Wilfrid Parke
Wilfrid Parke (1889-1912). Early Aviator
1889 April 1st. Born in Devon.
1912 22nd December. Lieut. Wilfred Parke, R.N., with Mr. A. Hardwick as passenger, flying on a Handley Page monoplane, fitted with a 70-h.p. Gnome engine, left the London Aerodrome, Hendon, on Sunday, December 15th, 1912, at about 11.50 a. m., with the intention of flying to Oxford. When approaching the Wembley Golf Links, after having been in the air about five minutes, the aircraft was observed to be flying tail down. When to the west of the Golf Links, the aircraft made a half-circle to the left, the pilot, possibly, having the intention of returning to Hendon. During this turn, he crossed over a line of trees, which brought him over the Links. The aircraft, when a short distance from the trees, fell to the ground, killing the pilot and passenger. The aircraft was completely wrecked. Lieut. Wilfred Parke, R.N., was granted his Aviator's Certificate No. 73 on April 25th, 1911, by the Royal Aero Club. [1]