Sir Charles Kingsford Smith

This suburb of Kingsford was named after Sir Charles Kingsford Smith.

Acknowledged in his time as the world’s greatest aviator, Charles Kingsford Smith was born on 9 February 1897 in Brisbane.  He graduated in engineering from Sydney Technical College and at 18 he enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force.  During World War I, “Smithy” served at Gallipoli, in Egypt and in France before transferring to the Royal Flying Corps where he discovered his great passion for flying.  For his gallantry in the skies over France, when he was only 20, he was awarded the Military Cross.

After his war service “Smithy” went on to become an extraordinary pioneer of civil aviation and air mail routes.  He created more flying records than anyone else in the world at that time and quickly became a national hero.

“Smithy” was awarded a knighthood in 1932 for his services to aviation.  Sir Charles Kingsford Smith was an international celebrity and universally admired for his courage, daring and his sense of adventure.  When lost over Borneo in 1935 on a flight from England to Australia his untimely death at 38 was a great loss to the nation.

In 1936, ‘Kingsford’ was chosen from a competition sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce, naming this suburb in honour of this remarkable pioneer aviator.

The Chamber of Commerce sees it as fitting that we continue to honour the man 75 years after he disappeared while on an epic flight from England to Australia.  In particular we want young people and the community to be aware that Australians across many fields of endeavour have made substantial contributions to the creation of this great nation.