This month, we were extremely lucky to have had John Illsley come to Swellendam and talk to us about Aviation Pioneers in the Western Cape.
His fascinating talk provided an outline of some outstanding milestones in the emergence of flying in the Cape, from the 19th century up to 1939, with the start of WWII. It was held in the Desmond Tutu Room in the Drostdy Museum, Old Gaol complex. There were 40 people in attendance, including members of the Swellengrebel Flying Club of Swellendam. After the talk, snacks and refreshments were provided, and everyone had the opportunity to socialize and discuss the presentation.
John Illsley was born and educated in Johannesburg, where he obtained a degree in history from the University of the Witwatersrand. His teaching career spanned 36 years, and he spent it entirely at Pretoria Boys High School, where he headed the History Department, founded the school's Aeronautical Society, and was the longest-serving senior deputy headmaster. He was also the author of In Southern Skies, a pictorial history of early aviation in Southern Africa. He held a private pilot's license and flew two vintage aircraft that he had restored. In short, John knew a great deal about aviation and its history.