association KeywordsFamous aviators

Subject and Association KeywordsAviation accidents

Subject and Association KeywordsLight aircraft

Medium and MaterialsGelatin silver print on glass

Named CollectionImages collection

Object numberGS-IT-74

Copyright LicenceAll rights reserved