Life in United States, 1939-1946

Containers:

Box 11

Component identifier:

Series 12

Content Summary:

This series comprises correspondence covering the period 1939 to 1972 which relate to Byrne's time in the United States, considerable newspaper clippings, two diaries and a 1943 yearbook from Pepperdine College where he lectured and many letters of reference written by the principals of schools where he attended to speak. Byrne believed that the United States contribution to Kingsford Smith's Pacific flight had not been properly acknowledged by the Australian Government. As early as 1939 he was somewhat disillusioned by the lack of interest in Australia regarding his efforts to commemorate the pioneering endeavours of Kingsford Smith and Ulm. He accepted an offer by a New Zealand Government representative to go to New Zealand and exhibit his work there and after raising considerable funds for purchase of spitfires he was purchased a return ticket to The United States. Byrne took his work to many schools in California and Texas where he gave lectures to the children regarding the Pacific flight of Kingsford Smith and Ulm.

(Files 1-5)

Immediate source of acquisition:

The first instalment of the Byrne Papers was presented to the Library by Austin Byrne in 1971. Further instalments were received in 1974, 1975, 1978, 1979, 1981 1983 and 1987. The remainder of the Byrne Papers were bequeathed to the Library pursuant to Mr Byrne's will and were collected after his death in 1993.

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