Published Resources Details
Book Section
- Title
- Douglas, Gilbert Eric (1902-1970), air force officer
- In
- Australian dictionary of biography, volume 14: 1940 - 1980 Di-Kel
- Imprint
- Melbourne University Press, Melbourne, 1996, pp. 23-24
- Url
- https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/douglas-gilbert-eric-10038
- Format
- Description
Published online in 2006.
- Abstract
Quotes:
"Educated at Swinburne Technical College, Eric served three years in the senior cadets before joining the Australian Air Corps in November 1920. He enlisted in the (Royal) Australian Air Force on 31 March 1921 as an aircraftman class 2, fitter aero, and gave his religion as Methodist. "
"Following the decision to equip the British, Australian and New Zealand Antarctic Research Expedition with a Gipsy Moth seaplane, Douglas and Flying Officer Stuart Campbell were selected to accompany the explorers on their polar voyage in the summer of 1929-30. The pilots made reconnaissance flights and guided the ship, Discovery, through the ice. Because of his mechanical knowledge, Douglas had prime responsibility for maintenance of the aircraft. The expedition's leader Sir Douglas Mawson also took the Moth and its pilots on the second B.A.N.Z.A.R.E. (1930-31). A flight by Douglas and Mawson on 27 January 1931 almost ended fatally due to a mishap when the plane was being hoisted on board Discovery. In 1934 Douglas was awarded the Polar Medal in bronze with clasp 'Antarctic 1929-31'."