Captain Harry Butler Memorial: Amber learns some Yorke Peninsula, region of South Australia, history
The flowing wheat fields of the Yorke Peninsula are a long way from the battlefields of World War One. But the legendary pilot and daredevil Captain Harry Butler experienced both in a varied and distinguished flying career. Born on a farm near Minlaton on the Yorke Peninsula, Harry Butler was destined to fly. He joined the Air Force as a mechanic at Point Cook but was so desperate to fly he paid his own way to England where he joined the Royal Flying Corp in 1916.
Max Cook, Historian: "He was only a mechanic there to start with but in no time they recognised his ability and he flew over France, was wounded there, won a couple of medals and so it went on."
Harry flew numerous missions and was even awarded the Air Force Cross. When he returned to his beloved Yorke Peninsula in 1919 he brought with him an AVRO Bi-plane and his beloved Red Devil - which takes pride of place in a specially built hanger in the main street of Minlaton. Harry made a name for himself as a stunt pilot and taking joy flights for 5-pounds for 15 minutes.
Max Cook: "He put the plane down on Unley Oval in front of 20,000 people - can you imagine that?"
But Harry really made a name for himself when he delivered a simple canvas mailbag from Adelaide to Minlaton on August 6th, 1919.
Max Cook: "The Red Devil is the plane that took the historic flight in August 1919 from Adelaide to Minlaton and created history. It was the first airmail, as far as we know that was carried over water in the Southern Hemisphere."
Always the showman, Harry did a quick circuit around the Adelaide GPO before heading west to his hometown. He wore a motor tube around his waste in case he had to come down in the Gulf.
But 3 years later, disaster struck when his AVRO Bi-plane crashed in a wheat field in January 1922. He suffered extensive head injuries and never really recovered - dying 18 months later. He was buried with full military honours. Harry Butler may have died young but he crammed a lot into his 34 years and the locals are determined he won't be forgotten. Even the local pub honours the great aviator with the Red Devil Café - a trendy eatery for the serious restaurant diner to the casual pub-goer.
The Minlaton folk are so proud of their Harry Butler the hanger housing the Red Devil isn't enough. They want a life-sized bronze statue of their hero.
Max Cook: "In 300 years time I look around Yorke Peninsula and I can't think of too many people they will know about in 300 years time. I'm quite convinced that they'll know about Harry Butler and we want to do all we can to make sure they do about him by building a statue in his memory."
Donations for the statue can be made to the National Trust Museum in the main street or the local Post Office. And on Thursday, the 6th of August, 2009, exactly 90 years to the day, there'll be a re-enactment of Harry's famous mail flight. A Tiger Moth will leave Parafield Airport and arrive at Minlaton between 10.30 and 11 o'clock - weather permitting - where the Minlaton Post Mistress will collect the mailbag.
The Red Devil Memorial Hanger is in the main street of Minlaton and so is the National Trust Museum, which has a special harry Butler room. It's at 16a Main Street and is open Tuesdays to Thursday mornings and Saturday until 12.
Red Devil Memorial Hanger
Main St
MinlatonNational Trust Museum
16A Main Street
Minlaton
Open Tues-Thurs 9.30am-1.00pm Sat 9.30am-12noonPublished 2nd August 2009
