Edward Scholefield facts for kids

Edward Rodolph Clement Scholefield (1893-1929) was a very skilled pilot and even a motor racing driver. He was often called Tiny Scholefield. He won two important awards for his bravery: the Distinguished Conduct Medal and the Air Force Cross. Sadly, he died in 1929 while testing a new type of airplane called the Vickers Vanguard airliner.

Growing Up

Edward Scholefield was born in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, on October 22, 1893. When he was about six years old, he lived in Bournemouth, England. He attended a school there with his sister, Vandine.

Becoming a Pilot

Edward earned his first pilot's license in France on April 5, 1912. This was very early in aviation history! When the First World War began, he joined the Royal Flying Corps. This was the air force of Britain at the time.

In 1915, while flying over the Western Front, his plane was shot down. He was captured and became a prisoner of war in Germany. He remained a prisoner until the war ended. During the war, he showed great courage and was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal.

After the war, he continued his flying career. He became a special test pilot at the Royal Aircraft Establishment. In 1923, he received another important award, the Air Force Cross, for his excellent work in aviation.

A Test Pilot's Life

G-EBCP, the Vickers Vanguard in which Scholefield died

After leaving the Royal Air Force, Scholefield became the main test pilot for a company called Vickers. He worked at Brooklands, a famous place for racing cars and planes. He was well-known for flying in air races and showing off new aircraft.

In the 1920s, pilots usually did not wear parachutes. But in June 1926, Edward was given one and told to use it on all test flights. The very next day, this new rule saved his life! He was testing a Vickers Wibault aircraft when it flipped upside down and wouldn't turn right-side up. He quickly used his parachute and landed safely without any injuries.

Sadly, on May 16, 1929, Edward Scholefield was killed. He was testing the Vanguard airliner with a mechanic named Frank W. Sherratt. They were flying from Brooklands Aerodrome when they lost control. The plane nose-dived from about 2,000 feet (610 meters) and crashed near Shepperton, by the River Thames. People watching saw "something fluttering away from the tail" just before the crash. Edward died in the burning wreckage. Frank Sherratt jumped from the plane but also died from the fall.

His Family

Edward Scholefield married Dorothy Seymour in 1919. They had one son, Kenneth Rodolph Seymour, who was born in 1923.