World War I flying aces the stars of exhibition at Salisbury Council

AMONG thousands of books in the Royal Australian Air Force Association's collection are a few gems which tell the stories of our World War I flying aces.

30/3/15 - Bill Chappell of the Royal Australian Air Force Association has put on an exhibition of South Australian WWI flying aces at the Salisbury Civic Centre. There are nine men featured in the exhibition which includes original memorabilia as well as extensive information on each man's life and career. Photo Naomi Jellicoe

AMONG thousands of books in the Royal Australian Air Force Association's collection are a few gems which tell the stories of our World War I flying aces.

The South Australian men who risked, and in some cases lost, their lives above the battlefields of Europe during the war are now featured in an exhibition at the John Harvey Gallery at Salisbury Council.

The exhibition includes World War I artefacts and the drawings and diary of pilot-turned-prisoner Archie Rackett.

It also features the stories of the nine men, including Australian aviation pioneer Sir Ross Smith and Smithfield-born Thomas Baker.

Exhibition curator and Elizabeth/Salisbury RAAFA president Bill Chappell said many of stories were already part of World War I folklore, but some were buried in the group’s archives.

“We’ve got about 3000 books in town which I’m putting into a library (at the RAAFA),” Mr Chappell said.

“It was while I was going through all this stuff that I came across the Archie Rackett story and his original drawing and gloves and things that were hidden away.

“He got shot down over Belgium and was taken prisoner in a German camp, but he got beaten up by the German Army and then the German air force fellas came along and took him away and they looked after him.”

Mr Chappell said many of the aces began their military careers as horsemen.

“They found the best flyers were blokes who were horsemen or came from the rural areas and joined the light horse brigade,” he said.

“I think it’s just their dexterity and decision making.”

The exhibition is open on selected dates until April 22.

More info: salisbury.sa.gov.au/our_city/arts_and_culture/

This story is part of Messenger’s 100 Years, 100 Days, 100 Stories project, which will profile 100 South Australian World War I heroes as the nation builds up to the centenary of the Allied landing on Gallipoli on April 25, 1915.

Originally published as World War I flying aces the stars of exhibition at Salisbury Council