TonyGaze

Early Career and Military Service

Frederick Anthony Owen Gaze, born on February 3, 1920, in Melbourne, Victoria, embarked on a life marked by extraordinary courage and diverse achievements. His early education took place at Geelong Grammar School, and by September 1939, when World War II commenced, he was a student at Queens' College, Cambridge. His father, Irvine Gaze, was notably a member of the Ross Sea Party, which prepared for Ernest Shackleton's Antarctic expedition, hinting at a family legacy of pioneering spirit. Gaze's path took a decisive turn in 1940 when he joined the Royal Air Force. Following his training, with 122 hours of flying time under his belt, he was assigned to No. 610 Squadron RAF at RAF Westhampnett in March 1941. Here, he began flying cross-channel fighter sweeps. His first aerial victory, a Messerschmitt Bf 109, was recorded on June 26. The subsequent month saw him claim two additional victories, one half-share, and two probables, earning him the first of his three Distinguished Flying Crosses (DFCs). Tragically, his brother, Pilot Officer Scott Gaze, who had joined No. 610 Squadron with him, was killed in action on March 23, 1941. By November 1941, Gaze transitioned to an instructor role at No. 57 Operational Training Unit (OTU). His second operational tour commenced in June 1942 with No. 616 Squadron RAF, where he piloted the high-altitude Spitfire Mk.VI. During the challenging Dieppe Raid on August 19, 1942, Gaze earned his second DFC after successfully destroying an enemy fighter. Later that month, he was promoted to command No. 64 Squadron RAF, flying the then-new Spitfire IX. However, a mission on September 26, 1942, supporting a bombing raid at Morlaix, led to a setback. An Eagle Squadron, No. 133 Squadron RAF, suffered significant losses, and Gaze was initially made a scapegoat, being transferred back to No. 616 Squadron as a flight commander. It was later determined that the high casualties were due to pilot inexperience and unexpected adverse weather conditions. After a period of rest in early 1943, Gaze returned to operational duty in August 1943 with No. 66 Squadron RAF at RAF Kenley. On September 4, 1943, over Le Tréport, after downing a Focke-Wulf Fw 190, Gaze's own Spitfire V was shot down by Heinz-Gerhard Vogt. He crash-landed 20 miles from Dieppe, sustained minor injuries, evaded capture, and, with the assistance of the French Resistance, made his way to neutral Spain. Returning to Britain in February 1944, Gaze joined the Air Fighting Development Unit (ADFU) at Wittering before rejoining No. 610 Squadron on the continent in July 1944. He achieved a notable feat on February 14, 1945, claiming a Messerschmitt Me 262 jet near Emmrich on the Rhine, becoming the first Australian to accomplish this. He also shared in the destruction of an Arado Ar 234 jet bomber on April 12, 1945. This Me 262 victory led to his third DFC, an honour bestowed upon only 47 individuals during the entire Second World War. In the closing stages of the war, on May 2, 1945, Gaze was posted as a flight commander to No. 616 Squadron, becoming one of the first Australians to fly the Gloster Meteor in combat. Throughout his military career, Gaze flew alongside legendary figures such as Douglas Bader and Johnnie Johnson. He concluded the war as Australia's tenth-highest-ranking ace, credited with 12.5 confirmed victories, 4 probables, and 5 damaged aircraft across 488 combat missions, all while piloting various marks of Supermarine Spitfires.

Formula One Debut and Formative Racing Years

Gaze's transition from aerial combat to motor racing began with a pivotal suggestion in 1946. He proposed to the Duke of Richmond and Gordon, Freddie March, that the roads around RAF Westhampnett would be an ideal location for a racing track. Acting on this insight, March subsequently opened the renowned Goodwood Circuit in 1948. Upon his return to Australia after the war, Gaze initiated his racing career with an Alta racing car he had brought with him. His ambition soon led him back to Europe, where he competed in Formula 2 for the 1951 season with an Alta. For the 1952 season, he upgraded to an HWM-Alta, intending to continue in F2. However, a significant shift in the sport's landscape altered his trajectory: the governing body decided to change the World Championship regulations from Formula One to Formula 2. This regulatory change aligned perfectly with Gaze's preparations. He participated in several non-championship F1 events before making his historic World Championship debut at the Grote Prijs van Belgie (Belgian Grand Prix) at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in June 1952. Qualifying his HWM-Alta in 16th position, Gaze improved one place during the race to finish 15th, thereby becoming the first Australian to contest a World Championship motor race. This landmark achievement was followed by appearances in the RAC British Grand Prix and the Großer Preis von Deutschland (German Grand Prix). He attempted to qualify for the Gran Premio d’Italia (Italian Grand Prix) but was unsuccessful.

Subsequent Racing Endeavours and Team Leadership

The 1953 season saw Gaze diversify his racing activities. He was part of the inaugural Australian crew to attempt the arduous Rallye Monte Carlo, driving a Holden FX alongside Lex Davison and Stan Jones. The trio showed promising pace, at one point ranking within the top ten, ultimately finishing the event in 64th position. That same year, Gaze also competed in sports car events across Europe, piloting an Aston Martin DB3. During the Grande Prémio de Portugal, he endured a severe accident when his car collided with a Ferrari and subsequently struck a tree. Thrown clear as the Aston Martin flipped and caught fire, Gaze was carried to safety by spectators, sustaining only cuts and bruises – a testament to his resilience. In 1954 and 1955, Gaze continued his racing career, notably campaigning the ex-Ascari Ferrari 500 F2 in non-championship events across Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. Upon his return to England, Gaze took a significant step in team management, establishing the Kangaroo Stable. This pioneering venture marked the first Australian international racing team, and among its members was a young Jack Brabham, who would later become a Formula One legend. The team campaigned Aston Martin DB3S cars. However, the tragic Le Mans disaster led to the cancellation of numerous races, which ultimately resulted in the disbandment of the Kangaroo Stable at the close of the season. Gaze, undeterred, continued to race for another season.

Legacy and Post-Racing Life

While Gaze's racing career did not yield World Championship titles, his pioneering spirit and role as the first Australian to compete in a Formula One Grand Prix cemented his place in motorsport history. His contribution extended beyond the cockpit, as evidenced by his instrumental suggestion that led to the creation of the Goodwood Circuit. Following his active racing career, Gaze explored another aviation pursuit: gliding. Inspired by a conversation with Prince Bira, an enthusiastic glider competitor, Gaze embraced the sport. He became an active member of the Bristol and Gloucestershire Gliding Club at Nympsfield and went on to represent Australia in the 1960 World Gliding Championships, held at the Butzweiler airfield near Köln. In his personal life, Tony Gaze was married twice: first to Kay Wakefield, who passed away in 1976, and later to fellow racing driver Diana Davison, who died in 2012. Diana was the widow of Lex Davison, with whom Gaze had competed in the Rallye Monte Carlo. Gaze also became the step-grandfather to the third generation of Davison racing drivers: Alex, Will, and James, connecting his legacy to a continuing lineage in motorsport. Tony Gaze passed away on July 29, 2013, leaving behind a remarkable story of a fighter pilot and racing pioneer.