Sir Gordon Taylor | |
|---|---|
 Captain Gordon Taylor c.1917 | |
| Born | (1896-10-21)21 October 1896 Mosman, New South Wales |
| Died | 15 December 1966(1966-12-15) (aged 70) Honolulu,Hawaii |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom Australia |
| Service | Royal Flying Corps Royal Australian Air Force |
| Years of service | 1916–19 1943–44 |
| Rank | Squadron leader |
| Battles / wars | First World War Second World War |
| Awards | George Cross Knight Bachelor Military Cross |
Sir Patrick Gordon Taylor,GC, MC (21 October 1896 – 15 December 1966), commonly known asBill Taylor, was an Australianaviator andauthor. He was born inMosman, Sydney, and died inHonolulu.
Taylor attendedThe Armidale School in northernNew South Wales. At the beginning of theFirst World War he applied to join theAustralian Flying Corps but was rejected. He subsequently went toBritain and was commissioned into theRoyal Flying Corps in 1916, joining No. 66 Squadron. He was awarded theMilitary Cross in 1917 and promoted to captain, also serving with Nos. 94 and 88 Squadrons.
Following the war, he returned to Australia and embarked on a career incivil aviation, working as a private pilot forde Havilland Aircraft Company in the 1920s. He flew as a captain withAustralian National Airways 1930–31. He also completed an engineering course and studied aerial navigation.
He served as a second pilot or navigator on pioneering flights withCharles Kingsford Smith,Charles Ulm and others. During the 1935 Australia-New Zealand airmail flight withCharles Kingsford Smith, the starboard engine failed and the crew decided to return to Sydney, where the aircraft was buffeted by strong winds. It was decided that fuel and cargo must be jettisoned. During these conditions, Taylor made six journeys outside the cabin of theSouthern Cross, climbing along the under-wing strut to drain the oil from the useless motor and transfer this to the overheating port motor. Taylor's actions, with the addition of Smith's flying skills, resulted in the plane making its way back to land safely. Taylor was later awarded theEmpire Gallantry Medal for his actions,[1] which was later exchanged for theGeorge Cross.
In 1943 he was commissioned flying officer in theRoyal Australian Air Force, transferring to theRoyal Air Force in 1944. During the Second World War, Captain Taylor served as aferry pilot for theAir Transport Auxiliary.Taylor wasknighted in 1954.[2][3]
Books authored by Taylor include:
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| People | |
| Other | |
