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![phoca_thumb_l_mr-gillies8.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/82271a_dd65ee8482944f56843a99730e2401e6~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_179,h_300,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/phoca_thumb_l_mr-gillies8.jpg)
![phoca_thumb_l_sea-plane.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/82271a_0ad0ec10854345a1b3918971a9b43d0a~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_0,y_0,w_441,h_192/fill/w_320,h_140,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/phoca_thumb_l_sea-plane.jpg)
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/82271a_c7c7ece9d6ec4eed847f753b89595629~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_487,y_0,w_686,h_698/fill/w_244,h_240,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/82271a_c7c7ece9d6ec4eed847f753b89595629~mv2.jpg)
Ron was another true pioneer in aviation. I was proud to have worked with him and to have called him my good friend.
Ron Gillies was born in Victoria, Australia on December 25, 1919.
In 1940, at the age of 20 he enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force as an Air Cadet. Upon completion of the standard flight training, followed by a seaplane conversion course he commenced operational duties with the #10 Squadron RAAF in the U.K. In August of 1943, Ron was appointed Commanding Officer of #10 Squadron with the rank of Wing Commander. He remained with the unit until November 1944.
![raaf patch3.png](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/82271a_68e383e7de2c4bd5aa368da47f72a70d~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_390,h_137,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/raaf%20patch3.png)
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1919 - 1996
![Clipping from The Sydney Morning Herald - Ron Gillies 14 Nov 1996.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/82271a_b8a64f0610804432b23a0d9e6738ee9e~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_14,y_20,w_413,h_279/fill/w_233,h_146,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/Clipping%20from%20The%20Sydney%20Morning%20Herald%20-%20Ron%20Gillies%2014%20Nov%201996.jpg)
![phoca_thumb_l_groupa - Copy.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/82271a_a67b4bfbcc244065916954b6fb7f8aea~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_168,h_163,al_c,lg_1,q_80,enc_auto/phoca_thumb_l_groupa%20-%20Copy.jpg)
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![3877262.JPG](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/82271a_ecc21a32eefa4bf4bb6386bc17eb4d83~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_0,y_15,w_567,h_435/fill/w_59,h_45,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/3877262_JPG.jpg)
Noreen Wilson joined the WAAF (Women's Australian Air Force) in 1940 were she became a aircraft coarse plotter. She met Ron while working with the aircrew.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/82271a_50def9fcd0ce48c8ad473e164d0ed56b~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_155,y_0,w_335,h_472/fill/w_60,h_84,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/82271a_50def9fcd0ce48c8ad473e164d0ed56b~mv2.jpg)
![phoca_thumb_l_mr-gillies-young.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/82271a_a0c55adfc3ea4847ae0bd3dd67fff33b~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_63,h_84,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/phoca_thumb_l_mr-gillies-young.jpg)
1920 - 1982
![b6b9dfdc3d37db49f337b610c6241673.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/82271a_571d15ade8f14a26bb593471da185a56~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_56,h_85,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/b6b9dfdc3d37db49f337b610c6241673.jpg)
![phoca_thumb_l_ladddy.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/82271a_3311e522e79c48c7880bafefe3734ccc~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_395,h_287,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/phoca_thumb_l_ladddy.jpg)
![phoca_thumb_l_lady2.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/82271a_726ab99e9edf43a8a6cd8fedf3631998~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_176,h_255,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/phoca_thumb_l_lady2.jpg)
![phoca_thumb_l_lady.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/82271a_487cc6bae91c42e2822f8ca839920606~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_143,h_171,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_3,enc_auto/phoca_thumb_l_lady.jpg)
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/82271a_c4fb2dd236534909a9c04027bd088e48~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_102,h_61,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/82271a_c4fb2dd236534909a9c04027bd088e48~mv2.jpg)
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/82271a_449a98eb92814408801477e738e4376f~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_91,y_16,w_428,h_209/fill/w_123,h_60,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/82271a_449a98eb92814408801477e738e4376f~mv2.jpg)
![ws14.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/82271a_6abcb3155a56480883f20b120917956b~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_63,h_52,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/ws14.jpg)
![Graeme.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/82271a_16e2e05863414837892bbc31f358a554~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_98,h_100,al_c,lg_1,q_80,blur_3,enc_auto/Graeme.jpg)
![BTHS logo.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/82271a_6a6224661fa545d4971277b62dc3ae9e~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_153,h_100,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_3,enc_auto/BTHS%20logo.jpg)
Graeme Gillies
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/82271a_fc26619dd18a46dcb71fbd7b4f38c1d5~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_0,y_28,w_284,h_452/fill/w_57,h_91,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/82271a_fc26619dd18a46dcb71fbd7b4f38c1d5~mv2.jpg)
![Clipping from The Age - RG Apr1 1944.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/82271a_e5cf7137fbee4f2294be356e339a495b~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_62,h_144,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/Clipping%20from%20The%20Age%20-%20RG%20Apr1%201944.jpg)
![phoca_thumb_l_cockpit-2.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/82271a_75222f79156d47539dcb5beb7dba944d~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_81,h_63,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/phoca_thumb_l_cockpit-2.jpg)
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![phoca_thumb_l_cockpit.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/82271a_2aeee348812041c3b7d151d760304e08~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_94,h_70,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/phoca_thumb_l_cockpit.jpg)
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![82271a_b4991264265a442eb5a602eefe4bff90~](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/82271a_c94d65c84def4840a350987063f9f04e~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_103,h_68,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/82271a_b4991264265a442eb5a602eefe4bff90~.jpg)
Capt. Ron Gillies in the left, Capt. Blair in the right - Southern Cross - United Kingdom
![phoca_thumb_l_groupa.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/82271a_d617cc79a7ed41de912e9cb77bee0afd~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_94,h_65,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/phoca_thumb_l_groupa.jpg)
![phoca_thumb_l_athome .jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/82271a_2484cbd5609842719b907c5951030957~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_92,h_122,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/phoca_thumb_l_athome%20.jpg)
![phoca_thumb_l_wedding.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/82271a_8113af9323854e019cbb75733cbcd8b9~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_64,h_90,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/phoca_thumb_l_wedding.jpg)
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Southern Cross's Last Atlantic Crossing JIm Flanagan's Journal transcript Sept-Oct 1980
Southern Cross in San Juan before its final flight.
Ron Gillies in Ireland after making another North Atlantic crossing on his final flight in the four engine Sandringham.
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![phoca_thumb_l_happy_bunch.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/82271a_34049204771545ad803f76a8b4418631~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_1,y_6,w_598,h_365/fill/w_94,h_57,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/phoca_thumb_l_happy_bunch.jpg)
![phoca_thumb_l_Kings_order.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/82271a_9ae84621ba8f4299bdbbf9bbe285d080~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_99,h_97,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/phoca_thumb_l_Kings_order.jpg)
![phoca_thumb_l_no-10-squadron-inside.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/82271a_93d25ef5678346db9439f21fc002f09d~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_101,h_41,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/phoca_thumb_l_no-10-squadron-inside.jpg)
![Clipping from The Age - 15 aug 1944.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/82271a_44d4e170474841b99b60bdd2623f2f72~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_61,h_157,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/Clipping%20from%20The%20Age%20-%2015%20aug%201944.jpg)
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![phoca_thumb_l_sunderland4.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/82271a_93d2f0868b5d4254a8bb447a82b530c3~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_75,h_53,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/phoca_thumb_l_sunderland4.jpg)
![phoca_thumb_l_the_sun.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/82271a_c29ed7562dc2498791554897f1bb5c55~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_97,h_142,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/phoca_thumb_l_the_sun.jpg)
![phoca_thumb_l_lord_howe.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/82271a_9cb83c8914c642188a754aba26b5ccf5~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_106,h_69,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/phoca_thumb_l_lord_howe.jpg)
![phoca_thumb_l_sea plane4.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/82271a_6abc254a742c4ea7aa3a5105d346d801~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_106,h_72,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/phoca_thumb_l_sea%20plane4.jpg)
![gillies story 1.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/82271a_b5278572db624699ab0c071f96a19999~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_107,h_34,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/gillies%20story%201.jpg)
![Holle-Antilles-1_NEW.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/82271a_67d6a28b93144aefae074cc7174a96fa~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_112,h_75,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/Holle-Antilles-1_NEW.jpg)
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Ron and Noreen with AAB staff at the Goose Grill in St. Thomas.
![459973d589917bdb44a9dd70cc7e90c9.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/82271a_e500f1edaa6843b79f80f061a757c02f~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_174,h_131,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_3,enc_auto/459973d589917bdb44a9dd70cc7e90c9.jpg)
![VP LVE Capt C Blair Hythe 08 September](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/82271a_8a7fb631ce5c4d5dbccd058b2025bc6e~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_125,h_83,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/VP%20LVE%20Capt%20C%20Blair%20Hythe%20%2008%20September%20.jpg)
Capt. Ron Gillies
in "Southern Cross" September 1977 at Southampton, UK
photo credit Barry Friend
![Clipping from The Sydney Morning Herald - Jan22 1966.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/82271a_3fcec334f2e84ca2aed969fac4a2e15d~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_99,h_168,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/Clipping%20from%20The%20Sydney%20Morning%20Herald%20-%20Jan22%201966.jpg)
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