Victor Clive Holyman

Victor Clive Holyman (27 August 1894 – 19 October 1934) was an Australian aviator and founder of Holyman's Airways Ltd, the precursor to Australian National Airways.

Early life Victor Clive Holyman was born on 27 August 1894 in Devonport, Tasmania. He was one of 13 children born to William Holyman Jr. and Honora Holyman. Victor's father was a mariner, and his grandfather William Holyman Sr. was the founder of William Holyman & Sons shipping company. and tea before the flight.

The company absorbed several competitors and was renamed Holyman’s Airways Pty Ltd before being awarded a tender as a subsidised air mail service to Tasmania in 1934 as part of the Empire Air Mail Scheme. They subsequently purchased two new De Havilland DH86 aircraft, the first of which was named the Miss Hobart. It commenced regular service between Launceston and Melbourne on 3 October 1934, co-piloted by Holyman.

Small amounts of wreckage and leaked oil were found at the site of the crash on 20 October. The passengers and crew were not located and were presumed dead, including Holyman.

Aftermath After Victor Holyman's death, his brother Ivan was put in charge of Holyman's Airways. The company's reputation suffered after the crash and it had fewer passengers than normal in the following year, although it eventually recovered. In 1936, it merged with Adelaide Airways, becoming Australian National Airways. Victor's widow Hazel was distraught after the accident, and left the company to travel in England and the United States. She returned to Australian National Airways in 1939 at Ivan's behest, to serve as Superintendent of Air Hostesses. She was nicknamed "Matron" Holyman, and helped develop the air hostess profession in Australia.