Grendon
GRENDON: Temporary Landing Ground
Operated by: Claude Grahame-White
Period of operation: 28th April 1910
Location: The temporary Landing Ground at GRENDON is roughly equi-distant between Atherstone to the SE and Polesworth to the NW.
Note: These illustrations have been kindly provided by Mike Holder, a great friend of this 'Guide'.
NOTES: Claude Grahame-White landed here, (often described as Polesworth), to take on fuel, (during the Daily Mail sponsored London to Manchester Air Race), as he desperately tried, on his second attempt, to catch the French pilot Louis Paulhan who was in the lead. Paulhan had made it to LICHFIELD (a staging post) but G-W had landed at ROADE, NORTHAMPTONSHIRE as darkness fell. He then decided to take-off before dawn, the first recorded attempt to fly cross-country at night, a feat that many had predicted as being suicidal.
In the end the French pilot Louis Paulhan won, but the valiant and plucky English loser seems to have got more cuedos. Where have we heard this before? However, considering his making the first cross- country night flight during the ‘race’, perhaps Grahame-White did deserve some attention?
The fact that his Farnam biplane had been blown over in a gale during the night at HADEMORE CROSSING, and had to be taken back to London to be repaired, therefore trashing his two day lead in the race, must have been a major disappointment to him. But, to his credit, and despite this, he offered fullsome praise to Paulhan.
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