May Bradford
1897 - 1937
May is my grandfather's first cousin, and an inspiration in so many ways. This project will result in a book and a series of podcasts that I hope will inspire many more women.
May Bradford is significant to the history of aviation in Australia, particularly female aviation. This is but one aspect of her life that makes her worthy of recognition. She was as well a circus performer, highly accomplished horsewoman, and had a part in Queensland's first silent film. May was also a gem dealer and is of a family noted in the industry in Rubyvale. May Bradford's story is significant not only at a national level, but also at a regional Queensland level. Queenslanders, and particularly Queensland women need to know stories such as that of May Bradford - to have their own 'local' heroine.
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Highly accomplished equestrian
​May began riding horses at a very young age in the circus. She was known as being an excellent rider in the bush, and rode buck jumpers in rodeos. May competed regularly at regional shows and received an award for show-jumping in 1920 at the Brisbane Exhibition. She received this award from the (then) Prince of Wales.
Aviatrix
May held A, B & C class pilot licenses. She was the first female pilot in Australia to gain a commercial pilot license. May competed in the 1936 Brisbane to Adelaide air race, and owned her own plane, a British Klemm Eagle.
Circus Performer
May was an accomplished circus performer as part of the family business, Bradford's Surprise Party. Along with her siblings, she performed pony tricks, acrobatics and trapeze acts. The entire family were known to be excellent singers.