H. G. Hawker, airman: his life and work

by Muriel Hawker

Admiral Sir Rosslyn Wemyss, First Sea Lord, telegraphed from a place which, as Mr. Marlowe said, was significantly indicated by a blank space:

“I regret that, owing to my having a Service engagement, I am unable to accept your kind invitation for to-morrow. I shall be glad if you will inform Mr. Hawker and Commander Grieve how sorry I am that I am prevented from joining in your welcome to them after their gallant attempt to fly the Atlantic.”

Lord Weir, the late Secretary of State for Air, wiring from Glasgow, said:

“I sincerely regret that, owing to my departure for the United States, I am unable to accept your kind invitation to the welcome luncheon to Hawker and Grieve to-morrow. In affording this opportunity to two gallant airmen, the Daily Mail has shown the same spirit of enterprise which has always characterised its efforts on behalf of aviation.”

Lord Northcliffe, who, as I have already stated, could not be present owing to illness, wrote:

“I regret that my physicians forbid my taking part in any public functions just now. Had I been present to-day I should have liked to elaborate a few outstanding facts connected with this occasion.

“The war has shown us that the courage of the sister nations of Australasia, Canada, South Africa, and Newfoundland is every whit equal to that of the small Motherland from which they sprang. The partnership of Hawker—the Australian flier—and Grieve, of the Royal Navy, has proved what can be achieved by unity of members of our British Commonwealth.

“Their flight is as great a step forward in the march of science as was the first important but unsuccessful attempt to lay the Atlantic cable, and it will so rank in history. The lessons they have learned will help forward the time when a direct Atlantic flight will be almost as easy as, and even more useful than, that across the English Channel.

“As remarkable as the exploits of our two heroes is the immutable confidence in Divine Providence of Muriel Hawker, who not for one instant faltered in her absolute belief that her husband would be restored to her.