HONOUR TO CHICHESTER

Hokitika Guardian, 29 January 1932, Page 7

HONOUR TO CHICHESTER

JOHNSTON MEMORIAL PRIZE. MOST NOTABLE FEAT OF NAVIGATION. • What is the Guild of Air Pilots and Air Navigators? It is a new body set up on the model of the old City Guilds of medieval days, modified to suit modern notions. One thing which it has set out to do is to give honour to those who distinguish themselves in their hazardous calling, and on its second annual meeting the work adjudged most deserving of honour was that 01 Mr F. C. Chichester for his flight from New Zealand to Norfolk Island. The’ Giiild sat ill could Complete with deptity-inastei 1 , wardens aild members. They welcomed the Prili.ce of Wales to the function and His Royal Highness presented to Mr Chichester a trophy which is likely to become the most honoured possession of pilots in the whole world.

Tt i« the Johnston Memorial plaque, which is to he awarded each year by the Guild to the airman who performs the most notable feat of navigation during the year. It commemorates Squadron-Lender Jlrnest Johnston, founder and animator of the Guild, who perished in the destruction of the airship RlOl, of which he was navigator. Mr Chichester won the plaque, a silver map of the world, for his remarkable flight from New Zealand to Norfolk Island and thence to Lord Howe Island in the Pacific, distances of 470 and 450 miles, on to islands of the relative size of targets, carried out by pure solar navigation. More than 100 airmen were present at the gathering. Famous men were among them, and many others unknown to fame vet of fame-merit. There were pilots who have flown more than «■ million miles—W. Rogers. H. TT. Perry. F. Dismore, all of the pre-war generation. hut still living every day; A. L. Lawford, the first to fly in a regular cross-Channel service; 0. P. Jones and A. L. Robinson, Captain Lawrence Hope, winner of King’s Cup air races, chief among tourers and emergency flyers, mm