View source for Hudson Fysh

{{Short description|Australian aviator and businessman (1895–1974)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2019}}
{{Use Australian English|date=August 2012}}
<!-- This article is a part of [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Biography/Military]]. -->

{{Infobox aviator
|honorific-prefix  = [[Sir]] 
|name              = Hudson Fysh
|honorific-suffix  = {{post-nominals|country=GBR|size=100%|KBE|DFC}} 
|image             = Sir Wilmot Hudson Fysh.jpg 
|caption           = A portrait of Wilmot Hudson Fysh ca. 1935
|full_name         = Sir Wilmot Hudson Fysh
|birth_date        = {{birth date|df=y|1895|1|7}}
|birth_place       = [[Launceston, Tasmania]]
|death_date        = {{death date and age|df=y|1974|4|6|1895|1|7}}
|death_place       = [[Paddington, New South Wales]]
|spouse            = Elizabeth Elinor Dove
|relatives         = [[Henry Reed (merchant)|Henry Reed]] <br /> [[Philip Fysh|Sir Philip Fysh]]
|known_for         = Co-founding [[Qantas]]
|famous_flights    = First revenue flight in Australia
|license_date      = February 1919
|license_place     = [[Heliopolis (Cairo Suburb)|Heliopolis]], Egypt
|air_force         = [[Australian Flying Corps]]<br />[[Royal Air Force]]
|battles           = 
{{tree list}}
* [[World War I]]
** [[Middle Eastern theatre of World War I|Middle East theatre]]
*** [[Gallipoli campaign]]
* [[World War II]]
{{tree list/end}}
|rank              = [[Squadron Leader]]
|awards            = [[Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire]]<br />[[Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)|Distinguished Flying Cross]]
}}

'''Sir Wilmot Hudson Fysh''' {{post-nominals|country=GBR|size=85%|KBE|DFC}} (7 January 1895{{spaced ndash}}6 April 1974) was an Australian aviator and businessman. A founder of the Australian airline company [[Qantas]], Fysh was born in [[Launceston Tasmania|Launceston]], [[Tasmania]]. Serving in the [[Battle of Gallipoli]] and [[Palestine Campaign]] as a lieutenant of the [[Australian Light Horse Brigade]], Fysh later became an observer and gunner to [[Paul McGinness]] in the [[Australian Flying Corps|AFC]]. He was awarded a [[Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)|Distinguished Flying Cross]] during the aftermath of the war for his services to [[aerial warfare]].

Fysh, alongside Paul McGinness and [[Sir Fergus McMaster]] started Qantas in 1920. Despite [[nationalization|government ownership]], Fysh became managing director and chairman of Qantas. A committee member of the [[International Air Transport Association]], he became president of the organisation in 1960. He was also one of the founders of the Australian National Travel Association, now known as the [[Australian Tourist Commission]], a member of the [[Royal Aeronautical Society|Royal Aeronautical]] and [[British Interplanetary Society|British Interplanetary]] society, the [[Institute of Transport]] and the Australasian Pioneers Club.<ref name=adb />

Acknowledged for his work as an [[aviation history|aviation historian]], Fysh wrote books on the history and development of Qantas, exemplifying the airline's role in both [[military aviation|military]] and [[civil aviation]]. Authoring a trilogy of memoirs dealing with the impact of Qantas in history, the series drew comparisons by critics towards [[Winston Churchill]]'s ''[[The Second World War (Churchill)|The Second World War]]''.

Fysh died in [[Paddington, New South Wales|Paddington]] at the age of 79, on 6 April 1974.

==Early and personal life==

Wilmot Hudson Fysh was born in the city of [[Launceston, Tasmania|Launceston]] in Tasmania, Australia, on 7 January 1895.<ref name=awm>{{cite web|access-date=9 October 2007|url=http://www.awm.gov.au/fiftyaustralians/19.asp|title=Fifty Australians—Sir Hudson Fysh|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070609092658/http://awm.gov.au/fiftyaustralians/19.asp|archive-date=9 June 2007}}</ref> His father, Frederick Wilmot Fysh, was a merchant, while his mother, Mary (''née'' Reed), was the daughter of a famous landowner, [[Henry Reed (merchant)|Henry Reed]].<ref name=adb>{{cite book|last=Percival|first=J|editor= Bede Nairn |editor2=Geoffrey Serle|year=1981|title=Australian Dictionary of Biography|publisher=Melbourne University Press|volume=8|url=http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/|chapter=Fysh, Sir Wilmot Hudson (1895—1974)|chapter-url=http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/biogs/A080620b.htm|access-date=16 October 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070613123624/http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/|archive-date=13 June 2007|url-status=live}}</ref> Fysh was the oldest of five siblings; Hudson, Henry, Margaret, Mary and Graham.<ref>{{cite web|access-date=9 October 2007 |url=http://www.ballfamilyrecords.co.uk/fysh_australia/I0707.html |title=The Fysh Family in Australia |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050126195714/http://www.ballfamilyrecords.co.uk/fysh_australia/I0707.html |archive-date=26 January 2005 }}</ref> He was also the great-nephew of [[Philip Fysh|Sir Philip Fysh]].<ref name=adb/> His childhood was marred by the failure of his parents' marriage and his father's business. Originally staying with his father, he ran away so often that eventually he was able to stay with his mother.<ref name=qom>{{cite web|access-date=19 July 2009|url=http://www.qfom.com.au/hudsonFysh.html|title=QANTAS Founders Outback Museum—Meet the Originals: Hudson Fysh|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090912075006/http://www.qfom.com.au/hudsonFysh.html|archive-date=12 September 2009}}</ref> Living in [[St Leonards, Tasmania|St Leonards]]—a suburb of Launceston—until 1914, he enlisted in the Light Horse upon the start of [[World War I]].<ref name=aifnr>{{cite book|title=Australian Imperial Forces—Nominal Roll|chapter-url=http://www.awm.gov.au/cms_images/awm8/10_8_1/pdf/0384.pdf|page=14|chapter=3rd Light Horse Regiment—"C" Squadron|access-date=22 November 2007}}</ref>

Educated at [[Launceston Church Grammar School|Launceston]] and [[Geelong Grammar School|Geelong]] [[grammar school]]s,<ref name=adb/> Fysh worked as a [[Jackaroo (trainee)|jackaroo]] and [[woolclasser]] after his education. He was also a [[cadet]] in the 70 Infantry Militia as a teenager, before volunteering for the Tasmanian 26th Light Horse upon the outbreak of war.<ref name=adb/><ref name=WAR>{{cite web|access-date=9 October 2007|url=http://cas.awm.gov.au/PROD/gl.accept_login?screen_name=cas_search_pkg.pr_search_by_link&screen_parms=acid~ps_query_type=accnum~ps_query=REL/01350~ps_referrer=oai:awm:112284/1845442&screen_type=BOTTOM|title=War Information on Hudson Fysh}}{{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> After the foundation of Qantas, Fysh, being a poor student at school, tried to make up for his lack of training by studying economics and taking a course in [[pelmanism (system)|pelmanism]]. After his retirement from Qantas, Fysh received an [[honorary degree|honorary]] degree of [[Doctor of Engineering]] (EngD), in a commemoration ceremony from the [[University of Tasmania]], in 1971.<ref>Fysh (1971). "Commemoration ceremony 1971".</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://nla.gov.au/anbd.bib-an1632377|title=Commemoration ceremony 1971|access-date=4 November 2007}}</ref>

Described as a man of "great political acumen" and having "a hard head for business", Fysh had a reputation as a stern, uncompromising taskmaster. This contrasted against his "shy, quiet" nature; he described himself as "painfully shy...as a child feeling looked down on, sensitive, and socially lost." Fysh felt these feelings never left him, being "ill at ease with fame or publicity." Described as single-minded in many instances, his insistence on using a [[De Havilland Express|D.H.86]] (De Havilland Express 86) lead to a bitter clash and eventual fall-out between Fysh and Sir [[Patrick Gordon Taylor|Gordon Taylor]].<ref name=adb/> Fysh also made rivals in other airline entrepreneurs such as [[Norman Brearley]], a founder of [[Western Australian Airways]].<ref>{{cite news |first=Steve |last=Meacham |title=Battle for the air |work= The Guide|page=4 |date= 28 May 2007}}</ref>

On 5 December 1923, Fysh married Elizabeth Eleanor ("Nell") Dove, from [[Hunter River (New South Wales)|Hunter River]], in [[St James Church, Sydney]]. They had a son and daughter, John Hudson Fysh and Wendy Elizabeth Fysh, both born in [[Longreach, Queensland|Longreach]], [[Queensland]]. Fysh described his family as "his bulwark against the [company's] relentless pressures"<ref name=qom/>

==World War I==
[[File:Fysh at war.jpg|thumb|left|Hudson Fysh in Palestine, during [[World War I]]]]
On 25 August 1914, Fysh enlisted in the 3rd Regiment of the 1st Australian Light Horse Brigade at a training camp in [[Pontville, Tasmania]], following the declaration of the [[World War I|Great War]].<ref name=qom/><ref name=aifnr/><ref name=WAR/> Initially commissioned as a [[private (rank)|private]], Fysh was transported from Hobart on the HMAT Geelong to [[Egypt]] on 20 October 1914.<ref name=aifnr/> He received his training in Egypt,<ref name=WAR/> and arrived at [[Gallipoli campaign|Gallipoli]] in May 1915; only two weeks after the initial Anzacs had arrived.<ref name=dd07>Gunn (1985). "The Defeat of Distance", p. 7</ref> Fysh was evacuated in December 1915, after serving for 7 months in the [[First Australian Imperial Force|Australian Imperial Force]].<ref name=WAR/>

{{quote|We lived like rats in their holes, and hung on to our hillside with the enemy on one side and the beach a few hundred yards away on the other.<ref name=qom/>|Hudson Fysh|on the Gallipoli Campaign}}

He served in [[Palestine (region)|Palestine]] and [[Sinai Peninsula|Sinai]], fighting in the [[Palestine Campaign]] for the 'C' Squadron of the [[Australian Light Horse|Light Horse Regiment]].<ref name=aifnr/><ref name=WAR/> He was transferred from Palestine on 17 July 1916, to the 1st [[Australian Light Horse|Light Horse Brigade]], Machine Gun Squadron.<ref name=WAR/> First promoted to [[corporal]], he was commissioned as a lieutenant in January 1917.<ref name=adb/><ref name=WAR/> Fighting under lieutenant [[Ross Macpherson Smith|Ross Smith]] in the Light Horse, he soon replaced Smith as the section officer when Smith was transferred to the Flying Corps.<ref name="dd07"/>

In July 1917, Fysh requested a transfer from the Light Horse Brigade to the [[Royal Flying Corps]].<ref name=WAR/> After months of training, he qualified as an [[Aircrew member|observer]] and [[Air gunner|gunner]], in October 1917. Originally fighting for the Royal Flying Corps No. 67 squadron, he later fought for the No.1 Squadron of the Australian Flying Corps,<ref name=awm/><ref name=qom/><ref name=WAR/> under the command of Major [[Richard Williams (RAAF officer)|Richard Williams]].<ref name=dd07/>

In the Flying Corps, Fysh was gunner to Major Sydney W. Addison<ref>{{cite web|access-date=9 October 2007 |url=http://www.australianflyingcorps.org/2004_2002/people/rollofhonour/stookeernest.html |title=Australian Flying Corps Roll of Honour—Lieutenant Ernest C. Stooke |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927003141/http://www.australianflyingcorps.org/2004_2002/people/rollofhonour/stookeernest.html |archive-date=27 September 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and later to Lieutenant Paul McGinness.<ref name=awm/><ref name=qom/> Engaging in battle as gunner in a [[Bristol F.2 Fighter|Bristol Fighter]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/australi/fysh.php|title=Wilmot Hudson Fysh—The Aerodrome|access-date=13 October 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070301113049/http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/australi/fysh.php|archive-date=1 March 2007}}</ref> against German and Turkish aircraft in the [[Middle Eastern theatre of World War I|Middle Eastern campaigns]],<ref name=pg16>Stackhouse (1995). "...from the dawn of aviation", p. 16</ref> Fysh was an [[Flying ace|observer ace]], shooting down 5 enemy aircraft.<ref name=ace>{{cite web|access-date=9 October 2007 |url=http://www.australianflyingcorps.org/2002_1999/afc_aces.htm |title=The Aces of the Australian Flying Corps |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927003208/http://www.australianflyingcorps.org/2002_1999/afc_aces.htm |archive-date=27 September 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name=CSS>{{cite book|last=Huet|first=Chris|date=January–February 2004|title=Flight Safety Australia|publisher=[[Civil Aviation Safety Authority]]|edition=Volume 8, Number 1|url=http://www.casa.gov.au/fsa/2004/feb/jan-feb04.pdf|chapter=Conquering the Southern Skies|chapter-url=http://www.casa.gov.au/fsa/2004/feb/26-33.pdf|access-date=16 October 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929092857/http://www.casa.gov.au/fsa/2004/feb/jan-feb04.pdf|archive-date=29 September 2007}}</ref> On 8 January 1919, Fysh was recommended for the [[Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)|Distinguished Flying Cross]].<ref name=qom/><ref name=pg16/><ref name=tmwe>{{cite web|url=http://www.qantas.com.au/info/about/history/details3 |title=Qantas history—The Men Who Established Qantas |access-date=14 October 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071010110458/http://www.qantas.com.au/info/about/history/details3 |archive-date=10 October 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The award was [[gazette]]d in the London Gazette and the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 8 February 1919 and 23 May 1919 respectively.<ref>{{cite web|title=Honours and awards (gazetted)—Hudson Fysh|url=http://www.awm.gov.au/honours/honours/person.asp?p=DFC017|access-date=22 November 2007}}</ref>
[[File:S Addison and H Fysh.jpg|thumb|right|Major Sydney Addison and Hudson Fysh, in Palestine]]
His citation read: {{quote|For gallantry in air combat and in attacking ground objectives. On 31 August 1918 this officer, acting as Observer to Lieutenant McGuiness [sic!], DCM, attacked and destroyed two hostile two-seater aeroplanes&nbsp;... On previous occasions (23 June and 3 August 1918) this Officer has engaged in combats, resulting in the destruction of enemy aircraft as well as forcing enemy machines to land&nbsp;...&nbsp;...He has always shown great skill and gallantry on these and other occasions.<ref name=WAR/><ref>[http://www.awm.gov.au/cms_images/awm28/2/116/0016.pdf Honours and awards (Recommendations: First World War) – Recommendation for Hudson Fysh] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160109053037/https://www.awm.gov.au/cms_images/awm28/2/116/0016.pdf |date=9 January 2016 }}. Retrieved 22 November 2007.</ref>}}

==Career==

===Survey of the Great Air Race===
[[File:Hudson Fysh with Nieuport 23 during WWI.jpg|thumb|right|Lieutenant Wilmot Hudson Fysh standing in front of a [[Nieuport Scout]] aircraft]]
On 28 February 1919, at [[Heliopolis (Cairo Suburb)|Heliopolis]], Fysh received his flying licence, graduating as a [[fighter pilot|scout pilot]].<ref name=adb/><ref>{{cite web|access-date=9 October 2007|url=http://cas.awm.gov.au/PROD/cst.acct_master?surl=998615590ZZZCMLGCTSDUK71543&stype=4&simplesearch=&v_umo=&v_product_id=&screen_name=&screen_parms=&screen_type=RIGHT&bvers=5&bplatform=Netscape&bos=Win32|title=Image of Fysh' pilot licence at the Australian War Memorial}}{{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref name=QAN>{{cite web|access-date=9 October 2007 |url=http://www.qantas.com.au/info/about/history/details3 |title=The Men Who Established Qantas |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071008204909/http://www.qantas.com.au/info/about/history/details3 |archive-date=8 October 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In March 1919, an announcement was made by the [[Prime Minister of Australia]], [[William Morris Hughes]], of a [[England to Australia flight|Great Air Race]] for the "first successful flight to Australia from Great Britain in a machine manned by Australians".<ref name=pg17>Stackhouse (1995). "...from the dawn of aviation", p. 17</ref> The prize money was [[Australian pound|£A]]10,000 (or [[Pound sterling|£8,000 sterling]]), under the condition that the flight is completed within 720 hours, and before midnight of 31 December 1919.<ref name=pg17/> Deciding to join the race, Fysh regrouped with Paul McGinness as his co-pilot.<ref name=BT>{{cite web|access-date=19 July 2009|url=http://www.qfom.com.au/theBigTrip.html|title=QANTAS Founders Outback Museum—The big trip|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090912074147/http://www.qfom.com.au/theBigTrip.html|archive-date=12 September 2009}}</ref><ref name=SI>{{cite web|access-date=9 October 2007 |url=http://www.qantas.com.au/info/about/history/details1 |title=Qantas history—The Inspiration |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927001309/http://www.qantas.com.au/info/about/history/details1 |archive-date=27 September 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

To fund the race, McGinness approached [[Samuel McCaughey|Sir Samuel McCaughey]], the man who donated the plane that McGinness flew in for [[World War I]].<ref name=BT/> McCaughey agreed to fund the race, and they were joined by [[Arthur Baird]], their flight-sergeant engineer during the war.<ref name=pg17/><ref name=bau>Brown (1997). "Aviation History", p. 17.</ref> Prior to the race, on 25 July 1919, McCaughey died and his executors refused to honour his agreement with McGinness. As a result, plans for the race were abandoned.<ref name=BT/><ref name=SI/> Instead, Fysh and McGinness were commissioned to survey Northern Australia for the preparation of the Air Race, by [[Major-General]] [[James Gordon Legge]] (later [[Lieutenant-General]]) from the [[Department of Defence (Australia)|Defence Department]].<ref name=SI/><ref name=gov>{{cite book |title=Linking a Nation: Australia's Transport and Communications 1788 – 1970 |url=http://www.ahc.gov.au/publications/linking-nation/index.html |year=2003 |publisher=Australian Heritage Commission |isbn=0-642-23561-9 |chapter=Chapter 8 The Rise of Civil Aviation to 1970 |chapter-url=http://www.ahc.gov.au/publications/linking-nation/chapter-8.html |access-date=16 October 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071031222028/http://www.ahc.gov.au/publications/linking-nation/index.html |archive-date=31 October 2007 }}</ref> They were instructed to survey the route from the town of Longreach, past [[Katherine, Northern Territory|Katherine]], and ending at the state capital of [[Darwin, Northern Territory|Darwin]], in the [[Northern Territory]].<ref name=pg18>Stackhouse (1995). "...from the dawn of aviation", p. 18</ref><ref name=fpoe>{{cite news |title=Flight paths of endurance |work=Features |page= 61|date=31 July 2006}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Bruce |last=Harris |title=Magnificent machines, home-grown legends |url=http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/12/16/1071336964936.html?from=storyrhs |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=17 December 2003 |access-date=8 December 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020013800/http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/12/16/1071336964936.html?from=storyrhs |archive-date=20 October 2012 }}</ref>

Arriving in Longreach in August 1919, they acquired a [[Ford Model T|Model T Ford]], as a transport for the survey, and were accompanied by a mechanic, George Gorham.<ref name=pg18/><ref name=QAAG>{{cite web|access-date=9 October 2007|url=http://www.qantas.com.au/infodetail/about/FactFiles.pdf|title=Fact File—Qantas at a Glance|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927230839/http://www.qantas.com.au/infodetail/about/FactFiles.pdf|archive-date=27 September 2011}}</ref> Leaving Longreach on 18 August 1919, the group traveled through [[Winton, Queensland|Winton]], Kynuna and McKinlay, reaching the town of [[Cloncurry, Queensland|Cloncurry]] on 20 August 1919.<ref name=BT/> They were the first people to travel across the [[Gulf of Carpentaria]], using an automobile.<ref name=adb/><ref name=pg18/> The team traveled through [[Burketown, Queensland|Burketown]], the stations of Westmoreland and Wollorgorang, before reaching Hobble Chain Creek.<ref name=BT/> From there, they traveled through Big Running Creek, Calvert River, Warbys Lagoon, Snake Lagoon, Fulch River, Werrin River, Fletcher River, Feathertop Creek.<ref name=BT/> As none of the rivers have bridges, the group had to wade across the rivers.<ref name=BT/> Following a route taken by [[Ludwig Leichhardt]] in 1845, they reached [[Borroloola, Northern Territory|Borroloola]].<ref name=BT/> Fysh began a diary of maps and photography, to record their journey across Northern Australia.<ref name=BT/>

[[File:Great air race survey.jpg|thumb|left|George Gorham, Paul McGinness and Hudson Fysh in [[Longreach]]]]
Leaving Borroloola on 25 September 1919, they followed the [[Roper River]], and arriving at Katherine on 8 October 1919. From Katherine, they took a train, ''Leaping Lena'', to Darwin.<ref name=BT/><ref name=pg18/> In total, the pair had traveled through 2180 kilometre in their Model T Ford, taking up 51 days for their trip from Longreach to Katherine.<ref name=fcthkoc>{{cite news |title=Fledgling company that has kept on changing |page=7|work=News and Features |date=15 December 2006 }}</ref> As a result of their journey across the outback, the group found Legge's route lacking the necessary open space for aircraft landing. Fysh and McGinness became convinced that an alternate route through the [[Barkly Tableland]] will be more convenient for the winners of the air race, after talking to some motorcyclists from Sydney.<ref name=pg18/>

Upon reaching Darwin, McGinness and Gorham traveled back to Cloncurry to survey and build landing routes on the way there, while Fysh was to stay in Darwin and create suitable landing strips there and at Katherine.<ref name=pg18/> In a letter addressed to General Legge dated to 30 October 1919, Fysh rejected the use of the [[racecourse]] in Darwin, which was originally picked by [[Reginald Lloyd]] (the head of the first ground survey to find a suitable route for the aircraft), as the landing ground for the winning aircraft. He then suggested an alternate strip, locating one near [[Fannie Bay, Northern Territory|Fannie Bay]], to the north of Darwin.<ref>Gunn (1985). "The Defeat of Distance", p. 12</ref> Shortly before the landing of the Smith brothers, the landing strip at Fannie Bay was completed at the cost of £A700.<ref>Gunn (1985). "The Defeat of Distance", p. 13</ref>

On 10 December 1919, the team of [[Ross Macpherson Smith|Ross Smith]], [[Keith Macpherson Smith|Keith Smith]], Jim Bennett and Wally Shiers, winners of the Great Race, arrived in Darwin and were greeted by Fysh (as the official representative of the Defence Department).<ref name=BT/><ref name=pg18/><ref>{{cite web|access-date=9 October 2007 |url=http://www.australianflyingcorps.org/2004_2002/people/aces/smithross.html |title=Captain Ross M. Smith. KBE, DFC and two bars, MC and bar, AFC |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927003239/http://www.australianflyingcorps.org/2004_2002/people/aces/smithross.html |archive-date=27 September 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Deciding to return to Longreach in May 1920, Fysh met [[Alexander Kennedy (colonist)|Alexander Kennedy]], when he was given hospitality in Kennedy's homestead, ''Bushby Park''.<ref name=pg22>Stackhouse (1995). "...from the dawn of aviation", p. 22</ref><ref name=ake>{{cite book|last=Fysh|first=Hudson|year=1974|title=Australian Dictionary of Biography|publisher=Melbourne University Press|edition=Volume 5|url=http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/|chapter=Kennedy, Alexander (1837—1936)|chapter-url=http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/biogs/A050018b.htm|pages=14–15|access-date=16 October 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070613123624/http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/|archive-date=13 June 2007|url-status=live}}</ref> As McGinness had stopped at the homestead earlier on his way to Cloncurry, Kennedy told Fysh about McGinness' idea of an airline service for the region.<ref name=pg22/><ref>{{cite news|first=Leon|last=Gettler |page=12|title=How to succeed in business without really naming |work=Business |publisher= The Age (Melbourne)|date=8 January 2007 }}</ref>

===Foundation of Qantas===
[[File:T Ford 1919.jpg|thumb|right|Model T Ford used in the 1919 survey]]
After reuniting at the Cloncurry Post Office, McGinness and Fysh started to make plans to build their airline service, confident in the future of commercial aviation.<ref name=esq>{{cite web|access-date=19 July 2009 |url=http://www.qfom.com.au/establishingQF.html |title=QANTAS Founders Outback Museum—Establishing Q.A.N.T.A.S. |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090912074120/http://www.qfom.com.au/establishingQF.html |archive-date=12 September 2009 }}</ref><ref name=hsm>{{cite news|title=Jetting to global high|work=News|page=21|publisher= Herald Sun (Melbourne) |date=15 December 2006 }}</ref> Writing about his experiences in the outback in his autobiography, Fysh commented that: {{quote|We could not help being struck by the natural advantages which favoured the establishment of an air service in the district...<ref name=BT/> We were convinced of the important part aircraft would eventually play in transporting mail, passengers and freight over the sparsely populated and practically roadless areas of western and northern Queensland and North Australia.<ref name=SI/>}}

Earlier on, McGinness had met a grazier, Fergus McMaster, when McMaster's car [[axle]] had broken down on a bed in [[Cloncurry River]]. McGinness fixed the car, gaining the respect of McMaster.<ref name=adbf>{{cite book|last=McDonald|first=Lorna L.|year=1986|title=Australian Dictionary of Biography|publisher=Melbourne University Press|edition=Volume 10|url=http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/|chapter=McMaster, Sir Fergus (1879—1950)|chapter-url=http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/biogs/A100330b.htm|access-date=16 October 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070613123624/http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/|archive-date=13 June 2007|url-status=live}}</ref> McGinness and Fysh headed off to [[Brisbane]], further developing their plan along the way. Coincidentally, McMaster also went to Brisbane. Upon realising this, Fysh and McGinness, explained their airline plans to him.<ref name=pg22/> The initial plans for the airline service consisted of joyriding, [[air taxi]] trips and [[Charter airline|charter service]]s spanning the Northern Territory— Western Queensland region of Australia.<ref name=otm>Simpson (2004). "On The Move", p. 139.</ref><ref name=SB>{{cite web|access-date=9 October 2007 |url=http://www.qantas.com.au/info/about/history/details2 |title=Qantas history—Small Beginnings |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927001545/http://www.qantas.com.au/info/about/history/details2 |archive-date=27 September 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.janesoceania.com/australia_history_concise/index.htm|title=A Concise History of Australia|access-date=14 October 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071216201832/http://www.janesoceania.com/australia_history_concise/index.htm|archive-date=16 December 2007}}</ref><ref name=twp>{{cite news |title= Sir Hudson Fysh, Founded Airline|work= METRO Local News Obituaries Classified |date= 9 April 1974 | page = C5}}</ref> As a result, on 20 June 1920 in Brisbane's [[Gresham Hotel]], McGinness, Fysh, McMaster and Alan Campbell, an adviser for the Queensland Primary Producers, began to register the new airline company.<ref name=esq/> The registration of the company was not finalised that day. It took several months before a name and the necessary funds were found for the business.

Funds for the company were lacking. Demonstrating his faith in the airline, Fysh invested his savings of £A500 (£400 sterlings), while McGinness invested £1000.<ref name=pg22/> After being contacted by the group, Arthur Baird joined them in the idea, once again closing his garage business.<ref name=dd23>Gunn (1985). "The Defeat of Distance", p. 23</ref><ref name=ab>{{cite web|access-date=19 July 2009|title=QANTAS Founders Outback Museum—Meet the Originals: Arthur Baird|url=http://www.qfom.com.au/arthurBaird.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090912074725/http://www.qfom.com.au/arthurBaird.html|archive-date=12 September 2009}}</ref> A main investor for Qantas was Ainslie Templeton, a friend of Fergus McMaster and a woolgrower in the Longreach district, who promised to match McMaster's investments in the "air service project", upon being told of the idea.<ref name=bau/><ref>Gunn (1985). "The Defeat of Distance", p. 20</ref> Fysh and McGinness then traveled through the towns in the Northern Territory and Queensland, asking for investments for the airline. They were met with positive responses.<ref name=esq/> After observing a shareholder writing "Donation" across the [[cheque]] butt, Fysh wrote:{{quote|...like others, he subscribed out of postwar patriotic sentiment for two young returned men, and out of the hope that in the roadless and bridgeless western plains, where all road transport ceased following heavy rain, perhaps the aeroplane might serve a useful purpose.<ref name=esq/>}}

[[File:Qantas office old.jpg|thumb|left|The early Qantas office at Longreach]]
After trying many different names for the company, the Queensland And Northern Territory Aerial Services Limited or Qantas was chosen, a name that McMaster later stated was created "with Anzac as its inspiring factor".<ref name=pg24>Stackhouse (1995). "...from the dawn of aviation", p. 24</ref> Qantas was formed on 16 November 1920, with Fysh, McGinness, McMaster, Ainslie Templeton, and Alan Campbell in the Gresham Hotel,<ref name=adb/><ref name=SB/><ref>{{cite news|title=Flying high on the smell of castor oil|work=Features|date=16 November 2005|page=40}}</ref> with an initial paid-up capital of £A6,700 (£5,360 sterlings).<ref name=ttl>{{cite news |title=Sir Hudson Fysh – The founding of Qantas Airways |work=Obituary |publisher=The Times (London) |page= 16|date= 9 April 1974}}</ref> The job of [[executive chairman]] of the airline was given to McMaster, with Winton becoming the head office and "the official birthplace of Qantas".<ref name=ppp>{{cite web|url=http://www.qantas.com.au/info/about/history/details4 |title=Qantas history—The Plane, the Place and the Passenger |access-date=14 October 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071010112527/http://www.qantas.com.au/info/about/history/details4 |archive-date=10 October 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name=hs>{{cite news |first=Geoff |last=Easdown |title=Qantas through the years |url=http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,20801657-662,00.html |work=Herald Sun |date= 22 November 2006|access-date=27 October 2007 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Kevin |last=Meade |title=The town where a sacred name took flight |url=http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,20930483-2702,00.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121215183143/http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,20930483-2702,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=15 December 2012 |work=The Australian |date=15 December 2006 |access-date=14 October 2007 }}</ref>

Partially due to McMaster's intervention, the original plans for air-taxi work and joyriding gave way for airmail services,<ref>{{cite news |first= Leora|last=Moldofsky |title=Business Builders |work= Time 100|publisher=Time South Pacific (Australia/New Zealand edition)|page=119 |date=25 October 1999 }}</ref> which would link communication in the settlements between Darwin and Longreach.<ref name=pg24/><ref name=pg30>Stackhouse (1995). "...from the dawn of aviation", p. 30</ref> McMaster summarised it as "an aerial mail service from Longreach to Port Darwin, connecting at Winton, Cloncurry, Avon Downs, Anthony Lagoon, Newcastle Waters and The Katherine", therefore making it the longest direct air service in the world at that time.<ref>Gunn (1985). "The Defeat of Distance", p. 25</ref> Another plan for Qantas came forth with Dr [[Frederick Archibald Michod]], a doctor and aviator in Longreach who became foundation director of Qantas after its formation. Visiting cattle stations and private properties to give medical treatment, Michod was aware of the difficulties faced in the outback. Establishing a hospital in Longreach, he often used his aircraft as an aerial ambulance. He proposed an idea for a "[[Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia|flying doctor]]",<ref name=MAQ>{{cite speech| title = They still call Longreach Home| author = Richard Wesley| date = 15–16 September 2001| location = MAQ State Conference, Cairns| url = http://www.magsq.com.au/_dbase_upl/Longreach.pdf| access-date = 12 October 2006| format = PDF| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071127030328/http://www.magsq.com.au/_dbase_upl/Longreach.pdf| archive-date = 27 November 2007| url-status = live| df = dmy-all}}</ref> which would later take form in the late 1920s with the Presbyterian minister, [[John Flynn (minister)|John Flynn]].<ref>Lock (2001). "The Oxford Illustrated Companion to Medicine".</ref>

The airline was provided with a wool store as their first [[hangar]] by A.J.B. McMaster, owner of Alba Woolscour, original Qantas shareholder and older Brother of Sir Fergus McMaster.<ref>web|url=http://blogs.slq.qld.gov.au/jol/2008/10/17/andrew-john-baxter-mcmaster/ {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180621143326/http://blogs.slq.qld.gov.au/jol/2008/10/17/andrew-john-baxter-mcmaster/ |date=21 June 2018 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.matildacentre.com.au/EducationCentre_Timeline.asp |title=Education Centre: Winton Timeline |access-date=14 October 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070829014328/http://www.matildacentre.com.au/EducationCentre_Timeline.asp |archive-date=29 August 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref> On 7 February 1921, the first and only Qantas [[Board of directors|board meeting]] in Winton was held in the Winton Club, three days after the pilots landed, on 10 February. A quick decision was made to move Qantas headquarters to Longreach, which would be more central to operations, with easier access to passengers and spare parts.<ref name=esq/><ref name=ppp/>

===Qantas first fleet and flight===
[[File:QANTAS B.E.2e.jpg|thumb|right|Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2e biplane from the Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Service]]
In August 1920, Fysh and McGinness ordered their first aircraft for the company from [[Sydney Airport|Mascot Aerodrome]], the first airport in Australia<ref name=SidAir>Eames (2000). "Sydney Airport".</ref> – two Avro 504K with [[Sunbeam Dyak]] engines, bought at £A1,425 each.<ref name=pg22/><ref>{{cite news |first=James |last=Cockington |title= Catch the flying kangaroo |work=Money |date=17 October 2007|page=13}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|access-date=9 October 2007|url=http://www.blueaustral.com/travel/qantas/|title=Qantas profile at Blueaustral|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070707071657/http://www.blueaustral.com/travel/qantas/|archive-date=7 July 2007}}</ref> The purchase for the 504K was dated 19 August 1920, and under the name of ''The Western Queensland Auto Aero Service Limited''.<ref name=SB/> The Avro was one of the original, of six, military aircraft built in Australia by AA & E Co. Ltd. upon the orders of the Commonwealth Government for the [[Royal Australian Air Force]] (RAAF). AA & E later went into [[liquidation]] after falling to their cheaper British competitors.<ref name=SidAir/>

However a delay in the engines caused anxiety in the pilots, with their financial circumstance lingering.<ref name=pg22/> A decision was soon put up to order a third aircraft, with the company considering both the [[Avro 547]] triplane and the "[[Westland Limousine Machine]]".<ref name=dd23/> After initial misgiving by McMaster, Fysh and McGinness finally settled for the Avro triplane. The Avro 547 was bought for £A2,798, and was considered a revolution in airplane technology, able to hold 4 passengers in an enclosed cabin.<ref name=esq/> The Avro had also won a £A10,000 competition sponsored by the ''[[Daily Mail]]'' for the "best commercial aircraft". Due to their financial circumstances however, the order for one of the Avro 504K was cancelled.<ref>Gunn (1985). "The Defeat of Distance", p. 24</ref>

After being informed that the Dyak engine was ready by the owner of the Aerodrome, Nigel Love, on 23 November 1920; they were told that the Avro 504K would be ready by December. However the aircraft was delayed until 25 January 1923, upon which McGinness send a wire message to McMaster stating that all tests have been complete with satisfactory results. Fysh, who was also in Mascot, was left redundant due to the cancellation of the second Avro 504K,<ref name=dd26>Gunn (1985). "The Defeat of Distance", p. 26</ref> until Charles Knight, a Longreach stock and station agent, requested him to fly a [[Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2|RAF B.E.2e]] back to Longreach. Despite only having thirty minutes of practice on the BE2e during his pilot licence training, Fysh agreed to fly it, with Baird as his passenger. Fysh later stated that "when I took the aeroplane over, the problem of my own temporary redundancy was solved".<ref name=dd27>Gunn (1985). "The Defeat of Distance", p. 27</ref>

On 31 January 1921, 6 days after McGinness sent the message to McMaster, McGinness, Fysh and Baird took off from Mascot aiming to reach [[Moree, New South Wales|Moree]] before dark.<ref name=dd26/> Due to the strong winds and [[turbulence]], the BE2e began to spin, disorientating Fysh in the process. Landing his aircraft on an upside slope of a hill, they came to rest near a miner's cottage. Fysh and Baird soon found out that they were near Red Head mine (formally named "Lambton B Pit"), close to [[Singleton, New South Wales|Singleton]].<ref name=fp>{{cite news |first=Mike |last=Scanlon |title=Fright path|work= The Newcastle Herald|date=16 June 2007 |page=14 }}</ref><ref name=dd28>Gunn (1985). "The Defeat of Distance", p. 28</ref>

Joining McGinness, who had safely arrived in Singleton, they flew northwards; stopping at Moree, [[St George, Queensland|St. George]], [[Charleville, Queensland|Charleville]], [[Blackall, Queensland|Blackall]], and then at [[Barcaldine, Queensland|Barcaldine]], the last stop before reaching Longreach. Meeting at Barcaldine with McMaster, who had caught the train from Rockhampton to the town, McMaster decided to fly with them to Longreach, hoping their arrival in the town would be "impressive and historical".<ref name=dd28/> Reaching Longreach in the scheduled time, the flight beat the mail train from Barcaldine by 20 minutes despite the train leaving Barcaldine 2-hour earlier. Mapping the airline's short-term future in the Shakespeare Hotel in Longreach, they soon planned the last leg of the journey to Winton.<ref>Gunn (1985). "The Defeat of Distance", p. 29</ref>

With Ainslie Templeton accompanying McMaster and McGinness in the Avro, Fysh flew with the owner of the aircraft, Charles Knight, to Winton on 7 February 1921. The trip of one and a half hours took considerably longer than that, with McGinness steering in the wrong direction, causing them to lose their path. They finally reached Winton after 3 hours of flight, with 15 minutes worth of fuel left.<ref>Gunn (1985). "The Defeat of Distance", p. 30</ref> After "landing gracefully" to the cheering of a crowd in Winton, they were "entertained at a [[smoke concert]] at the North Gregory Hotel."<ref name=esq/><ref>"Winton Herald", August 1920. Retrieved 9 October 2007.</ref> In the hotel, McMaster outlined the links between aviation and defence, in reference to the future of Qantas.<ref name=dd31>Gunn (1985). "The Defeat of Distance", p. 31</ref>

{{quote|This commercial aviation company should get your support as Australians not investors; not for the dividends it is likely to bring, but for the great influence it may have in the administration, development and defense ''[sic]'' of Australia.<ref name=dd31/>}}

The next day, the 2 aircraft took off from Winton to return to Longreach. With Knight as his passenger in the BE2e, Fysh lost his way, missing Longreach by {{convert|20|mi|km}}; he navigated his way back to the town by following the Thompson River. The journey, coupled with the earlier delayed trip when flying from Longreach to Winton, proved to be too much for Knight, who sold the BE2e to the company upon landing, swearing that "nothing would induce him to fly again."<ref name=SB/><ref>Gunn (1985). "The Defeat of Distance", p. 32</ref> The cost of the aircraft was £A450 which was partially bought, as insisted by McMaster, in the form of shares to the airline company.<ref>Gunn (1985). "The Defeat of Distance", p. 33</ref>

===Further career with Qantas===
[[File:Queensland State Archives 3051 Arrival at Longreach of the Armstrong Whitworth FK8 with the first bag of air mail on the inaugural flight of the first Qantas air service from Charleville to Cloncurry 22 November 1922.png|thumb|Arrival at Longreach of the Armstrong Whitworth FK8 with the first bag of air mail on the inaugural flight of the first Qantas air service from Charleville to Cloncurry 22 November 1922 (Hudson Fysh second from right)]]
[[File:Hudson Fysh and K.G. Jackson.jpg|thumbnail|Fysh (on the left) in 1947, opening an airmail route to Great Britain.]]
In 1922, Qantas was successful in bidding for the second Australian scheduled air route, which was to be established between [[Charleville, Queensland|Charleville]] and [[Cloncurry, Queensland|Cloncurry]]. The route was backed by the government, procured by relations between Qantas and regional politicians. While still piloting regularly until 1930, hard working Fysh studied business and management, and became managing director in 1923. When the airmail route to England was planned, Qantas successfully tendered, with Fysh involved in planning the route in the years 1931 to 1933. The final agreement saw Qantas flying the airmail to Singapore, where British [[Imperial Airways]] would take over. 1934, Qantas and Imperial Airways built a new company, Qantas Empire Airways, with both companies holding 50% of the stock. Fysh became managing director in the new formed company as well. He was also a co-founder of the [[Tasman Empire Airways Limited|Tasman Empire Airways]] Ltd in 1940, which later should become [[Air New Zealand]].<ref name=adb/>

[[Second World War]] was hitting the prospering business of Qantas hard. Japanese attacks in Singapore destroyed half of Qantas' fleet, the airport in [[Darwin, Northern Territory|Darwin]] was under attack as well. Fysh, still an officer in the [[RAAF]], took responsibility for using Qantas equipment in war-related efforts, for example evacuation and supply flights. In 1946, the Australian government bought Qantas for market value. Fysh was the only manager of the company who supported this course of events. After finishing the negotiations, he became chairman of now government-owned Qantas, succeeding his co-founder McMasters. In 1955 he retired from the position as managing director. After controversies with the rest of the Qantas board, he eventually retired as chairman in 1966.<ref name=adb/>

==Published works==
[[File:Qantas Rising.jpg|thumb|left|Qantas Rising, the autobiography of Wilmot Hudson Fysh]]
A writer of aviation history, Fysh authored many books during and after his career.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |encyclopedia=Encyclopedia of Australia |title=Fysh, Sir (Wilmot) Hudson|publisher=Webster Publishing }}</ref> In the biography ''Taming the North: The Story of Alexander Kennedy and Other Queensland Pathfinders'' which was first published in 1933, Fysh details the life of [[Alexander Kennedy (colonist)|Alexander Kennedy]], the first paying passenger for Qantas and a well-known [[pastoral farming|pastoralist]],<ref name=fast>{{cite web|url=http://www.fastbooks.com.au/Qantas.html|title=The Qantas Foundation Memorial Book Set|access-date=13 October 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071018225956/http://www.fastbooks.com.au/Qantas.html|archive-date=18 October 2007}}</ref> later recording Kennedy's life in the [[Australian Dictionary of Biography]].<ref name=ake/> Fysh also wrote ''The Log of the Astraea'', a book on the [[Imperial Airways]] monoplane [[airliner]] ''Astraea'' and the events surrounding the airmail flights to England, which eventually led towards Qantas' partnership with the Imperial Airways.<ref name=dod147>Gunn (1985). "The Defeat of Distance", p. 147</ref>

However his most successful publication was an autobiographical trilogy dealing with Qantas' history and its role in [[World War II]] and [[transportation in Australia]]. The first book in the trilogy, ''Qantas Rising: The Autobiography of the Flying Fysh'', is an autobiography of Fysh's life, from World War I and the development of Qantas to the expansion of Qantas into Qantas Empire Airways in the mid-1930s.<ref name=qrr>Higham (1966). "Technology and Culture". p. 560-561.</ref> The book was "one of the very few autobiographies of airline pioneers", and was noted as "much to be welcomed" by critical review.<ref name=qrr/>

The second book in the series, ''Qantas at War'', was written about the changes of Qantas and the Imperial Airways in times of [[nationalism|nationalization]] and war. The book follows the dispute between Qantas.<ref name=qaw>Higham (1969). "Technology and Culture", 119–120.</ref> Following the positive response from the prior book in the trilogy, Qantas at War was compared to [[Winston Churchill]]'s six-volume history series ''[[The Second World War (Churchill)|The Second World War]]''. Higham (an aviation historian and professor of history) wrote that they (''The Second World War'' and ''Qantas at War'') "are well-written memoirs of the higher direction" and "both leave room for other works which will more mundanely examine the whole of the problems and set the story in its general milieu". When addressing future historians, he states that they "will ever remain most grateful to Sir Hudson for these memoirs".<ref name=qaw/>

The trilogy was completed with ''Wings to the World'' which was published in 1970. The book oversaw the expansion of Qantas, from the introduction of the [[Super Constellation]]s to the beginnings of the jet era.<ref name=gov/><ref name=fast/> ''Taming of the North'', ''Qantas Rising'', ''Qantas at War'' and ''Wings of the World'', alongside ''Front-Line Airline'' by [[E. Bennett-Bremner]], was selected for a series titled the ''Qantas Foundation Memorial Book Set''.<ref name=fast/><ref>{{cite web|title=Reader's guide|url=http://www.abc.net.au/money/vault/argo/s11910.htm|publisher=Money, Markets and the Economy – ABC|access-date=18 April 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121109004403/http://www.abc.net.au/money/vault/argo/s11910.htm|archive-date=9 November 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> Also authoring a biography on [[Henry Reed (merchant)|Henry Reed]], titled ''Henry Reed: Van Diemen's Land pioneer'' in Hobart, 1973, Fysh wrote a profile on the merchant in the Australian Dictionary of Biography in 1967.<ref>Fysh (1973). "Henry Reed".</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Fysh|first=Hudson|year=1967|title=Australian Dictionary of Biography|publisher=Melbourne University Press|edition=Volume 2|url=http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/|chapter=Reed, Henry (1806—1880)|chapter-url=http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/biogs/A020326b.htm|access-date=16 October 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070613123624/http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/|archive-date=13 June 2007|url-status=live}}</ref> He also wrote a [[treatise]] on trout fishing, ''Round the bend in the stream'', in 1968.<ref name=adb/><ref>{{cite web|last=Keam|first=Rick|url=http://www.alpineangler.com.au/index.cfm?PageID=21|title=The Alpine Angler: Hooked on Books|access-date=14 October 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070829104119/http://www.alpineangler.com.au/index.cfm?PageID=21|archive-date=29 August 2007}}</ref>

==Tributes==
As a result of his contributions to [[aviation|international aviation]], he was [[knight]]ed in 1953, becoming a Knight-Commander of the [[Order of the British Empire]].<ref name=AustralianKnights>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article50563162 |title=11 AUSTRALIAN KNIGHTS |newspaper=[[The Courier-mail]] |location=Queensland, Australia |date=1 June 1953 |access-date=22 March 2020 |page=1 |via=Trove }}</ref>

He received an [[honorary degree|honorary]] [[Engineering Doctorate]] in 1971.

After Fysh's death on 6 April 1974, to mark the [[Century|centenary year]] of [[Australia Day]], he was named in the list of "100 most influential Australians of the century" by the [[Sydney Morning Herald]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Stephens|first=Tony|title=The most influential Australians|date=22 January 2001|url=http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2002/06/20/1023864476347.html|access-date=26 April 2009|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090125143045/http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2002/06/20/1023864476347.html|archive-date=25 January 2009}}</ref>

In theatrical productions, Fysh was portrayed by [[Brendan Hanson (actor)|Brendan Hanson]] in the Australian television mini-series, ''[[Air Australia]]'', a documentary depicting the history of early Australian aviation.<ref>{{cite book|title=Air Australia—Teachers Notes|url=http://www.filmaust.com.au/programs/teachers_notes/8847_AA_notes.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070709225639/http://www.filmaust.com.au/programs/teachers_notes/8847_AA_Notes.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=9 July 2007|publisher=Film Australia|access-date=29 November 2007}}</ref>

In 2002, Fysh was inducted into the Pacific Air Travel Association's Gallery of Legends for "personal excellence, integrity and a lifetime contribution to travel and tourism", the tenth person ever to be inducted.<ref>{{cite press release |title=Qantas Founder Inducted into Gallery of Legends |publisher=PATA Communications |date=15 April 2002 |url=http://www.pata.org/patasite/index.php?id=90&backPID=90&begin_at=90&tt_news=128 |access-date=29 November 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928063458/http://www.pata.org/patasite/index.php?id=90&backPID=90&begin_at=90&tt_news=128 |archive-date=28 September 2007 }}</ref>

In late 2008, an [[Airbus A380]] was named after Hudson Fysh in recognition of his contribution to the aviation industry and [[Qantas]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.qantas.com.au/regions/dyn/au/publicaffairs/details?ArticleID=2008/nov08/3852 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120213162738/http://www.qantas.com.au/regions/dyn/au/publicaffairs/details?ArticleID=2008%2Fnov08%2F3852 |url-status=dead |archive-date=13 February 2012 |title=Qantas A380s to Honour Our Aviation Pioneers |date=16 November 2008 |publisher=Qantas |access-date=3 September 2020 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Platt|first=Craig|title=Qantas receives second A380 superjumbo|date=16 December 2008|url=http://www.smh.com.au/travel/qantas-receives-second-a380-superjumbo-20081216-6ze4.html|access-date=18 July 2009|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090609142829/http://www.smh.com.au/travel/qantas-receives-second-a380-superjumbo-20081216-6ze4.html|archive-date=9 June 2009}}</ref>

There is a Hudson Fysh Avenue in Parap, Northern Territory near the old Darwin Airport runway.

The sample card of [[Qantas Frequent Flyer]] and Qantas credit card products all have W H Fysh as placeholder name.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ausbt.com.au/new-look-qantas-frequent-flyer-cards-on-the-way|title=New-look Qantas Frequent Flyer cards on the way|last=Flynn|first=David|date=18 July 2013|website=Australian Business Traveller|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171115214945/https://www.ausbt.com.au/new-look-qantas-frequent-flyer-cards-on-the-way|archive-date=15 November 2017|access-date=16 November 2017}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Fergus McMaster]]
* [[Qantas]]

==References==

===Footnotes===
{{reflist|30em}}

===Further reading===
{{refbegin}}
*{{cite book |last= Brown|first= John|title= Aviation History|edition= Volume 7, Issue 6|date=July 1997|publisher= Weider History Group |chapter=Qantas: Birth of an airplane down under}}
*{{cite book |last=Eames |first=Jim |editor= Andrea Smith |title=Sydney Airport—80 Years as the Gateway to Australia |year=2000|publisher=Focus Publishing |location=Australia |isbn=1-875359-64-8 |chapter=The History—Changing fortunes }}
*{{cite book| last = Fysh| first = Wilmot Hudson| year = 1965| title = Qantas Rising| publisher = Qantas Foundation| location = Australia}}
*{{cite book| last = Fysh| first = Wilmot Hudson| year = 1968| title = Qantas at War| publisher = Qantas Foundation| location = Australia}}
*{{cite book| last = Fysh| first = Wilmot Hudson| year = 1970| title = Wings to the World| publisher = Qantas Foundation| location = Australia}}
*{{cite book|last=Fysh|first=Wilmot Hudson|year=1971|publisher=University of Tasmania|title=Commemoration ceremony 1971, address by Sir Hudson Fysh on receiving the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Engineering|isbn=0-85901-010-4|location=Hobart}}
*{{cite book| last = Fysh| first = Wilmot Hudson| year = 1973| title = Henry Reed: Van Diemen's Land Pioneer| publisher = Cat & Fiddle Press| location = Australia}}
*{{cite book |last=Gunn |first=John |title=The Defeat of Distance: QANTAS 1919–1939 |year=1985 |publisher=University of Queensland Press |location=St Lucia |isbn=0-7022-1707-7 |url=https://archive.org/details/defeatofdistance00gunn }}
*{{cite book |last=Gunn |first=John |title=Challenging horizons: Qantas 1939-1954 |year=1987 |publisher=University of Queensland Press |location=St Lucia |isbn= 0-7022-2017-5}}
*{{cite book |last=Gunn |first=John |title=High Corridors: QANTAS, 1954-1970 |year=1988 |publisher=University of Queensland Press |location=St Lucia |isbn= 0-7022-2128-7}}
*{{cite book |last=Gunn |first=John |title= Contested Skies: Trans-Australian Airlines, 1946-1992 |year=1999|publisher=University of Queensland Press|location=St Lucia|isbn=0-7022-3073-1}}
*{{cite book |last=Hall |first=Timothy |title=Flying high: The story of Hudson Fysh, Qantas, and the trail-blazing days of aviation |year=1979|publisher=Methuen of Australia |isbn=0-454-00036-7}}
*{{cite book |last= Higham|first= Robin |title= Technology and Culture|edition= Volume 7, Number 4|year=1966 |publisher= The Johns Hopkins University Press|pages=560–561 |chapter=Book Reviews}}
*{{cite book |last= Higham|first= Robin |title= Technology and Culture|edition= Volume 10, Number 1|date=January 1969 |publisher= The Johns Hopkins University Press|pages=119–120 |chapter=Book Reviews}}
*{{cite book |last1=Kieza |first1=Grantlee |title=Hudson Fysh: The extraordinary life of the WWI hero who founded Qantas and gave Australia its wings |date=2022 |publisher=ABC Books |location=Sydney |isbn=9780733341533 |url={{GBurl|Grantlee}}}}
*{{cite book |last=Lock |first=Stephen |author2=Dunea, George |author3=Last, John M. |title=The Oxford Illustrated Companion to Medicine |year=2001 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=0-19-262950-6 |url=https://archive.org/details/oxfordillustrate00step }}
*{{cite book |last=Simpson|first=Margaret|editor= Anne Savage |title= On the Move: A History of Transport in Australia|year= 2004|publisher=Powerhouse Publishing |location= Sydney|isbn=1-86317-101-0 |chapter= Aviation}}
*{{cite book |last=Stackhouse |first=John |title=...from the dawn of aviation. The QANTAS Story 1920 ~ 1995 |year=1995 |publisher=Focus Publishing |isbn=1-875359-23-0}}
{{refend}}

== Manuscript sources ==

* [https://collection.sl.nsw.gov.au/record/YRlZojVn Sir Hudson Fysh papers, ca.1817-1974], Include papers, ca. 1922-1966 in files with a detailed list compiled by Sir Hudson Fysh; correspondence 1912-1974, diaries and personal items, 1917-1973, speeches and articles, etc. ca. 1817-1974; manuscripts of published works and records of Qantas and associated companies, 1920-1927, [https://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/ State Library of NSW].
* [https://collection.sl.nsw.gov.au/record/Yj7dzWl9 Sir Hudson Fysh further papers, 1921-1970], Include articles, speeches, press statements, messages to staff etc. mainly on aviation; and typescript copies of Qantas Gazette bound with printed copies, Jan 1925, Nov 1929, Jan. 1930, Dec. 1934, [https://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/ State Library of NSW].
* [https://collection.sl.nsw.gov.au/record/92eJpbbY Sir Hudson Fysh further papers, 1913-1974], [https://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/ State Library of NSW].
* [https://collection.sl.nsw.gov.au/record/9NaE8w2Y Sir Hudson Fysh - papers concerning Qantas Empire Airways, 1950-1961], This collection consists of the following 2 series. 1. Chairman's inwards correspondence registers, 1950-1958, 2. Chairman's personal and miscellaneous correspondence files, 1952-1961, [https://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/ State Library of NSW].
* [https://collection.sl.nsw.gov.au/record/nQReBAL1 File 070: Qantas and correspondence with Sir Hudson Fysh, 1966-1969], [https://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/ State Library of NSW].

== Pictorial collections ==

* [https://collection.sl.nsw.gov.au/record/94RxojK1 Sir Hudson Fysh - glass plate negatives], [https://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/ State Library of NSW]
* [https://collection.sl.nsw.gov.au/record/16AQJadn Series 02: Sir Hudson Fysh pictorial collection], [https://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/ State Library of NSW]

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Hudson Fysh}}

* G. Barker, [https://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/stories/aviation-australia/origins-australian-icon Aviation in Australia: the origins of an Australian icon], [https://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/ State Library of New South Wales]
* [https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/fysh-sir-wilmot-hudson-6263 J. Percival, Fysh, Sir Wilmot Hudson (1895–1974)], ''[[Australian Dictionary of Biography]]'', Volume 8, Melbourne University Press, 1981, pp. 603-605
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Fysh, Hudson}}
[[Category:1895 births]]
[[Category:1974 deaths]]
[[Category:People educated at Launceston Church Grammar School]]
[[Category:People educated at Geelong Grammar School]]
[[Category:People from Launceston, Tasmania]]
[[Category:Australian recipients of the Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)]]
[[Category:Australian Knights Commander of the Order of the British Empire]]
[[Category:Australian World War I flying aces]]
[[Category:Australian military personnel of World War I]]
[[Category:Airline founders]]
[[Category:Australian company founders]]
[[Category:Qantas people]]
[[Category:20th-century Australian businesspeople]]
[[Category:20th-century Australian historians]]