The day Bert (Hinkler) came to town.
Posted: Tue Jan 24, 2012 4:26 pm
Using some tips Glenny has kindly shared and tried to drum into my head in the very nicest possible way for which I thank her I have rewritten this one before embarking on the somewhat daunting task of using lots of polish on Desert Interlude. I would be interested ...please, please, please ...in knowing whether I have maybe overcome my bugbear of metre because if I have in this one then maybe I have got a handle on it - so please feel free to let me know what you reckon
This is the rewrite
This is a true story
The Day Bert came to Town
I’m sure you must have heard of Bert - the birdman of the skies.
A flyer of renown that Queensland can't ignore,
in 1892 at Bundaberg the child was born,
he worked with sugar, but he always craved for more.
He joined the Queensland aero club – built gliders of his own,
then worked for Sopwith testing planes on England’s shores.
When war began he joined the Naval Service and this boy
knew how to shoot a rifle. Great shot. Perfect scores.
To use his talent they gave him a special job to do
escorting bombers all the way from fields of France.
A nimble Sopwith Strutter and a bloke knows how to fly
had made it doubtful that those Germans stood a chance.
He claimed that as a gunner he had downed six German planes
though documented proof of this is somewhat thin.
The blokes he flew with knew the truth, he was content with that;
and it was war – he couldn’t see it as a sin.
He saw the war out, stationed somewhere out in Italy
where it’s believable he hatched his daring plan
to cross the Alps from Croyden to Turin. Ten hours or less;
he managed nine, in 1920 - what a man.
Britannia Trophy was the winner’s prize - and his alone.
and now he longed to see again his big brown land.
But fate then turned against him so he shipped his Avro home
and deep inside he felt he’d missed a mission planned.
He flew in many places ’cross the world throughout the years,
the trophies won enhanced his fine collection;
a solo flight was finally made in 1928
home to Bundaberg and family connections.
His feat of daring saw the Air Force Cross as his reward.
the payment of two grand was unexpected.
It helped with his expenses and he thanked the Government
for their acknowledgement. He knew he was respected.
They also made him squadron leader with the RAAF reserve
He'd not anticipated this honour that's sure.
He was a local hero, one who’d done his country proud
and bought glory again to Bundaberg’s front door.
One day Bert just decided he’d take Avro Avian out
for fun, and ended up in Stanthorpe. Don’t know why.
He landed just outside of town. The locals were impressed,
suggested Pierpoint had the fuel to make her fly.
They folded back the Avro’s wings then pushed her 'cross the field
over the grass and sharp edged traprock into town,
and parked at Pierpoint Motors or Garage as it was then.
Thirteenth of June, nineteen twenty eight written down.
Why did he come to Stanthorpe on that winter day in June?
Was there a reason? It’s quite a nice place to see.
The one and only time that he had ever ventured there
it’s documented into the town’s history.
They never named a street for him, not even park or pub.
Were they bedazzled by their fleeting touch with fame?
The landing place is clear though covered now with modern homes
still, other things around the town remain the same.
By Quartpot Creeks green grassy banks Pierpoint still stands today
some folks heard to say ‘never’ others ‘maybe’.
But the photo on the wall beyond doubt proves that he was there
shown clearly standing outside Pierpoint, Bert and ‘Baby’
Maureen Clifford © 01/12
This is the rewrite
This is a true story
The Day Bert came to Town
I’m sure you must have heard of Bert - the birdman of the skies.
A flyer of renown that Queensland can't ignore,
in 1892 at Bundaberg the child was born,
he worked with sugar, but he always craved for more.
He joined the Queensland aero club – built gliders of his own,
then worked for Sopwith testing planes on England’s shores.
When war began he joined the Naval Service and this boy
knew how to shoot a rifle. Great shot. Perfect scores.
To use his talent they gave him a special job to do
escorting bombers all the way from fields of France.
A nimble Sopwith Strutter and a bloke knows how to fly
had made it doubtful that those Germans stood a chance.
He claimed that as a gunner he had downed six German planes
though documented proof of this is somewhat thin.
The blokes he flew with knew the truth, he was content with that;
and it was war – he couldn’t see it as a sin.
He saw the war out, stationed somewhere out in Italy
where it’s believable he hatched his daring plan
to cross the Alps from Croyden to Turin. Ten hours or less;
he managed nine, in 1920 - what a man.
Britannia Trophy was the winner’s prize - and his alone.
and now he longed to see again his big brown land.
But fate then turned against him so he shipped his Avro home
and deep inside he felt he’d missed a mission planned.
He flew in many places ’cross the world throughout the years,
the trophies won enhanced his fine collection;
a solo flight was finally made in 1928
home to Bundaberg and family connections.
His feat of daring saw the Air Force Cross as his reward.
the payment of two grand was unexpected.
It helped with his expenses and he thanked the Government
for their acknowledgement. He knew he was respected.
They also made him squadron leader with the RAAF reserve
He'd not anticipated this honour that's sure.
He was a local hero, one who’d done his country proud
and bought glory again to Bundaberg’s front door.
One day Bert just decided he’d take Avro Avian out
for fun, and ended up in Stanthorpe. Don’t know why.
He landed just outside of town. The locals were impressed,
suggested Pierpoint had the fuel to make her fly.
They folded back the Avro’s wings then pushed her 'cross the field
over the grass and sharp edged traprock into town,
and parked at Pierpoint Motors or Garage as it was then.
Thirteenth of June, nineteen twenty eight written down.
Why did he come to Stanthorpe on that winter day in June?
Was there a reason? It’s quite a nice place to see.
The one and only time that he had ever ventured there
it’s documented into the town’s history.
They never named a street for him, not even park or pub.
Were they bedazzled by their fleeting touch with fame?
The landing place is clear though covered now with modern homes
still, other things around the town remain the same.
By Quartpot Creeks green grassy banks Pierpoint still stands today
some folks heard to say ‘never’ others ‘maybe’.
But the photo on the wall beyond doubt proves that he was there
shown clearly standing outside Pierpoint, Bert and ‘Baby’
Maureen Clifford © 01/12
