Herbert Joseph Larkin, DFC (8 October 1894 – 10 June 1972) was an Australian flying ace of the First World War credited with 11 confirmed victories.
The Larkin patriarch was a clerk for the Australian United Steam Navigation Company until about 1901; he then moved his family to Melbourne.
He was awarded the French Croix de guerre in March 1917 for the excellence of his visual and photographic reconnaissance work while piloting a Royal Aircraft Factory RE.8.
As the accompanying citation stated: Larkin married Vera Grace Russell Doman in St Saviour's Church, London, on 15 March 1919.
After his arrival, he initially barnstormed "educational flights" in a Sopwith Dove and made fuel storage systems in his shop in Glen Huntly.
[1] On 28 February, he testified in court during an inquest into the death of a spectator killed during a buzzing incident during an aviation display at Geelong Racecourse two weeks prior.
The company would grow to over 100 employees, and produce gliders and a number of powered light aircraft designs, including Australia's first all-metal airplane, the Lasco Lascoter of 1929.
However, his lack of suitable aircraft and sufficient capital led him to partner with Frank L. Roberts in Australian Aerial Services.
[14] As part of this partnership, Larkin Aircraft Supply Co. flew airmail and passengers over several different routes in Australia between 2 June 1924 and 9 September 1926, connecting Adelaide, Sydney, Broken Hill, Mildura, and Hay.
[1] In early 1928, Larkin had fuel supplies carried by camel train from Oodnadatta to Alice Springs, establishing depots along the route.
[16] A contemporary description of Larkin noted that his glaring deepset eyes and pinched mouth displayed his impatience and lack of tact.
Certainly, his public accusation of corruption against the secretary for the Department of Defence Malcolm Lindsay Shepherd in February 1929 was a decidedly undiplomatic means of furthering a government-supported business.
[1] In 1932, Larkin helped establish the Australian Air Convention as a means of forming national aviation policies.
In December 1933, this unincorporated non-governmental body distributed 1,300 copies of a circular, including one mailed to Shepherd's successor, Sir George Pearce.
WMC's counsel entered into evidence both Larkin's unsuccessful prior accusation of Secretary Shepherd and a letter alleging corruption addressed to the Bribery and Secret Commissions Prevention League.
WMC's Company Secretary and three members of the Board of Directors testified there were no aerial survey contract discussions.
[1] On 24 July 1939, Larkin was appointed a flight lieutenant in Class CC for service in the General Duties Branch of the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve.