A Noosaville woman’s family connection to the birth of Qantas has been included in best-selling author Grantlee Kieza’s latest book.
The book, Hudson Fysh, tells the story of the best known of the founders of Qantas, a Tasmanian World War I hero who would go on to lead the national airline for nearly half a century. And it mentions Lis Thomson’s grandfather, John, who was an initial financial backer and director of the airline.
Fysh and Paul McGinness had fought at Gallipoli, then joined the Air Force, engaging in dogfights with Germans in the Middle East campaign. As McGinness’s gunner, Fysh was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.
Three years after the war, Fysh and McGinness, with the support of some graziers in western Queensland and the Northern Territory, launched their little bush company, the Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Services, QANTAS.
They hoped to interest people living in remote areas to use aviation to overcome the tyranny of distance. But they needed capital, and one of the graziers came to the rescue.
Fergus McMaster put up 1000 pounds, but more was needed, so he called on wealthy friends in Brisbane seeking loans.
One of these was John Thomson, who owned a bookshop in Queen Street and had fought alongside McMaster in France. Two days before the Armistice, Thomson had been shot in the legs.
When McMaster asked, Thomson told his old war buddy he was happy to put up “a cool 100 pounds”.
Qantas was incorporated in 1920 and John Thomson was a member at the board’s first meeting in Winton in February 1921.
Lis Thomson’s family has understandably held great regard for Qantas over the years, always travelling with the airline. Earlier this year Lis flew Qantas to Europe for the umpteenth time.
Author Grantlee Kieza met Lis in Noosaville recently and presented her with a signed advanced copy of Hudson Fysh.
“It was a pleasure to meet Lis and see her affection for Qantas,” he said.
“The story of Hudson Fysh and his airline is one of the great stories in Australian history – the story of a World War 1 hero who started a little bush airline with two rickety biplanes and was still running it when Qantas ordered its first jumbo jets.“
But Grantlee learnt something from the Thomson family that his meticulous research had not uncovered.
“When [then Qantas chairman] Fergus McMaster came to give my grandfather his money back, my grandmother told him to keep it,” Lis told him.
Hudson Fysh, published by ABC Books, is available at The River Read in Noosaville and Annie’s Books at Peregian Beach.
