Tony Gaze, World War II flying ace and first Australian in F1, dies age 93 Gaze was a decorated pilot in World War II, flying with renowned aces Douglas Bader and Johnnie Johnson, earning a Distinguished Flying Cross for his efforts at the controls of a Spitfire. Tony Gaze racing a Ferrari at the Gnoo Blas circuit near Orange in the 1950s. Lex Davison, Tony Gaze and Stan Jones - father of future F1 world champion Alan - ahead of the 1953 Monte-Carlo Rally. Tony Gaze, a decorated World War II pilot and the first Australian to race in a world championship Grand Prix, died age 93. Picture: Alex Coppel Source: News Limited TONY Gaze, the first Australian to compete in a round of the Formula 1 world championship and a decorated World War II pilot, has died. Gaze was a Spitfire pilot in WWII. The 93-year-old passed away peacefully in his Victorian home in the early hours of Monday morning. A fighter pilot for the allied forces in World War II, Gaze earnt a Distinguished Flying Cross for his efforts, entering motorsport following the end of hostilities. At the 1952 Belgian Grand Prix, he became the first Australian driver to compete in a World Championship Grand Prix, then run to Formula 2 regulations. He became a part of an alliance of Australian drivers racing overseas known as the Kangaroo Stable, its members including greats such as Lex Davison, David McKay and a young Jack Brabham. Gaze would go on to marry Davison's widow, Diana, who passed away last year. In marrying Davison, he would also become the step-grandfather to current V8 Supercars racers Will and Alex Davison and IndyCar hopeful James Davison. His family are holding a private funeral service this week, with public memorial service to be held in the weeks to come to commemorate Gaze's remarkable life.