Newspapers by seaplane Kent 1919

[james evans]

The attached photos are from my Dad's album compiled during his time in the RFC/RAF. He was stationed at Lympne airfield from August 1917 to June 28, 1919. They have not been captioned  so, although the photos were most likely taken at Lympne, it is not absolutely certain.
On May 4, 1919, the Evening News of London started a special delivery service by Fairey seaplane from the Thames at Blackfriars to Westgate/Margate. It would appear from the photos that there was a second leg of this service whereby a landplane would pick up papers from Westgate for onward delivery to Lympne or wherever. As can be seen the car is fully laden with papers so, if this was at Lympne, then they were most likely destined for Hythe and Folkestone.
I wonder therefore if there would be anyone from the area, particularly with connections in the news agency business, who might recognise any of the faces. Also, may I request that if anyone has easy access to local newspaper records would they kindly make a check for any reporting of this event. This would be only for the week beginning May 5,1919, as I believe the service lasted for only a week. This would be very much appreciated.

[AlanBoyd]

A few more details in this article: 4 May 1919: Weekly Dispatch (London)

[AlanBoyd]

The pilot Sydney Pickles is mentioned in the September 16th edition of The Westminster Gazette, see below. This probably explains why I could not find him in the 1921 census.

FLYING IN AUSTRALIA.
Мr. Sydney Pickles Returns with Latest Model.
Mr. Sydney Pickles, the Sydney airman, has arrived in New South Wales with the most recent model of machine, with which he intends to display the possibilities of aerial developments in Australia. Mr. Pickles has arranged for the shipment of other machines to Sydney, amongst which will be one with a speed of 158 miles per hour.

[AlanBoyd]

Some information about Sydney Pickles here:

https://www.earlyaviators.com/epickles.htm

There is a photo at the site: is it the same man peering out in the photo posted on this thread?

[tonepad]

Alfred Harmsworth, 1st Viscount Northcliffe the owner of the featured newspapers promoted early aviation in the UK:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daily_Mail_aviation_prizes


Tony

[james evans]

Thanks Alan and Tony,
That Weekly Dispatch article is interesting, especially the phrase " and other places along the Kent coast".
As to the pilot in the photo being Sydney Pickles, I don't think so - he would be needed to get his seaplane back to London. (Can't be too sure of course, as he was an extraordinary aviator)
This second leg of the delivery, i.e. from Westgate/Margate to Lympne(?), was by Sopwith Gnu K101. Attached is photo of the plane which I was prevented from posting originally because of file size limitations.
Five weeks later it was destroyed by fire after crash landing on the beach at Southport.

[james evans]

I'm very pleased to report that the mystery of these photos has been solved.
This is thanks to David Hassard of the Kingston Aviation Centenary Project (Kingston being the home of the Sopwith company) who has sent me the attached history summary of Sopwith Gnu K101.
From this it is clear that the photos were taken at Lympne Airfield after the aircraft's flight from Hounslow on 1st May 1919 carrying bundles of "The Evening News" and thereby making history as the first delivery of newspapers by air.
The poster, by the way, although textually correct, is rather misleading in depicting a seaplane. It had certainly led me astray in thinking that this was perhaps the second leg of a delivery which took place three days later between Blackfriars and Westgate/Margate.
I am rather surprised that all this went unreported in the local newspapers particularly those of nearby Hythe and Folkestone. Looking forward therefore to the day when The Evening News for 1919 is included in the British Newspapers Archive.
Many thanks to everyone for your comments and interest
James