Rare Original Autograph. R. J. Lillywhite - British Pioneer Aviator. 1914 (Chris Balm Early Aviation & Motoring Items)

Rare Original Autograph. R. J. Lillywhite - British Pioneer Aviator. 1914

SOLD

Rare Original Autograph. R. J. Lillywhite - British Pioneer Aviator. 1914

Genuine autograph by the British pioneer and RFC aviator, R. J. Lillywhite. Signed at Hendon Aerodrome and dated June 23rd 1914.

Signed in black ink on a blank postcard which also has an printed picture of him attached (this appears to be cut from an aviation magazine at the time of the signature). This item is part of a collection of pioneer aviator signatures which were accumulated prior to W.W.I. by a Miss N. Nadin of Cheltenham, England. Dimensions (including mount) : 178mm x 128mm. Good condition

Robert John Lillywhite qualified for his aviator's certificate on 1^st January 1914 (No. 720) at the Grahame-White School, Hendon Aerodrome, London. He was involved in Britain’s first parachute decent from an aircraft at Hendon (W. Newell – parachutist, F. W. Gooden – Pilot, R. J. Lillywhite – Passenger) and shortly after became a flying instructor for Grahame-White.
He enlisted in the Royal Flying Corps on 8th August 1914 as a Sergeant Pilot. He served with 3 Squadron on the Western Front from December 1914 and was commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant in September 1915. In the early part of 1916, Lillywhite flew with the future high scoring ace J. B. McCudden as his Observer. On the 1st September 1916 he was promoted to Captain, but was killed in a flying accident on 26th November 1916.

For information on R. J. Lillywhite, refer to the books : "History of British Aviation. 1908-1914" by R. Dallas Brett, and "A Contemptible Little Flying Corps" by I. Mcinnes & J. V. Webb.

------------------------------------------------------------

CLICK HERE TO VIEW OUR CURRENT INVENTORY

[ Web Site Home | Aviation Home | Motoring Home | Other Home ]