Ray Parer
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Raymond John Paul Parer, (February 18, 1894 - July 4, 1967), was an Australian aviator.
Parer was born in Melbourne, and developed an interest in aviation at an early age. He enlisted in the Australian Flying Corps in 1916, initially as a mechanic, but was soon accepted to train as a pilot. His initial training was conducted at Point Cook. He was sent to England, and served as a pilot there, particularly in the test pilot role.
After the end of World War I, the Australian government offered a prize of £10000 for the first flight from England to Australia. He paired with John McIntosh, and, although leaving well after the event had been won, they arrived in Darwin on August 2, 1920. Their aircraft was an Airco DH-9, and theirs was the only other entrant to successfully complete the race.
Parer was also a pioneer of aviation in New Guinea, one of the most hostile environments to operate an aircraft anywhere on earth. Aviation in the country at that time was chiefly involved with the gold mining industry, which was thriving in the 1920's. Parer set up business there, and is reputed to have been the first pilot to fly over the Owen Stanley Range.
In 1934, he participated in the MacRobertson Air Race from England to Australia, this time teamed with Geoff Hemsworth, flying a Fairey Fox. They departed on October 20, 1934, arriving at the destination, Melbourne, on February 13, 1935. Parer then returned to New Guinea, however the advent of World War II found him once again in military service, this time in the Royal Australian Air Force. After a stint in Australia, he returned to New Guinea in 1942, and began working on boats.
After the cessation of hostilities, he returned to Australia, where he lived his remaining years in relative obscurity.
