Gipsy Moth at East Heslerton.
On the 24th of June 1934 this aircraft crashed near the Scarborough Aero Club at West Heslerton / Ganton.
The wreckage caught fire and the young pilot sadly could not be rescued from his aircraft and was killed. The airfield was in
the area behind where the Snooty Fox cafe now is
located on land known as "Five Acres". Members of Heslerton Cricket and Bowls Clubs are to thank for this information.
The aircraft was built by The De Havilland Aircraft Co Ltd at Stag Lane and first registered to John W.P. Chalmers at
Stag Lane on 2nd November 1928. The aircraft was given the name "Cygnet" which it is believed to have carried all it's life. The C of A was
issued 20th November 1928 and it was purchased by Walter F. Rickard at Woodley on 30th October 1930 but it is believed to have been
operated by his co-owned business, Rollason Aviation Co., at Croydon. The C of A lapsed on 29th November 1930. It was reported
registered to Surrey Flying Services Ltd at Croydon in October 1931 but it was more likely still owned by Rollason Aviation Co. The
C of A renewed 22nd December 1931 and it was operated by South Downs Aero Club at Ford, in March 1933. This was a subsidiary company
of Rollason Aviation Co. It was later purchased by Scarborough Aero Club Company Ltd at Ganton, East Heslerton on 25th November 1933.
It sustained Cat. W/FA Burnt in the fatal crash on 24th June 1934 and its registration was cancelled in December 1934.
Pilot - Mr Gerald Henry Lawson Royle, aged 16, of 32 Crown Lane Gardens, Streatham Common, North London, SW16.
The pilot was cremated in Hull and his ashes later scattered over the Scarborough airfield at which he learnt to fly.
He had began flying at the age of fourteen. His father had been the lessee of a well known hall in Scarborough until
just before the crash.
Hawk G-ADGR (the "GR" being Gerald Royle's initials) was completed on 8th April 1935 and first registered
to C.A. Nepean Bishop, the secretary of Reading Aero Club on 29th May 1939. Bishop knew Royle and it is believed
he was the instigator of the 'memorial' aircraft, having written to the Royle family to express his condolences.
The aircraft was later sold to The Insurance Flying Club and finally passed onto Juilian Rowntree. It crashed on 18th July 1937
on landing at Evere Airport, Brussels, when on a return flight from a holiday trip to Frankfurt, injuring Julian Rowntree
and killing his wife, Beatrice. The registration was cancelled as destroyed. (This history is supplied by Barry Stuart, Peter Hillman and
Malcolm Filmore, to whom I thank.)
Mr and Mrs George Royle opened a navigation room at the Reading Aero Club on 17th February 1935 in memory of their
late son. Their son often flew at this club prior to his death. In addition to this a large collection resulted in the same club being
able to buy a memorial aeroplane of Gerald Royle which was handed to the club in June 1935. Messers Phillips and Powis helped with
the purchase of a Miles M.2 Hawk by reducing the price to allow the club to have it a reduced rate.