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Aviation History
1915
1915 - 0494.PDF
FIVE YEARS AGO. MONDAY next, July 12th, is the fifth anniversary of the lamentable death of the Hon. C. S. Rolls. It seems hardly possible that it is so long ago, so much has been accomplished in the world of aviation since that fateful date, when a telegram arrived from Bourne mouth Aerodrome, at the office of FLIGHT, announcing the fatal accident to poor Rolls, which deprived aero nautics of one of the most valuable and promising practical supporters of the new art. The news came as a great shock to the thousands of his friends who had known Lord and Lady Llangattock's son through the years gone before, when, whilst still at Cambridge, Charlie Rolls had been one of the most prominent personages in the eye of the world by reason of his very energetic support of motorism. That was in the days when the red flag still held sway, and having accomplished so much in that industry, it was with great joy that it was presently learned that in like manner he was to be one of the earliest pioneers to join up in forwarding the cause of the heavier-than-air "cranks"—they were cranks in those days. Perhaps it was but natural that he should come into this field, as for years before his name was associated with ballooning, when aeroplanes were still but a dream of the theorists. From various quarters the suggestion has been put forward that it is a fitting time to perpetuate his memory by some form of memorial, and probably in normal times such a course would be taken up enthusiastic ally. But these are not normal times, and probably those who are desirous of giving support to such a proposal may find a very opportune outlet in this direction by sub scribing generously to the very splendid " Flying Services Fund," of which Lord Kinnaird is the Hon. Treasurer, and which is under the auspices of the Royal Aero Club, 166, Piccadilly, and has the direct official support of both the British Flying Services. It would be a graceful method of paying a tribute to this British pioneer of aviation, and we do not doubt there would be little difficulty in combining all such subscriptions under the special heading of " In Memoriam C. S. Rolls." A double object by this means would be attained, and it AN ANNIVERSARY. would be difficult to find any fund more worthy of support than this Flying Services Fund, having regard to the enormous value which the new art has been to this country in the present war. It is a fund established for the benefit of officers and men of the Royal Naval Air Service and the Royal Flying Corps who are A REMINISCENCE OF THE LATE HON. C. S. ROLLS.— Another photograph by the late Hon. C. S. Rolls of the " Hare- and-Hounds" Race, In this the "Imp" is seen partially inflated at the finishing point, as a guide to the competitors, and on the ground can be seen the envelope of Mr. A. M. Singer's balloon, the "Satellite" (winner), deflated, showing how near Mr. Singer landed to the quarry. incapacitated on active service and for the widows and dependents of those who are killed, and which is administered by a committee of which the Marquess of Tullibardine is chairman. It was for aviation Rolls sacrificed his life, whilst all his previous work may be summed up in one word—Progress. As early as 1895, as an Undergraduate at Cambridge, A REMINISCENCE OF THE LATE HON. C. S. ROLLS IN A "HARE-AND-HOUNDS" BALLOON RACE.— Two interesting photographs taken by the late Hon. C S. Rolls when setting the pace in the "Imp" in "Hare-and- Hounds" Race from Hurlingham in the July previous to his death. On the left the " Hounds" are seen coming up behind, with Hurlingham in the distance; and on the right a birdseye view of Short's ballooning ground at the Battersea gasworks is seen, this latter picture giving an idea of the low altitude at which Mr. Rolls sailed over London. 494
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