Raimund Sanders Draper
Encyclopedia
Flying Officer Raimund Sanders Draper (born London, England, 1914; died age 29, 24 March 1943), known as "Smudge", was an American volunteer World War II
Royal Air Force
(RAF) pilot of No. 64 Squadron
. He deliberately crashed his Spitfire aircraft, in order to avoid hitting a school, after losing control on take-off from RAF Hornchurch
, and was killed.
The plane's engine cut out at an estimated altitude of 200 feet (61 m) and the plane went into a spin. As the plane headed for Suttons School, just 530 yards (484.6 m) from the airfield permieter, Draper put the nose down and forced the aircraft into the ground short of the main building. The aircraft bounced and a wing stuck the building.
Only one student, 13 year old Richard (Dick) Burton (sometimes Barten,) was injured, with 5 other students treated for minor shock.
One of the students who witnessed the accident recalled:
In 1973 the school was renamed Sanders Draper School
in his honour. A plaque on the building marks the point of impact and the schools's badge incorporates a Spitfire. An annual memorial service is held at his grave by men who were pupils at the school at the time of his death.
He left a daughter, Anne. His aunt was the actress Ruth Draper
; her brother Paul was his father. Other relatives included Paul Draper
, a noted dancer and actor and the society architect Paul Phipps, father of British actress Joyce Grenfell
.
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
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...
(RAF) pilot of No. 64 Squadron
No. 64 Squadron RAF
No. 64 Squadron was a squadron of the Royal Air Force. It was first formed on 1 August 1916 as a squadron of the Royal Flying Corps. It was last disbanded on 31 January 1991 at RAF Leuchars.- 1916 to 1919 :...
. He deliberately crashed his Spitfire aircraft, in order to avoid hitting a school, after losing control on take-off from RAF Hornchurch
RAF Hornchurch
RAF Hornchurch was an airfield in the south of Hornchurch in what is now the London Borough of Havering. Known as Sutton's Farm during the First World War, it occupied of the farm of the same name and was situated east north-east of Charing Cross...
, and was killed.
The plane's engine cut out at an estimated altitude of 200 feet (61 m) and the plane went into a spin. As the plane headed for Suttons School, just 530 yards (484.6 m) from the airfield permieter, Draper put the nose down and forced the aircraft into the ground short of the main building. The aircraft bounced and a wing stuck the building.
Only one student, 13 year old Richard (Dick) Burton (sometimes Barten,) was injured, with 5 other students treated for minor shock.
One of the students who witnessed the accident recalled:
At 10.45am an aircraft crashed on the playing field, the main parts being ricocheted onto the drive, fragments breaking a total of 9 windows in three classrooms. Splinters from the 'plane scored the wall and injured the playing field and shrubbery. Richard Burton received a cut on the leg from flying glass needing medical attention and five boys were treated from primary shock. The boy with the injured leg was conveyed to his home by ambulance, under Dr. Heath's orders. School was evacuated to shelter for 15 mins. owing to probability of danger from fire and exploding ammunition. By 11.15am the school had resumed normal work.
In 1973 the school was renamed Sanders Draper School
Sanders Draper School
The Sanders Draper School is a mixed-gender secondary school for students aged between 11 and 16 located in Hornchurch, London Borough of Havering, UK. It was a specialist science schooluntil recent and it shares its grounds with Sutton's Junior & Infant school, just off Suttons Lane...
in his honour. A plaque on the building marks the point of impact and the schools's badge incorporates a Spitfire. An annual memorial service is held at his grave by men who were pupils at the school at the time of his death.
He left a daughter, Anne. His aunt was the actress Ruth Draper
Ruth Draper
Ruth Draper was an American actress, dramatist and noted diseuse who specialized in character-driven monologues.-Early life and family:...
; her brother Paul was his father. Other relatives included Paul Draper
Paul Draper (dancer)
Paul Draper was a noted American tap dancer and choreographer. Born into an artistic, socially prominent New York family, the nephew of Ruth Draper was an innovator in the arts. Despite the pressure his family put on him to become an engineer, Paul’s love for dance persisted and ultimately won out...
, a noted dancer and actor and the society architect Paul Phipps, father of British actress Joyce Grenfell
Joyce Grenfell
Joyce Irene Grenfell, OBE was an English actress, comedienne, diseuse and singer-songwriter.-Early life:...
.