Basil Goodwin JONES

JONES, Basil Goodwin

Service Number: 425
Enlisted: Not yet discovered
Last Rank: Flying Officer
Last Unit: No. 7 Elementary Flying Training School Western Junction
Born: Hobart, Tasmania, Australia, 12 June 1905
Home Town: Hobart, Tasmania
Schooling: Friends School Hobart, University of Tasmania
Occupation: Lawyer
Died: Accidental, Western Junction, Tasmania, Australia , 30 May 1941, aged 35 years
Cemetery: Cornelian Bay Cemetery and Crematorium, Tasmania
C. of E. Plot. Sec. Z. Grave 19A. (GRM/7) , Cornelian Bay Public Cemetery, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
Memorials: Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Evandale No 7 Flying Training School Memorial
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World War 2 Service

3 Sep 1939: Involvement Flying Officer, 425
30 May 1941: Involvement Royal Australian Air Force, Flying Officer, No. 7 Elementary Flying Training School Western Junction
Date unknown: Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Flying Officer

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Biography contributed by David Barlow

Basil Goodwin Jones LL.B. (Bachelor of Laws - a lawyer with an undergraduate law degree)

Son of Sir Henry Jones and Lady Jones of Hobart, Tasmania

Husband of Beatrice Elizabeth Jones of Sandy Bay, Tasmania

RAAF 425 Flying Officer Jones of Number 7 Elementary Flying Training School was the only fatality following a mid-air collision between his Tiger Moth aircraft R5186 and aircraft R5185 near Western Junction, Tasmania

WELL KNOWN HOBART MAN KILLED IN CRASH
Two Planes Collide at Western Junction
When two training planes collided as they were leaving Western Junction aerodrome yesterday, Flying Officer Basil Goodwin Jones, formerly of Hobart, was killed. His passenger, Leading-Aircraftsman D. S. Brown, of Melbourne, had an arm fractured.
The Air Board in a statement yesterday announccd the death of Flying Oflicer Jones as the result of an air craft accident at No. 7 Elementary Flying-Training School, Western Junction. The statement reveals that two planes collided as they were leaving the aerodrome on training flights. Mr. Basil Goodwin Jones was the son of the late Sir Henry and Lady Jones, of Campbell-street, Hobart. He was born on June 12, 1905, and was educated at the Friends' School, Hobart, and the University of Tasmania. He entered the legal profession, and was articled to the late Mr. M. W. Simmons. He was admltted to the Bar on March 18, 1931. He remained with the legal firm of Simmons. Wolfhagen, Simmons and Walch, and became a partner on January 1, 1937.
Civil Aviation Pioneer
Mr. Jones was probably the outstanding pioneer of civil aviation in Tasmania, and was the first flying member of the Tasmanian Aero Club. He learned flying under the tuition of the first instructor, Captain J. Francis, at Western Junction. He was one of the first Tasmanians to secure a commercial pilot's licence. He made a trip to England some years ago, and gained further experience in fying, particularly in autogyros, and was the first Tasmanian to have his licence endorsed for an autogyro. Before the Aero Club was instituted he was a keen supporter of the Gliding Club, which originated in Launceston. He used to travel from Hobart to Western Junction at intervals of a few days to receive instruction, as at that time there were no facilities in the south.
Aero Club Officer
He was later chairman of the southern section of the Aero Club, and on a number of occasions took a leading part in organising deputations to the Commonwealth authorities to obtain improved facilities for flying in Tasmania. He was one of the organisers of early Aero Club pageants in this state, and won many trophies at these events, He was also an enthusiastic motor-cyclist, and owned for a period one of the fastest machines ever brought to Tasmania. He was a keen yachtsman, and one of the early owners of sharpie, when this class of racing vessel was introduced in the Derwent. He was a member of the Royal Yacht Club. His sporting activities included rowing, and he was a prominent member of the Derwent Rowing Club. He was one of the  foundation members of the Apex Club, and was one of the early presidents of that body. About two years ago he was made a life member. Shortly after the declaration of war he enlisted in the R.A.A.F., and for a time was stationed at Archerfield, South Australia. He was transferred to Tasmania when the R.A.A.F. Training School was established at Western Junction. Interest in Politics Mr. Jones took a keen interest in politics and was looked upon as a coming member of the legislature. He married Miss Betty Viney, daughter of Mrs. L. S. Viney, of Earle-street, Sandy Bay, and leaves two young children, Cynthia and Richard. In a tribute to the fine services Mr. Jones rendered as a member of the Aero Club, Mr. M. Roche, secretary of the Southern Section, writes: "Basil Jones was always an inspiration to members of the Aero Club, inasmuch as his experience and enthusiasm in flying, his jovial disposition and his clear-cut and Christian outlook on life and its problems and his intense loyalty and patriotism to his native land made him a citizen the nation could not afford to lose."

 

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