Thompson-B-N-2nd-Air-Mechanic-1327

ALL=ROUND SPORT

UNIQUE BIRTHDAY EVENT

Known throughout the Ascot Vale and Moonee Ponds district as a good junior footballer, a sterling batsman, and a smart pedestrian. Private Brian Napier Thompson has now seen 12 months of active service. He enlisted in August, 1916, and is attached to the Australian Flying Corps as wireless operator and air mechanic. Before leaving, Private Thompson passed the wireless examination with great credit. He celebrated his 21st birthday on June 15, and signalised his coming of age by taking part in a flight above the Hun lines, and reaching a, height of 5000 feet. Private Thompson is a son of Mr and Mrs E. W. Thompson, of Moonee Ponds. In a recent letter, Private Thompson describes one of his first flights. The sergeant, having taken his seat, asked him to go to the depot and get a helmet and come for a flight, "I did not require the second asking", says Brian, "and in a few minutes was away in the clouds over 2000ft. For more than half an hour we floated about, and then by lovely spiral and nose dives we returned to earth. My only regret was that I had to return to Mother Earth so soon. I will not be satisfied until I have done the 'loop.' Oh, this is great sport, this flying."

ALL=ROUND SPORT. (1917, September 5). Winner (Melbourne, Vic. : 1914 - 1917), p. 8. Retrieved September 15, 2014, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article154545683