Harry Hawker MBE AFC (1889-1921) was born in Victoria, but found a home with Sopwith Aviation in England and became one of its top World War I aircraft designers and test pilots. He became world-famous for his skill, daring and record-breaking efforts in the air, and later on the car racing track and on water. Hawker married an Englishwoman, Muriel Peaty, who not only bore two children but provided the stability he needed while he pursued his dream of speed. Hawker disappeared while attempting the first Atlantic crossing by plane, but re-appeared six days later in remarkable circumstances. On the surface, he was the epitome of his age—daredevil, competitive, pushing the boundaries, intensely focussed, ready to take on any challenge. Yet beneath his larrikin exterior and public affability, there bubbled away an underlying medical condition he seemingly discounted or denied. It was an heroic pose that would eventually result in his death in a flaming solo plane crash at the age of 32.