Bert Hinkler was born in Bundaberg, Queensland on the December 8, 1892. The son of a mill worker, he was fascinated by flight. In 1911 and 1912, he built man-carrying gliders and flew them successfully at Mon Repos Beach near Bundaberg.
Late in 1913, Bert Hinkler set off for England and worked for a while for the Sopwith Company. He served with distinction during World War 1 and was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal.
In 1919 he joined A.V.Roe & Co. in Southampton and from 1921 -1926 was Chief Test Pilot. Between 1920-1931 he created many aviation records. His most renowned achievements include his pioneering solo flight from England to Australia in 1928 and the first solo flight across the South Atlantic in 1931.
On the 7th January, 1933 Bert Hinkler was accidentally killed whilst attempting another solo flight from England to Australia. He is buried in Florence, Italy.
In 1925, Bert Hinkler built a detached house which he named "Mon Repos" on the Thornhill Estate, Sholing, Southampton, England. From here, he travelled the short distance to A.V.Roe’s experimental aircraft works where he was employed Chief Test Pilot. The house was a mecca for aviation associates, including Roy Chadwick, the great Avro designer.
Bert Hinkler planned most of his great solo flights from the ‘'Mon Repos" house. The Ibis aircraft, his dream machine, was planned and experimented upon at the site. Some years passed before the home became the property of the Southampton City Council. In May and June 1983, the house was dismantled and transported to Bundaberg, Queensland, Australia, his home town, and rebuilt as a Memorial Museum in Bert Hinkler's honour. The mantle of achievement associated with Australia's great pioneer solo aviator, Bert Hinkler, is indeed captivating - so too was the trans-world transfer of his old Southampton house. The nation embraced this remarkable accomplishment with pride. A pleasing structure, the house stands in the Bundaberg Botanic Gardens overlooking the site where Bert Hinkler landed on February 27, 1928, following his record shattering solo flight from England to Australia.
Hinkler House is open daily from 10 am to 4 pm, and numerous activity, including riding a restored steam train can be done in the Botanical Gardens.
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