A sad de Havilland place.....

[Martin Bull]

Bit different for the 'aviation photography' section, I know, but...

Mrs B and I were enjoying a country walk today in Hertfordshire and picnicked in a quiet churchyard. While Mrs B read the Sunday papers, I walked around and found...

http://s23.photobucket.com/albums/b380/jgfive/MossieMuseum/DH013.jpg

A little closer....

http://s23.photobucket.com/albums/b380/jgfive/MossieMuseum/DH001.jpg


It turns out to be the de Havilland family burial plot. John de Havilland died in a Mosquito collision over St Albans in 1943. Geoffrey de Havilland ( junior ) was killed on the evening of 27/9/46 when the DH108 tail-less jet broke up over the Thames Estuary while approaching the speed of sound ( this incident inspired the David Lean film The Sound Barrier ).

It's a beautiful spot, and just over the valley is Panshanger airfield and the sound of light aircraft can be clearly heard.

You never know what you're going to find on a Sunday afternoon walk.....

[nursey]

MB, yet another great post. You are so right when saying you never know what you might come across on a Sunday afternoon.

Many thanks for posting.

[Red 2]

What a fascinating find!:cool:

And did Mrs B believe you that it was a coincidence that the butler had chosen that spot for lubcheon?:D

[uksubs]

Great stuff again MB :cool:

[Martin Bull]

And did Mrs B believe you that it was a coincidence that the butler had chosen that spot for lubcheon?:D

Yep - and it was a coincidence ! :o The village is called Tewin and I had no idea about the de Havilland connection. What an incredible story when you think of it - Geoffrey senior starting his business from nothing ( his wife stitching the fabric on his first aircraft ) then massive expansion, the Mossie, losing two sons in 'the business', the Sound Barrier, the Comet...all in one man's lifetime.

And now the whole lot has gone.