Nigel Love

Who was Nigel Love?

Wing Commander Nigel Borland Love was an Australian aviator and flour miller.

Love was born at South Kurrajong to businessman John Love and Rebecca, née Charley. He attended Sydney Boys' High School before working in his father's importing business, Plummer Love & Co. He visited Britain 1912–13. In 1915 he enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force and was sent to the government flying school at Richmond. He was commissioned on 11 January 1917 and sent for further training in Britain. In January 1918, having been promoted lieutenant, he served in France with the Australian Flying Corps until June, when he was returned to England as an instructor.

Love returned to Sydney in 1919 and, in partnership with W. J. Warneford and H. E. Broadsmith, registered the Australian Aircraft and Engineering Co. Ltd., establishing premises at Mascot. Love, the inaugural managing director, pursued a vigorous publicity campaign and in later supplied Qantas with its first commercial aircraft. The market was limited, however, and a lack of government assistance saw the company voluntarily liquidate in 1923. The Commonwealth resumed ownership of their airfield, now Kingsford Smith Airport, when the lease expired.