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Post by Dave Homewood on Oct 7, 2019 14:02:46 GMT 12
I did not realise that the celebrity radio clergyman, film star and political dabbler Colin Scrimgeour had joined the Air Force so early. I assumed he was a wartime member but it seems he first joined in 1930. I also did not know he was a pilot. This is from The Truth, dated 24th of July 1930.
LICENSED "SKY-PILOT"
THE appointment of the Rev. C. G. Scrimgeour as chaplain to the N.Z. Air Force will make him a 'sky pilot' in a double sense of the term, for not only is he the first padre the Air Force will have, but he himself has also qualified for his pilot's ticket.
The Rev. C. G. is a well-known man in the Queen City and is a prominent figure in more than one of the many organisations out to help the needy. He is always ready with a friendly smile and a cheering word for those who have 'come up against it,' and his popularity among those who have known what it is to be 'on their uppers' is a tribute to the great depth and understanding of his humanity.
He naturally feels a small thrill of pride in his appointment which is a distinct milestone in the history of the Dominion's aviation.
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Post by errolmartyn on Oct 7, 2019 18:41:49 GMT 12
I did not realise that the celebrity radio clergyman, film star and political dabbler Colin Scrimgeour had joined the Air Force so early. I assumed he was a wartime member but it seems he first joined in 1930. I also did not know he was a pilot. This is from The Truth, dated 24th of July 1930. LICENSED "SKY-PILOT"THE appointment of the Rev. C. G. Scrimgeour as chaplain to the N.Z. Air Force will make him a 'sky pilot' in a double sense of the term, for not only is he the first padre the Air Force will have, but he himself has also qualified for his pilot's ticket. The Rev. C. G. is a well-known man in the Queen City and is a prominent figure in more than one of the many organisations out to help the needy. He is always ready with a friendly smile and a cheering word for those who have 'come up against it,' and his popularity among those who have known what it is to be 'on their uppers' is a tribute to the great depth and understanding of his humanity. He naturally feels a small thrill of pride in his appointment which is a distinct milestone in the history of the Dominion's aviation. I have my doubts about 'Scrim' being so appointed to the NZAF. I have found no mention of him as such in the Army Lists of the 1920s or 1930s that list NZAF and NZPAF/RNZAF personnel. Scrim, however, had been granted his Pilot's 'A' Licence (No 143) the day before the above-mentioned issue of Truth. He was a member of the Auckland Aero Club at the time. Perhaps the paper got its wires crossed? Scrim was eventually enlisted in the RNZAF as an AC2 and Clerk (GD) in Air Department on 5 Jul 43. Errol |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Oct 7, 2019 18:48:47 GMT 12
It was in The Truth, it must be true.  |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Oct 7, 2019 18:49:23 GMT 12
It also surprised me that padres were referred to as Sky Pilots that far back in history, I had no idea.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Oct 7, 2019 18:52:58 GMT 12
I wonder if the appointment to Air Force chaplain was a casual thing, not full time. As in he would be their go to chaplain if and when needed for funerals, ceremonies, etc. But it was an aside to his usual job? Like the arrangement some bases have had with local doctors, etc.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Oct 7, 2019 19:06:21 GMT 12
Actually it was not just The New Zealand Truth hat reported this news, it was also in the: Waipa PostAuckland StarPress (with a photo) And the ODTSo it was not just the Truth making an error. |
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Post by Peter Lewis on Oct 9, 2019 7:31:16 GMT 12
Without actually looking it up, Scrimgeour was peripherally involved in the inquest into the crash of Desouttter ZK-ACA at Wairoa in February 1931.
According to the report I possess he was camping nearby, had observed the aircraft in flight just prior to the event, and was called as an 'expert' witness at the inquest due to his perceived knowledge of aviation.
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Post by errolmartyn on Oct 9, 2019 9:06:50 GMT 12
Without actually looking it up, Scrimgeour was peripherally involved in the inquest into the crash of Desouttter ZK-ACA at Wairoa in February 1931. According to the report I possess he was camping nearby, had observed the aircraft in flight just prior to the event, and was called as an 'expert' witness at the inquest due to his perceived knowledge of aviation. Peter, I have a copy of the Coroner's report held by Archives NZ into the crash of ZK-ACA but Scrimgeour's name does not appear amongst the depositions of witnesses. Errol |
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Post by oj on Mar 12, 2020 20:20:07 GMT 12
As I recall it was Uncle Scrim and the Sanky Singers we used to listen to on the radio back in the 1950's
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