From Aotearoa to Hibbing Minnesota

1918, Wellington, New Zealand - a young man with dreams of flight steps on board an ocean-going steam-ship that will take him half-way around the world.
But Frank Banks is not what he seems to be. As a New Zealander, he is keenly aware of the potential of powered flight. (Some claim the first controlled heavier than air flight was made in New Zealand in 1902, a year ahead of the Wright Brothers) Frank is on his way to the United States, which has become involved in the Great War of 1914-19.
American pilots have already taken part in the new science of air fighting, using aircraft borrowed from the Allied air forces with improvised insignia. In the United States, desperate attempts are being made to ramp up production of US built aircraft to be shipped across the Atlantic.
Anticipating this, the United States Army has formed its own air service, the precursor to what would eventually become the United States Air Force.
Despite being born in New Zealand, Frank's mother lived in Hibbing, Minnesota, on the outskirts of Minneapolis. Connecting them, as with many servicemen, was a series of long and delicate letters, detailing his experiences as their country goes to war.

Lilydale, Victoria, Australia, April 2024 - a non-descript industrial facility. 'Does anyone know whose this is?' No answer. The questioner is pointing to what appears to be a pile of rubbish. Interested in the dusty stamps and photos, he takes the box of photos and papers out to his car.
Where to take them? Somewhere where people are interested in history. He locates the nearest local museum on his mobile phone, and drives there, to nearby Ferntree Gully.
Ray Peace, president of the local historical society, is not so sure. 'Ah, they don't fit in with our collections policy', he explains. 'I'll take them home and have a look'. As soon as the very temporary custodian of this material is out of earshot, others at the museum are in absolutely no doubt as to what should be done with these: 'Garbage. Chuck It Out'.

A few hours later, Ray is carefully sifting through the hundreds of letters and photos. Many are over one hundred years old. But how have they ended up in a suburban junk pile 20,000 km from the United States? Ray is mystified, but the pile of documents and photos tweaks his curiosity.

Ray is long since retired from his days as a local journalist, but is not unqualified for such an investigation. At one time a local police roundsman, in recent times he has assisted Victoria Police with cold case investigations, resulting in two arrests. Now what may be one of the biggest stories he has ever encountered may be starting to unfold...