Cecil Pashley
Encyclopedia
Cecil Lawrence Pashley MBE
AFC
(1891 - 1969) was a British aviation pioneer.
Pashley was born in the Great Yarmouth
, Norfolk
on 14 May 1891. He learned to fly in 1908 and, with his brother Eric, started flight training at Shoreham Airport
in 1913 when they founded the South Coast Flying club. One of Pashley's students was F.G. Miles
. Later he founded the Southern Aero Club which remained in business after his death.
Pashley trained large numbers of pilots during both world wars. During the Second World War Pashley was commissioned in the Royal Air Force
Volunteer Reserve. He was awarded the Air Force Cross
in 1944 and a made a Member of the Order of the British Empire
in 1948. Pashley was a Flight Lieutenant
when he resigned his commission in 1954.
At least some of his archive has been purchased by the West Sussex
Record Office
A road at Shoreham Airport and a local bus have been named after him.
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
AFC
Air Force Cross (United Kingdom)
The Air Force Cross is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the United Kingdom Armed Forces, and formerly also to officers of the other Commonwealth countries, for "an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying, though not in active operations against the enemy"...
(1891 - 1969) was a British aviation pioneer.
Pashley was born in the Great Yarmouth
Great Yarmouth
Great Yarmouth, often known to locals as Yarmouth, is a coastal town in Norfolk, England. It is at the mouth of the River Yare, east of Norwich.It has been a seaside resort since 1760, and is the gateway from the Norfolk Broads to the sea...
, Norfolk
Norfolk
Norfolk is a low-lying county in the East of England. It has borders with Lincolnshire to the west, Cambridgeshire to the west and southwest and Suffolk to the south. Its northern and eastern boundaries are the North Sea coast and to the north-west the county is bordered by The Wash. The county...
on 14 May 1891. He learned to fly in 1908 and, with his brother Eric, started flight training at Shoreham Airport
Shoreham Airport
- Sussex Police Air Operations Unit :The Sussex Police Air Operations Unit is headquartered at Shoreham Airport. The unit has been equipped since February 2000 with a MD Explorer, registered as "G-SUSX". The unit is headed by a Police Inspector, assisted by a Police Sergeant and two Police...
in 1913 when they founded the South Coast Flying club. One of Pashley's students was F.G. Miles
Frederick George Miles
Frederick George Miles was an English aircraft designer and manufacturer.-Early life:Miles was born on 22 March 1903 in Worthing Sussex the oldest of four sons of Frederick, a laundry proprietor, and his wife Esther. He left school...
. Later he founded the Southern Aero Club which remained in business after his death.
Pashley trained large numbers of pilots during both world wars. During the Second World War Pashley was commissioned in the Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
Volunteer Reserve. He was awarded the Air Force Cross
Air Force Cross (United Kingdom)
The Air Force Cross is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the United Kingdom Armed Forces, and formerly also to officers of the other Commonwealth countries, for "an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying, though not in active operations against the enemy"...
in 1944 and a made a Member of the Order of the British Empire
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
in 1948. Pashley was a Flight Lieutenant
Flight Lieutenant
Flight lieutenant is a junior commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many Commonwealth countries. It ranks above flying officer and immediately below squadron leader. The name of the rank is the complete phrase; it is never shortened to "lieutenant"...
when he resigned his commission in 1954.
At least some of his archive has been purchased by the West Sussex
West Sussex
West Sussex is a county in the south of England, bordering onto East Sussex , Hampshire and Surrey. The county of Sussex has been divided into East and West since the 12th century, and obtained separate county councils in 1888, but it remained a single ceremonial county until 1974 and the coming...
Record Office
A road at Shoreham Airport and a local bus have been named after him.
External links
- http://www.findon.info/sussex_sights/sussex_sights.htm
- http://www.theargus.co.uk/yourargus/nostalgia/pastpresent/display.var.846464.0.shoreham_had_a_role_in_aviation_history.php