George Cross Recipient. On October 21, 1929 at Temple Bruer Landing Ground, Sleaford, Lincolnshire, he was flying with his instructor, Flying Officer H. E. Power, in an aeroplane that crashed on landing and at once caught fire. Having extracted himself, he found that his companion's foot was stuck in the wreckage and that he could not get out. Realising the risks, he re-entered the flames and helped Flying Officer Power to get clear, during which he sustained burns on the neck and face. Power's clothing was by this time well alight. Both men were taken by air to Cranwell Hospital. He was gazetted for the Empire Gallantry Medal of the Military Division on January 31, 1930. He was promoted to Flying Officer on December 28, 1930. On completion of his service with the RAF on June 28. 1934, he transferred to the RAF Reserve of Officers. At this time it was difficult to obtain employment as a commercial pilot in England and as a result he went to work on the construction of a jungle airfield for a gold-prospecting company in Papua New Guinea with his brother Bill. When this project was abandoned, he joined North Queensland Airways as a pilot, remaining for nine months. He then joined Guinea Airways, New Guinea.
George Cross Recipient. On October 21, 1929 at Temple Bruer Landing Ground, Sleaford, Lincolnshire, he was flying with his instructor, Flying Officer H. E. Power, in an aeroplane that crashed on landing and at once caught fire. Having extracted himself, he found that his companion's foot was stuck in the wreckage and that he could not get out. Realising the risks, he re-entered the flames and helped Flying Officer Power to get clear, during which he sustained burns on the neck and face. Power's clothing was by this time well alight. Both men were taken by air to Cranwell Hospital. He was gazetted for the Empire Gallantry Medal of the Military Division on January 31, 1930. He was promoted to Flying Officer on December 28, 1930. On completion of his service with the RAF on June 28. 1934, he transferred to the RAF Reserve of Officers. At this time it was difficult to obtain employment as a commercial pilot in England and as a result he went to work on the construction of a jungle airfield for a gold-prospecting company in Papua New Guinea with his brother Bill. When this project was abandoned, he joined North Queensland Airways as a pilot, remaining for nine months. He then joined Guinea Airways, New Guinea.
Bio by: Paul Barnett
Advertisement
See more Wiltshire memorials in:
Records on Ancestry
Advertisement
