Lloyd Hughes tells us about this remarkable race:
“The date of 20 October 1934 marks one of the least known international air races to date and yet remains one of the most important. 2024 marks the 90th anniversary and its history will be celebrated with several displays at Mildenhall Museum, drawing much attention from visitors, many of whom, up to now, have no knowledge of the race’s existence. It was, however, an event that brought worldwide interest to this small market town, described at the time as “a place few people have heard of”.
“Going back a few years to the early 1930s the economy of the world was suffering from severe depression but to counter the mood, the Lord Mayor of Melbourne decided to plan for a grand celebration to mark the centenary of that city. He conceived the idea of an international air race as a means of focussing world attention on the city and, then as now in these matters, sponsorship was needed. The person he went to for this sponsorship was Sir Macpherson Robertson, a millionaire sweet manufacturer, who fitted the part perfectly as having had a career that was the classic story of rags to riches.”
“There had been previous air races, at least one between England and Australia in 1919, which had ended in tragedy for several of the aircraft involved and Sir Macpherson finally agreed on condition that everything possible should be done to reduce the risk of further accidents. The Royal Aero Club of the United Kingdom agreed to supervise the race and a date was chosen for the start: 20th October 1934. The idea was beset with problems from the beginning, and it began to look at one point like the race would never happen; it wasn’t until June of 1934 that serious consideration was even given to the actual starting place. Eventually Mildenhall was considered. The inspection team were impressed with the size of the take off area and the extent of the hanger accommodation but put off by the lack of amenities and the remote location. Thought was given to improve the hanger accommodation at the second choice, Hatfield, but prohibitive costs once more put Mildenhall in the frame. Reluctantly the committee made their selection and Mildenhall was given the job.”
“The competition was divided into two parts, a speed race and a handicap section. Because of the earlier fears of safety very strict regulations were enforced and it looked at one point that England would have no suitable aircraft to compete but in January the de Havilland Aircraft Company announced it was building a new racing monoplane. This was The Comet, built in record time, and three were purchased for entry in the race. Although 63 competitors initially registered this number had been reduced to 30 by the time the official programme was published, eventually there being only 20 starters.”
“It seems that when the Race committee arrived in Mildenhall on 14th October they were met with a scene of utter chaos. The acting Chief Marshal, a Flt Lt Christopher Clarkson, reported that crowd control had utterly broken down and competitors were complaining about damage to their aircraft. Local hotel accommodation was grossly inadequate and, as the station had not yet been equipped by the RAF, many essential items were lacking. A potato sack was used as a rough and ready windsock, later replaced by two pillowcases sewn together which was then replaced on the day of the race by a more impressive blue and crimson item lent by the Household Brigade Flying Club. The organisers were thrown into more of a frenzy when they found out that a morning visit by the Price of Wales would be followed by a surprise afternoon visit of the King and Queen. An exhibition of low-level aerobatics was quickly put on for the visitors.”
“The night of the 19th October will never be forgotten by those living in the district. The race had caught the public imagination and 60,000 people came to witness the start. Dinner jackets and flimsy dresses were much in evidence walking across the adjacent fields, the area by now resembling a gigantic fair. By dawn every road within miles was choked with cars. Some had left their vehicles and crossed farmland on foot whilst others were held up miles from the town and simply couldn’t make it in time. Some local farmers opened up their fields as car parks, although a Mr Leonard, of Folly Road, was not one of these. He is reported to have been most disconcerted when he found that two strangers were charging 2/6d, not a small amount in 1934, for visitors to park on his land. Also reported is the story that the land lady of the B&B where Amy (Johnson) stayed said her ”guest” had left without paying and wanted the 7/6d owed.”
“The race was started at 6.30am. by the acting Lord Mayor of London, Sir Alfred Bower, and first to take off was the DH Comet flown by Amy and Jim Mollinson, followed every 45 seconds by the next in line. Everyone had to follow roughly the same route with official check points at Baghdad, Allahabad (now Prayagraj), Singapore, Darwin and Charleville before Melbourne, a distance of 11,300 miles.”
“The first to cross the finishing line was the DH Comet “Grosvenor House” piloted by C.W.A Scott and T. Campbell-Black. A gold cup and £10,000 was theirs. They had won both the speed and handicap race but, abiding by the rules, gave up the handicap prize to the KLM entrants, Moll and Parmentier, who piloted a DC2 into second place carrying 3 passengers and mail bags, proving that an air service to Australia was possible. Even more competitors arrived before the race officially ended on 5th November although a valiant straggler, a Fairey Fox flown by Hemsworth and Parer limped home on 13th February 1935. Generously, Sir Macpherson presented them with gold medals. Only one fatal accident marred the race, another Fairey Fox flown by New Zelanders Gilman and Baines.”
“The winning Comet is now preserved in the Shuttleworth Collection at Old Warden Aerodrome near Bedford and it is hoped that during the celebrations in 2024 it might fly again. A housing estate in Mildenhall has its roads named after various people and planes to do with the Air Race and remains one of the lasting reminders outside of the Museum that it ever took place, the “Comet” cinema now having been demolished.”
“With thanks to the late Dr Colin Dring for much of this information.”