Egbert Cadbury facts for kids

Major Sir Egbert "Bertie" Cadbury (born April 20, 1893 – died January 12, 1967) was a British businessman. He was part of the famous Cadbury family, known for their chocolates. During World War I, he was a brave pilot. He became famous for shooting down two large German airships called Zeppelins over the North Sea. These were the L.21 in 1916 and the L.70 in 1918. For the L.70 attack, he flew a Airco DH.4 plane with Robert Leckie as his observer and gunner.

Growing Up and Family Life

Egbert Cadbury was born in Selly Oak, Birmingham, England. He was the youngest son of George Cadbury and his second wife, Elizabeth Cadbury. His grandfather, John Cadbury, started the famous Cadbury chocolate company.

When Egbert was one year old, his family moved to a new home called Northfield Manor House. He went to Leighton Park School in Reading. After school, he studied economics at Trinity College, Cambridge.

Flying in World War I

The Cadbury family were Quakers, a group known for their peaceful beliefs. However, when World War I began, Egbert left university. He chose to join the Royal Navy as a volunteer. He first served on a yacht called HMY Zarifa, which was used as a patrol boat.

Soon, Egbert became a pilot in the Royal Naval Air Service. He earned his pilot's license in June 1915. He was then sent to the Naval Air Station in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk.

First Battles in the Sky

Egbert first flew into action in August 1915. He flew a Sopwith plane against four Zeppelins, but he didn't succeed in hitting them. He even wrote to his brother saying the plane made him feel "cold feet," meaning nervous. By September, he felt sad about the war, as he had lost several friends from his squadron. In June 1916, he was promoted to flight lieutenant.

Shooting Down the L.21 Zeppelin

On November 27, 1916, ten Zeppelins flew towards England. One of them, the L.21, was spotted near the coast. It tried to bomb cities like Leeds and Stoke. Reports of its movements reached Great Yarmouth.

At dawn, Egbert Cadbury and two other pilots, Gerard W. R. Fane and Edward L. Pulling, took off in their B.E.2c planes. They went to find the Zeppelin. Egbert later described what happened: "I saw the Zeppelin coming towards the coast and chased it. It was flying at about 5,000 feet and then climbed to 8,000 feet. I went after it. I got behind it, about 3,000 feet below, and fired four rounds of explosive bullets into its tail. It immediately caught fire. Another pilot saw a man jump out of the Zeppelin. It was a horrible sight to see the Zeppelin burning and falling into the sea. I didn't feel happy or excited; I was just amazed by the sight of the Zeppelin and everyone on board going down."

For this brave action, Egbert and Fane received the Distinguished Service Cross. Pulling received an even higher award, the Distinguished Service Order. Soon after, Egbert got engaged to Mary Forbes Phillips, and they married in February 1917. They later had two sons.

The Final Zeppelin: L.70

In April 1918, the Royal Naval Air Service joined with the Royal Flying Corps to form the Royal Air Force. Egbert was promoted to squadron commander.

On the evening of August 5, 1918, Egbert faced Zeppelins again. Five airships, including the L.70, were heading for England. The commander of all German naval airships, Peter Strasser, was on the L.70. The airships were spotted at sea, and Egbert was called back to the airfield.

He quickly got into the only available plane, an Airco DH.4. With Captain Robert Leckie as his gunner, Egbert flew high into the sky. He saw three Zeppelins above him. He later said: "At 16,400 feet, I attacked the Zeppelin. It was amazing to see this huge airship filling the sky above me. My bullets set the escaping gas on fire, and the flames spread fast. In less than a minute, the airship became a fireball. The L.70 crashed into the clouds. It was one of the most terrifying things I've ever seen, watching that huge machine fall with all its crew."

The L.70 was destroyed, and Peter Strasser was killed. Egbert, Leckie, and another pilot then attacked another Zeppelin, which turned back home. All three pilots received the Distinguished Flying Cross for their bravery.

Life After the War

After the war, Egbert Cadbury left the Royal Air Force in 1919. He returned to the family business, joining J. S. Fry & Sons, which had merged with Cadbury's. He soon became a managing director. He helped move Fry's factories to Somerdale Garden City. At its busiest, the Somerdale factory had over 5,000 workers.

Egbert had many other interests besides his work. He served as a justice of the peace, helping with local law and order. He was also the chairman of the Bristol Federation of Boys' Clubs for 20 years. He became an honorary air commodore in the Auxiliary Air Force, helping with balloon defenses during World War II.

In 1944, he became a director of Lloyds Bank. He received a knighthood in 1957 for his public service in Somerset and Gloucestershire. This meant he was given the title "Sir" by the Queen.

Sir Egbert retired from Cadbury's in 1962. He passed away in 1967 at his home in Weston-super-Mare.

Remembering Egbert Cadbury

In October 2013, a special blue plaque was placed on Cadbury's old home in Great Yarmouth. This plaque remembers his brave act of shooting down the L.70. In August 2014, a painting showing the destruction of the L.70 was bought by the Time and Tide Museum in Great Yarmouth.