Father: Frederick William Royffe, mother: Lilian Ed. Southend College Address in 1941: (with parents) Broomybank, Mardley Hill, Welwyn, Herts prev. Buyer, Murphy Radio, Welwyn; RAF Sgt. Pilot Sep 1939 - Oct 1940 prev. exp 105 hrs on Tiger Moth, Miles Master m. Apr 1941 in St Albans, Herts, Joan Violet [Fisher] Postings: 2FPP, 6FPP, 3FPP Suspended without pay for 14 days in July 1941 for 'low flying' [Contract Terminated] By 1943 he was a 'test and ferry pilot', and witness to a tragic accident: "KILLED BY PROPELLER Exmouth Girl's Mistake QUESTIONS TO FERRY PILOT How an inspectress employed by the Aeronautical Inspection Directorate walked into the revolving propeller of an aeroplane and sustained fatal injuries was described at an inquest in the West Country on Monday on Joyce Florence Bowmer, aged 23. Garfield Henry Headon, an electrical instrument inspector, described how on Friday he was standing by an aircraft, the engine of which was running at half throttle and making a good deal of noise. Mr. Coates was in the front cockpit and Mr. Royffe in the rear cockpit. Kenneth Royffe, test and ferry pilot, said at the time he was in the rear cockpit checking the oil gauge when his engine practically stopped, and he saw a piece of propeller flying through the air. He closed the throttle and shut off the engine, and as he got out of the cockpit he saw deceased prostrate on the ground. The Coroner returned a verdict of "Accidental death." "I have no doubt in due course there will be some other form of inquiry held," added the Coroner, "and, therefore, I do not feel it incumbent on me to make any comments as to what may or ought to be done. That I can quite well leave in the hands of other people, but I sincerely hope there will be no recurrence of such an affair as this."- Western Morning News - Wednesday 7 April 1943
d. 2001, Southend on Sea, Essex Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
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