More Info →Captain Russell and Violet Hibbard with Walsh Brothers DH6 aeroplane, Dannevirke

Captain Russell, DFC & Croix de Guerre, (right) was the pilot of the Walsh Brothers DH6 which travelled around New Zealand promoting air travel and taking people for 'joy rides'. 15 year old Violet Hibbard (left), of Dannevirke, was the passenger in the flight from Dannevirke to Palmerston North on 31 July, 1920. The Walsh Brothers aeroplane was the first plane to land in Palmerston North.