Amy about to board Jason in 1930 |
At some stage before 1922, Amy became a teacher in the primary department of a Sunday School, not that she was an enthusiastic chapel goer! (Her father was a staunch Methodist.) The Principal of her school felt she should go to University to read modern languages before she became a teacher. In 1922 she set off for Sheffield University. During this time the post war prosperity was declining and eventually there was the Great Strike of 1926. Amy would have been well aware, though she was reasonably protected from personal hardship, from scenes in Sheffield, plus her home town of Hull, of how the nation was suffering.
Aviation as a sport was very much in the news in the late 20’s. Amy had always loved outdoor sports since she was a child. The Hollywood film Wings appealed to Amy and contributed to the allure of flying. She made her first flight as a passenger on a five shilling pleasure trip and she later wrote “I would have liked to have done some stunts!”. Did this also sow a seed?
I wish to fly to Australia, one reason being that I am certain a successful flight of this nature, by an English girl, solo and in a light plane, would do much to engender confidence amongst the public in air travel.
Amy Johnson in 1932 |