An aviation leader with a farmer’s heart
Most towns have their ‘good sorts’, local men and women who quietly and unassumingly contribute to their community, their dedication and involvement leaving a lasting and much-valued legacy. One such person was Frederick Sawyer, affectionately known as Fred. Fred made a significant contribution to both the local and national economy for 38 years.
Frederick William Sawyer was born on 14th January 1923 in Auckland. His parents were Richard Danzic (Dan) Sawyer, born in Port Lincoln, South Australia on 16th May 1886, and Daisy Prudence Sawyer née Allan, born 1887.
Dan and Daisy married in 1915. Fred was the only boy in their family, with five sisters.
Dan and Daisy dedicated their lives to the Salvation Army. Dan served as a Padre in World War One, and was a much-loved and respected figure around Thames. At the age of 12 years, Fred left school to help his father on their Kaihere farm.
In 1942, Fred left New Zealand to do his military training at the Royal Canadian Air Force, No. 3 Service Flying Training School, Calgary, where he received his wings – having overcome his curtailed education, and a nose reconstruction to pass the medical, and be accepted into the Air Force. On 5th May 1944, Fred graduated as a flying instructor, and was granted the rank of Pilot Officer. (Reference: The New Zealand Gazette, http:/library.victoria.ac.nz.)
On Saturday 23rd October 1943, whilst Fred was on leave, LAC Frederick Sawyer and Miss Betty Rae Harris were married at the Kaihere Hall. Fred and Betty Rae were blessed with four children: John, Linda, Prudence, and Andrew Frederick.
In 1945, Fred was posted to Burma (now Myanmar) to join a Mosquito Hornet Squadron; however, on 6th and 9th August,1945, the United States detonated two atomic bombs over the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
Fred returned to New Zealand.
On his retirement, Fred took over the family dairy farm; however, by 1950 due to his ongoing back problems, he was forced to consider what his future working life might be. As he had obtained his commercial instructor’s licence in October 1947, the Hauraki Aero Club considered itself very fortunate to have secured his services. An opportunity to form a topdressing company was offered to Fred. This would provide him with a job post-farming, and retain his services as a flying instructor at the Hauraki Aero Club.
By May 1950, arrangements were being finalised for the incorporation of a company to be called the Thames Aerial Topdressing Company. Provisional directors of the company were Frederick William Sawyer, Kaihere, Colvin Robertson, Thames, and Basil Oliver, Thames. The Company commenced operations on 6 October 1950, when Fred spread 20 tons of fertiliser on the property of Mr Percy Hanson at Wharehoe. As the Company’s first pilot, Fred had to develop his own technique for sowing fertiliser from the air, and to advise farmers on the construction of airstrips. He was also involved in the development of aircraft hoppers and loading vehicles. Aerial topdressing was a hazardous industry, but Fred’s record was exemplary. TATCO operated for 22 years without a fatality.
By 1972, the company had amalgamated with Fieldair Limited, Palmerston North. Fred was Managing Director for the next ten years. Prior to his retirement in January 1983, the company, with the approval of Federated Farmers, was converted to a cooperative, and operates today under the name Fieldair Holdings Limited. Fred was held in high esteem by his customers and competitors, and all those who worked with him. He earned the nickname ‘Errol Flynn of the Coromandel’. (Source: Roots ‘n’ Wings: A Summary, ‘Dedicated to Betty Rae,’ by Lynnette Hanson Munn.)
Fred’s wife Betty Rae died 22nd December, 1952 aged 29 years. Fred died in Thames on the 20th February, 2009, aged 86 years. His contribution to the aviation industry, and to the growth of topdressing in New Zealand is legendary, although Fred only ever considered himself to be ‘a country boy’ at heart.
Frederick William Sawyer, 14th January 1923 – 20th February 2009
Flying Officer – Service number 432911 R.N.Z.A.F.
Words by Robyn Pearce, volunteer, Thames Museum Te Whare Taonga o te Kauaeranga
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