Keith Langford-Smith

Keith Langford Smith drove overland in 1928 from Sydney to the Roper River in a Pontiac and flew through Arnhem Land for the Roper River Mission. He was the first pilot to fly across Arnhem Land.

Founded Marella Mission Farm for Aborigine children, at Kellyville.

LANGFORD-SMITH, KEITH (b. Sydney NSW, 2 Jan 1907; d. Sydney, NSW, 29 Sept 1981). Pioneer missionary aviator.

Keith Langford Smith was a son of Archdeacon S E and Mrs Langford Smith of Sydney. He was educated at Trinity Grammar School and the Hurlstone Agricultural High School. He was a missionary in training from May 1928-June 1930 at the CMS Roper River Mission, where he relieved an acute staffing shortage. Realising the great need for an aeroplane to be used to cover the difficult terrain of Arnhem Land, on his return to Sydney he secured a pilot's licence and in 1931 purchased a Gypsy Moth plane. Now a full CMS missionary he flew the Sky Pilot to the Roper River Mission, arriving there in July 1931. He then set about the task of exploring air routes and places where Aborigines as yet untouched might be reached. Later he was able to report that he had flown a total of 22 530 km.

After several years he was dismissed from the Mission in controversial circumstances. He later started the Marella Mission Farm at Kellyville in NSW for part-Aboriginal children. For many years he conducted a radio session on 2CH known as 'The Sky Pilot's Log'. He was awarded an AM in 1977 in recognition of 50 years' service to Aboriginal people.

Keith Cole, From Mission to Church (Bendigo, 1985); John Harris, One Blood (Sutherland, 1990); Marella Mission Farm Papers, Samuel Marsden Archives, MTC

SELECT WRITINGS: Sky Pilot in Arnhem Land (Sydney, 1935); Sky Pilot's Last Flight (Sydney, 1936)

KEITH COLE

Electronic Version © Southern Cross College, 2004

Content © Evangelical History Association of Australia and the author, 2004