54 | FLIGHTPATH
with Gnu was purchased from the Larkin
Sopwith Aviation Company so operations
could continue.
Many flights were made in the Gnu until its
days ended when it stalled, while heavily load-
ed, on take-off from Berri in South Australia
in August 1920. The Mildura Cultivator of 25
August 1920 ran a story, part of which reads:
“The remains of Mr. C.J. DeGaris’ Sopwith
Gnu plane may be seen in the windows of
the Provincial Motor Garage. They show
every indication of a very considerable
crash. Undoubtedly pilot and passengers
were lucky to escape injury.”
While awaiting the arrival of the ordered
aircraft, Briggs planned a flight to Perth,
Western Australia, where de Garis also had
business interests. The first DH-4 duly ar-
rived at Glenroy and, after assembly, the
first flight took place on 27 November 1920.
It still carried its RAF serial F2691.
Dawn on 30 November saw Briggs, de
Garis, and mechanic O.J. Howard depart
Glenroy for Perth, the first refueling stop
being Horsham in western Victoria. Perth
was reached on 2 December at the end of
what was the first aerial crossing of Aus-
tralia from east to west. The return journey
began on 14 December. Sydney was reached
in two days after 21.5 hours flying time.
On 9 January 1921, Briggs and de Garis
left Glenroy for Brisbane, via Sydney, on yet
another business trip. The return journey
from Brisbane to Melbourne was made on
20 January, the feat being accomplished in
one day.
They left Melbourne for Perth again on 16
March. This flight was the event that result-
ed in Briggs being awarded the first Oswald
Watt Medal.
On 27 April 1921, C. J. de Garis publically
announced that he was giving up flying for
three years as a result of pressure from
friends and investors in his business inter-
ests. Over the next four years, many of his
business interests failed and, sadly, he took
his own life on 17 August 1926. He is buried
in the Brighton Cemetery in Melbourne.