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Post by Dave Homewood on Mar 28, 2016 19:28:30 GMT 12
When did they start commercial operations then?
One of those articles clearly states she began spreading fertiliser in 1954.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Mar 28, 2016 19:34:25 GMT 12
If she came to New Zealand and was definitely born in 1927, then she either:
a) did not die here, or
b) Woolhouse and Woodhouse were not her married names (unless she married again later)
because here are no matches on the death register for those names matching those dates.
So maybe she's still live. There are numerous M. Woodhouse and M. Woolhouses in the White Pages, you might want to start calling them.
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Post by delticman on Mar 28, 2016 20:45:28 GMT 12
I've had a bit of search around as well but I'm not really up to speed on Australian Ag Tiger Moths. Going by the news stories covered, she worked in South Australia and Victoria. The accident at Omeo is near Benambra, north of Bairnsdale.
If she had ever topdressed in New Zealand, we would know about it.
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Post by delticman on Mar 28, 2016 20:51:22 GMT 12
Chemical dusting started in Australia in 1948 for insect control.
The first spreading of superphosphate was carried out at Walcha, NSW on 1st February 1950. (Derrick Rolland's book)
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Post by The Red Baron on Mar 28, 2016 21:22:38 GMT 12
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Post by seekingmargaretclarke on Mar 28, 2016 22:44:15 GMT 12
Gentlemen - thank you for that - will check out that website and let you know.Katie
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Post by seekingmargaretclarke on Apr 26, 2016 0:23:26 GMT 12
Greetings
The website has come up nil at this point - still waiting for a response from the contact email.
Also confirmed now born 1927 (probably in Brisbane) and started Agricultural employ in May 1954 in South Australia. The 1949 reference appears to be more related to a record flight she did as her commercial licence was obtained in 1951.
I cannot find a reference for Margaret in 1956 so curious to find that one if you have it.
regards Kate
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Post by seekingmargaretclarke on Apr 26, 2016 0:24:44 GMT 12
Also now 99% certain that she married WooLhouse.
If anyone can find further information, as you have by far been the most productive and helpful website thus far, I would appreciate it.
regards Kate
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gtw
Flight Lieutenant
Posts: 85
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Post by gtw on Apr 26, 2016 19:36:52 GMT 12
There is a contractor in Perth, Surname Woolhouse who told me in 2003 that his Aunt was an ex ag pilot. I am not in W A now but try the white pages I think his name was Phil.
Best of luck..
george
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Post by flyinkiwi on Apr 27, 2016 14:45:53 GMT 12
I asked Mike Feeney if he knew of Margaret's exploits in NZ Ag flying circles in the late 50's and this was his response:
I would have thought had she operated here in the Ag sector Mike would at least know of her.
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Post by The Red Baron on Apr 27, 2016 16:28:50 GMT 12
2 ladies topdressed in the 1950's Muriel Dutton & Phyllis Towers.Margaret Ellis did a little bit in the mid 1960's and Louisa Patterson was next in the late 1970's.
Margaret Clarke seems to have vanished off the radar after about 1956.Other than the 1957 reference to her being in NZ where she certainally never flew ag work,there appears to be no other reference to her being involved in flying in NZ under the name Clarke or Woolhouse on the internet.She may well have come over here and married a farmer and given up flying altogether.
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Post by delticman on Apr 27, 2016 17:01:37 GMT 12
2 ladies topdressed in the 1950's Muriel Dutton & Phyllis Towers.Margaret Ellis did a little bit in the mid 1960's and Louisa Patterson was next in the late 1970's. Margaret Clarke seems to have vanished off the radar after about 1956.Other than the 1957 reference to her being in NZ where she certainally never flew ag work,there appears to be no other reference to her being involved in flying in NZ under the name Clarke or Woolhouse on the internet.She may well have come over here and married a farmer and given up flying altogether. And then we have Lea Jeromson. later Giblen at Waipukurau, owner/operator of Fletcher FU24-950, ZK-EGT. |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Apr 27, 2016 18:01:17 GMT 12
Are any of these kiwi ladies still alive? They might make interesting WONZ Show interviewee/s.
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Post by isc on Apr 27, 2016 21:16:42 GMT 12
A female pilot started topdressing while I was at Rex in Dunedin (mid 60s), can't remember much about her(never met her), but was told that the Labour Dept insisted on separate toilets on any strip she worked on, I think that was the end of topdressing for her. Probably a mile OT. isc
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Post by seekingmargaretclarke on Sept 21, 2016 23:39:00 GMT 12
Gentlemen, an update as my search still continues.Born 1927, started ag-flying in Australia in 1954, married Woolhouse after 1960. Had spent 3 years in New Zealand (after Jan 1956 until September 1958) doing sight-seeing, nursing and ag-flying (from unpublished manuscript). Had at least one daughter and lived in Sydney. Article indicates she flew, spraying grape vines, peas and irrigation channels in NZ. Flew Tiger Moths. Last boss in New Zealand was an ex-Battle of Britain pilot, he owned the Tigers but with the changes to regulations and training for ag pilots, he became a grocer in Auckland so that is when Margaret returned to Australia in 1958.
Does any of this seem possible? I am uncertain how much veracity is in the manuscript. Any verification you could supply would be great. Article near the end as I have a few weeks left to submit.
Kind regards, Kate
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Post by The Red Baron on Sept 22, 2016 8:40:19 GMT 12
Peas & grapes would have been the Hawkes Bay.Keith Park was a director of Hawkes Bay ATD and several other ex BoB pilots were involved in companies there.The Allidarce family that was involved in Aerdress were in the grocery trade.I think Hawkes Bay Aerial Topdressing absorbed Aerodress in the late '50's.
The only problem is this era was well documented and photographed and theres never been mention of a lady pilot flying ag work there.Its something that would have been so unusual it would surely have been reported in the day or in subsequent years.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Sept 23, 2016 7:24:39 GMT 12
 AVM Sir Keith Park was involved with topdressing??? I thought postwar he worked for an oil company and was an Auckland City Councillor. Which other Battle of Britain pilots got into the ag air industry? |
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Post by seekingmargaretclarke on Sept 30, 2016 22:40:25 GMT 12
Gentlemen - success! I found Margaret Clarke-Woolhouse and spoke with her today!
She is alive and well and turns 90yo in November. I have an interview with her in a few weeks.
Thank you so much for your help, especially those of you with articles and Dave Homewood in particular.
I will be asking if she flew in New Zealand for money when I speak with her and if you are interested, will pass this information on to you.
Again, thank you for all your support and assistance.
Kate
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Post by The Red Baron on Oct 1, 2016 17:45:51 GMT 12
Exciting news.Let us know all about your interview with her.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Oct 2, 2016 17:02:39 GMT 12
Well done Kate! Great news. Where is she now? NZ? Aussie? Elsewhere?
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AVM Sir Keith Park was involved with topdressing??? I thought postwar he worked for an oil company and was an Auckland City Councillor.