Sir Charles Kingsford Smith's Papers Stolen

[Dave Homewood]

I just came across this in the MANAWATU STANDARD, 23 MAY 1945

Kingsford Smith’s Papers.

After being kept carefully since 1936, when the late Sir Charles Kingsford Smith was lost during a flight from England to Australia, all of his correspondence and other documents were stolen from a motor-car in Wellington last week-end, says a Press Association report. The story of the theft was told by Squadron-Leader Shiel, director of public relations for the R.N.Z.A.F., who was formerly personal assistant to Sir Charles Kingsford Smith. The papers were left in his charge by Lady Kingsford Smith and it was from his car that they were stolen. The correspondence had been put into a parcel by Squadron-Leader Shiel for taking to Australia where a film of the late flier’s life is now being made.

[Dave Homewood]

Does anyone know if the papers were ever recovered?

[davidd]

Complete mystery to me Dave!
Dave D

[mcmaster]

Sounds like a case for Wellington Paranormal. ;-)

[Dave Homewood]

I noted Shiel ran adverts in the newspapers asking for the papers back but there were no articles saying they'd been recovered. Imagine, there could still be a cache of these priceless papers out there somewhere.

[davidd]

Did not Beau Shiels write a small book many decades ago, although the subject of this book is unknown to me, which is pretty bad, as I have a copy of that very book somewhere around the house (probably also packed up!)
David D

[ZacYates]

And here I was, thinking this was a very recent incident! That'll teach me for just reading topic titles!

[isc]

Perhaps an add on Trade Me(not indicating that they were stolen), for papers etc of Sir Kingsford Smith that someone may have found tucked away among someone's bits and pieces. Who ever lifted them has a good chance of not being with us now, but the family may be. isc

[errolmartyn]

Feb 16, 2019 17:42:33 GMT 12 davidd said:

Did not Beau Shiels write a small book many decades ago, although the subject of this book is unknown to me, which is pretty bad, as I have a copy of that very book somewhere around the house (probably also packed up!)
David D

A few notes about Mr Sheil (correct spelling, not Shiel):

Son of Patrick & Elizabeth Sheil (née Brown), Claude Albert SHEIL was born at Carlton, Victoria, Australia, 13 Apr 1904

As Claude Albert SHEIL, appointed to a commission as Pilot Officer in the NZAF (re-designated TAF in 1937) and posted to No 4 (Army-Co-operation) Squadron, 5 Jul 32

Posted to Wing Headquarters, Wellington, as C. A. SHEIL, 28 Feb 34

According to an item on Ancestry.com he had changed his name Abt. 1932. USA. While in the USA he decided to change his name to Beaumont Tudor Sheil. He did not consider Claude Albert to be a suitable name for a business man.

‘His’ 202-page (plus 16 of photographs) biography of Kingsford Smith – Ceasar of the Skies’ (‘by Flying Officer Beau Sheil . . . in collaboration with Colin Simpson’) was published by Cassell in 1937.

Posted to the Retired List as B. T. SHIEL (sic), 15 Sep 38

Name also misspelt in May 1939 Air Force List, but corrected to read SHEIL in subseqent editions.

To the Active List, promoted to Flying Officer (Honorary Squadron Leader) and employed as Publicity Officer attached to Air HQ, Wellington, and also appointed as President of the RNZAF Band, 10 Oct 39

Numbered NZ1769, Sep 41

Transferred from the Equipment Branch to the Administrative and Special Duties Branch, and granted temporary Squadron Leader rank, 30 Nov 42

Transferred to Reserve of Air Force Officers, as Squadron Leader, 20 Aug 45

His seems to have spent much of his life, before and after the war, variously living in Australia, New Zealand and the United States.

Died at Darling Point, NSW, 16 Jan 78

Errol

[Dave Homewood]

Feb 16, 2019 17:42:33 GMT 12 davidd said:

Did not Beau Shiels write a small book many decades ago, although the subject of this book is unknown to me, which is pretty bad, as I have a copy of that very book somewhere around the house (probably also packed up!)
David D

You're tight, now that Errol has corrected his surname spelling I have found two books by him on Sir Charles Kingsford Smith:

Charles Edward Kingsford Smith by Beau Sheil

and

The Caesar of the skies : the life story of Sir Charles Kingsford-Smith, M.C., A.F.C. / by Beau Sheil in collaboration with Colin Simpson.

Both were written before the papers were stolen so theoretically all the good info from the paper will be in his books hopefully.