# Hawker, the Standard Bearer

Harry George Hawker (1889-1921), a test pilot in World War One, set a number of aviation records (British and world). In May 1919, with Lieutenant-Commander K. Mackenzie Grieve, set out to fly from Newfoundland to Britain. Put down by engine trouble, they landed on the sea and were rescued by a ship that had no radio. As their rescue went unreported for 6 days, they were given up as lost -- as can be seen from the final stanza, the poem was penned during this period. Both men were awarded the George Cross. Hawker ultimately died in an aircraft fire in 1921. (source)
The grey gull sat on a floating whale, On a floating whale sat he, And he told his tale of the storm and the gale, And the ships that he saw with steam and sail, As he flew by the Northern Sea.
"I have seen a sign that is strange and new, That I never before did see: A flying ship that roared as it flew, The storm and the tempest driving through, It carried a flag and it carried a crew, Now what would that be?" said he.
"And the flag was a Jack with stars displayed, A flag that is new to me; For it does not ply in the Northern trade, But it drove through the storm-wrack unafraid, Now, what is that flag?" said he.
"I have seen that flag that is starred with white," Said a southern gull, said he, "And saw it fly in a bloody fight, When the raider Emden turned in flight, And crashed on the Cocos lee."
"And who are these folk whose flag is first Of all the flags that fly To dare the storm and the fog accurst, Of the great North Sea where the bergs are nursed, And the Northern Lights ride high?"
"The Australian folk," said a lone sea-mew, "The Australian flag," said he. "It is strange that a folk that is far and few Should fly their flag where there never flew Another flag!" said he.
"I have followed their flag in the fields of France, With its white stars flying free, And no misfortune and no mischance Could turn them back from their line of advance, Or the line that they held," said he.
"Whenever there's ever rule to break, Wherever they oughtn't to be, With a death to dare and a risk to take, A track to find or a way to make, You will find them there," said he.
"They come from a land that is parched with thirst, An inland land," said he, "On risk and danger their breed is nursed, And thus it happens their flag is first To fly in the Northern Sea."
"Though Hawker perished, he overcame The risks of the storm and the sea, And his name shall be written in stars of flame, On the topmost walls of the Temple of Fame, For the rest of the world to see."
This work is in the public domain in Australia because it was created in Australia and the term of copyright has expired. According to Australian Copyright Council - Duration of Copyright, the following works are public domain:
* published non-government works whose author died before January 1, 1955,
* anonymous or pseudonymous works and photographs published before January 1, 1955, and
* government works published more than 50 years ago (before January 1, 1974).
This work is also in the public domain in the United States because it was first published outside the United States (and not published in the U.S. within 30 days), and it was first published before 1989 without complying with U.S. copyright formalities (renewal and/or copyright notice) and it was in the public domain in Australia on the URAA date (January 1, 1996). This is the combined effect of Australia having joined the Berne Convention in 1928, and of 17 USC 104A with its critical date of January 1, 1996.
Because the Australian copyright term in 1996 was 50 years, the critical date for copyright in the United States under the URAA is January 1, 1946.
This work may be in the public domain in countries and areas with longer native copyright terms that apply the rule of the shorter term to foreign works.
Public domainPublic domainfalsefalse