The recent posting of the RAE Library photo link was wonderful. I have spent the past two days going through the hundreds of photos of the pre-WWI aviators. I have been trying to confirm the identity of one of the autographs I have in an autograph book of Hendon aviators. There are 31 pages that have aviators autgraphs. 28 pages also have small original portrait clippings, likely from Flight Magazine, of the period. (so NO I.D. problems, there…)There are 8 pages with signature only. 11 are dated 1913, and 5 are dated 1912. I have identified all of the aviators signatures, with one exception. As seen below, it is something of a fast scribble. Having poured through the 1912-1913 volumes of Flight, all of these aviators seem to be well known, with long histories, and many references to each, throughout the volumes. By the process of elimination of possible names, the only one I can guess on, would be, Lord Carbery? First impressions lead one to conclude the possibility of Carr, but I have his differing autograph on another page, to rule that out. I would welcome any thoughts on verifcation of this “mystery” autograph.
By: Arabella-Cox - 21st January 2011 at 09:14
Joe,
No problem, I’ll next be there the week after next.
Mike,
Yes that’s the man, very prominent in pre-WW1 sports flying at Hendon and elsewhere.
By: RPSmith - 20th January 2011 at 23:39
probably stupid (it is fairly late at night and I’ve drunk my cocoa 🙂 ) but the name Geoffrey de Havilland sort of jumped out at me.
G’night, Roger Smith.
By: Arabella-Cox - 20th January 2011 at 22:07
Looks as though we could be talking John Evans-Freke who became 10th Baron Carbery, he inherited the title in childhood. As you say he flew in the 1914 Schneider Trophy race. He learned to fly before the Great War but cannot confirm where.
After a period in the USA he emigrated to Kenya changing his name to John Carberry along the way. He was one of the founding fathers of aviation in Kenya during the late 20s and throughout the 30s. He will forever be associated with VP-KAA deH 51, that lives on in the Shuttleworth Collection.
Have further information should you require it.
Planemike
By: barnstormer - 20th January 2011 at 21:41
Thank you for the offer Schneiderman. I would appreciate it if you could check Carbery’s signature, on your next visit to Hendon. Since he flew a Deperdussin, at Monaco, in the 1914 Schneider Race, it may prove turn up some other interesting info for you, too. I shall notify you if I find any more references, while continuing my search.
By: Arabella-Cox - 20th January 2011 at 20:05
Joe,
Have you checked Carbery’s pilot’s licence (aviator’s certificate)? They are available online at Ancestry.com and, I believe, free if you go via your local library (if it hasn’t gone yet). Failing that PM me and I will check the index at Hendon next time I visit.
Ciao
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January 20, 2011 at 6:16 pm