William Lindsay Everard
Encyclopedia
Sir William Lindsay Everard (13 March 1891 – 11 March 1949) was a brewer, politician, and philanthropist from Leicestershire
, United Kingdom
. As the founder and supporter of the Ratcliffe Aerodrome, Sir Lindsay was a pioneer aviator, knighted for his crucial efforts in World War II
with the Air Transport Auxiliary
(ATA). He controlled Everards
Brewery for nearly 25 years and was a Member of Parliament
.
. He had become President of the Leicester
Aeroclub in 1928, purchasing the club a de Havilland Gipsy Moth in 1929. Named "The Quorn", the club used Carts Field at Desford
. A large air show brought 30,000 spectators to the site. Sir Lindsay purchased a de Havilland Puss Moth
that he named "The Leicestershire", and sold in July 1932. He also favored the Percival Gull Four P.1.B Mk. IIa.
Ratcliffe Aerodrome opened with a 'Grand Air Pageant' on 6 September 1930. Famed aviator Amy Johnson
made an unexpected trip from London to participate with Sir Sefton Brancker
, Director of Civil Aviation. Some 5000 spectators were treated to a show with 100 planes and staged bombings of Chinese pirates. There was one crash, but no one was killed. Ratcliffe Aerodrome was one of the finest in civil aviation with a comfortable clubhouse and an outdoor pool. The hangars were first class and the many air shows and displays had the atmosphere of a garden party.
Sir Lindsay was not a pilot himself, but hired personal pilots to travel throughout the world and participate in air racing events. He owned a de Havilland Dragon
, an 8-seat aircraft, with which they won the Oasis Trophy in Cairo. With pilot Lt. Com. Phillips he won the Grosvenor Cup Air Race. Among his personal pilots was Winifred Spooner
, a celebrated woman aviator. Sir Lindsay was supportive of every aspect of aviation, including gliders. He was the first president of the Model Aero Club. His airmail postage stamp collection was sold by H.R. Harmer of London on 19 and 20 October 1953 in 530 lots.
The County Flying Club was formed at Ratcliffe and in 1938 moved to a field at Rearsby
on land owned by Sir Lindsay. Another member of the County Flying Club, Alexander Lance Wykes, was the Managing Director of Crowthers Limited, a Thurmaston
company, that manufactured textile machinery. In 1938, Wykes negotiated a license agreement with American manufacturer Taylorcraft to build a light airplane in England. It was designated the Taylorcraft "Plus C" model and the first one built was brought by road to Sir Lindsay's Aerodrome where it made its maiden flight on 3 May 1939. This aircraft became an important part of the war effort in World War II and a production order of 100 aircraft designated the Taylorcraft-Auster Mk 1 was placed in 1942. The Auster
continued to be an important and popular plane long after the war.
With the onset of World War II, civil flying was suspended on 31 August 1939. Ratcliffe Aerodrome had a central location that made it an important field for the ATA, a network of civilian pilots that ferried new aircraft from the factories and those that needed repair. Ratcliffe Aerodrome was ferry pool no. 6 of the original 14 started in 1942. The Aerodrome grew larger during the war, adding new facilities. Some 50,000 ferrry flights passed through this ideal staging ground.
When the ATA was disbanded, the event was commemorated by an air show on 6 October 1945 that included Geoffrey de Havilland
. Sir Lindsay was knighted during the war for services to aviation and commerce. The Leicester Aeroclub reformed in 1947 and drew a crowd of 10,000 for an event in 1949. Sir Lindsay died that year and his estate was sold to non-flyers. Ratcliffe Aerodrome closed on 25 March 1950. It fell into disrepair with some of the buildings being used as barns for the surrounding farms.
when Sir Lindsay was in control. His son Tony Everard ran the business from 1949 to 1988 and saw the business move back to Leicester.
Sir Lindsay was elected High Sheriff of Leicestershire
in 1924. That same year (and in 1929, 1931, and 1935) Sir Lindsay was elected the Member of Parliament for Melton
as a Conservative. In 1924 he also played a first-class cricket match for Leicestershire
.
Sir Everard offered wide support to the community of Leicestershire. His contributions of land and resources to the nascent civil flying clubs in the area are detailed above. In 1927, Sir Lindsay acquired Ulverscroft Priory
, a mid-13th century Augustinian house, preserving the decaying ruins from total destruction. In 1930, Sir Lindsay built Bradgate Hall to replace the wooden restaurant used for village events.
, Leicester and attended Harrow school
and Trinity College Cambridge.
He resided in Ratcliffe Hall in Ratcliffe on the Wreake
. Sir Lindsay married Cornelia Ione Kathleen Beresford-Armstrong, Lady Everard, daughter of Captain Marcus Beresford-Armstrong. Their children included Patrick Anthony William Beresford Everard and Bettyne Ione, and granddaughter Lady Denyne Butler.& Katherine Elizabeth Everard Bell Sir Lindsay died on 11 March 1949 in Torquay
, Devon
.
Leicestershire
Leicestershire is a landlocked county in the English Midlands. It takes its name from the heavily populated City of Leicester, traditionally its administrative centre, although the City of Leicester unitary authority is today administered separately from the rest of Leicestershire...
, United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. As the founder and supporter of the Ratcliffe Aerodrome, Sir Lindsay was a pioneer aviator, knighted for his crucial efforts in World War II
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...
with the Air Transport Auxiliary
Air Transport Auxiliary
The Air Transport Auxiliary was a British World War II civilian organisation that ferried new, repaired and damaged military aircraft between UK factories, assembly plants, transatlantic delivery points, Maintenance Units , scrap yards, and active service squadrons and airfields—but not to...
(ATA). He controlled Everards
Everards
Everards is an independent British regional brewery founded in Leicester in 1849 by William Everard and Thomas Hull.It produces cask ales and owns over 160 tenanted pubs, mainly around the Leicestershire area and has won 'The Publican Pub Company of the Year Award' three times.The company is one...
Brewery for nearly 25 years and was a Member of Parliament
Member of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
.
Pioneer Aviator
Wartime aviation has changed the course of history and Sir Lindsay Everard is an important contributor to its development. In 1930, Sir Lindsay opened Ratcliffe Aerodrome on 45 acres (182,108.7 m²) near his estate and Ratcliffe CollegeRatcliffe College
Ratcliffe College is an independent Catholic boarding and day school in Leicestershire, England. The College, situated in of parkland on the Fosse Way about six miles north of Leicester, was founded on the instructions of Blessed Father Antonio Rosmini-Serbati in 1845 as a seminary. In 1847, the...
. He had become President of the Leicester
Leicester
Leicester is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands of England, and the county town of Leicestershire. The city lies on the River Soar and at the edge of the National Forest...
Aeroclub in 1928, purchasing the club a de Havilland Gipsy Moth in 1929. Named "The Quorn", the club used Carts Field at Desford
Desford
Desford is a village and civil parish in the North West Leicestershire district, west of the centre of Leicester. The parish includes the hamlets of Botcheston and Newtown Unthank and a scattered settlement at Lindridge.-Manors:...
. A large air show brought 30,000 spectators to the site. Sir Lindsay purchased a de Havilland Puss Moth
De Havilland Puss Moth
|-See also:-References:* Jackson, A.J. British Civil Aircraft since 1919 . London, Putnam, 1974. ISBN 0-370-10010-7-External links:*...
that he named "The Leicestershire", and sold in July 1932. He also favored the Percival Gull Four P.1.B Mk. IIa.
Ratcliffe Aerodrome opened with a 'Grand Air Pageant' on 6 September 1930. Famed aviator Amy Johnson
Amy Johnson
Amy Johnson CBE, was a pioneering English aviator. Flying solo or with her husband, Jim Mollison, Johnson set numerous long-distance records during the 1930s...
made an unexpected trip from London to participate with Sir Sefton Brancker
Sefton Brancker
Air Vice-Marshal Sir William Sefton Brancker KCB AFC , commonly known as Sir Sefton Brancker, was a pioneer in British civil and military aviation.-Early life:...
, Director of Civil Aviation. Some 5000 spectators were treated to a show with 100 planes and staged bombings of Chinese pirates. There was one crash, but no one was killed. Ratcliffe Aerodrome was one of the finest in civil aviation with a comfortable clubhouse and an outdoor pool. The hangars were first class and the many air shows and displays had the atmosphere of a garden party.
Sir Lindsay was not a pilot himself, but hired personal pilots to travel throughout the world and participate in air racing events. He owned a de Havilland Dragon
De Havilland Dragon
|-See also:-References:Bibliography ISBN 0-85177-813-5...
, an 8-seat aircraft, with which they won the Oasis Trophy in Cairo. With pilot Lt. Com. Phillips he won the Grosvenor Cup Air Race. Among his personal pilots was Winifred Spooner
Winifred Spooner
Winifred Evelyn Spooner was an English aviatrix of the 1920s and 1930s, and the winner of the Harmon Trophy as the world's outstanding aviatrix of 1929. She died aged 33 from pneumonia....
, a celebrated woman aviator. Sir Lindsay was supportive of every aspect of aviation, including gliders. He was the first president of the Model Aero Club. His airmail postage stamp collection was sold by H.R. Harmer of London on 19 and 20 October 1953 in 530 lots.
The County Flying Club was formed at Ratcliffe and in 1938 moved to a field at Rearsby
Rearsby
Rearsby is a village and civil parish in the Charnwood district of Leicestershire, England. The parish has a population of about 1,000. It is on the A607 road between Leicester and Melton Mowbray, and is just south of the River Wreake. Nearby places are East Goscote, Thrussington and Rotherby...
on land owned by Sir Lindsay. Another member of the County Flying Club, Alexander Lance Wykes, was the Managing Director of Crowthers Limited, a Thurmaston
Thurmaston
Thurmaston is a village and civil parish within the Charnwood borough of Leicestershire, England. As of the 2001 census its population was 8,945...
company, that manufactured textile machinery. In 1938, Wykes negotiated a license agreement with American manufacturer Taylorcraft to build a light airplane in England. It was designated the Taylorcraft "Plus C" model and the first one built was brought by road to Sir Lindsay's Aerodrome where it made its maiden flight on 3 May 1939. This aircraft became an important part of the war effort in World War II and a production order of 100 aircraft designated the Taylorcraft-Auster Mk 1 was placed in 1942. The Auster
Auster
Auster Aircraft Limited was a British aircraft manufacturer from 1938 to 1961.-History:The company began in 1938 at the Britannia Works, Thurmaston near Leicester, England, as Taylorcraft Aeroplanes Limited, making light observation aircraft designed by the Taylorcraft Aircraft Corporation of...
continued to be an important and popular plane long after the war.
With the onset of World War II, civil flying was suspended on 31 August 1939. Ratcliffe Aerodrome had a central location that made it an important field for the ATA, a network of civilian pilots that ferried new aircraft from the factories and those that needed repair. Ratcliffe Aerodrome was ferry pool no. 6 of the original 14 started in 1942. The Aerodrome grew larger during the war, adding new facilities. Some 50,000 ferrry flights passed through this ideal staging ground.
When the ATA was disbanded, the event was commemorated by an air show on 6 October 1945 that included Geoffrey de Havilland
Geoffrey de Havilland
Captain Sir Geoffrey de Havilland, OM, CBE, AFC, RDI, FRAeS, was a British aviation pioneer and aircraft engineer...
. Sir Lindsay was knighted during the war for services to aviation and commerce. The Leicester Aeroclub reformed in 1947 and drew a crowd of 10,000 for an event in 1949. Sir Lindsay died that year and his estate was sold to non-flyers. Ratcliffe Aerodrome closed on 25 March 1950. It fell into disrepair with some of the buildings being used as barns for the surrounding farms.
Career and Philanthropy
Sir Lindsay took over the business of Everards Brewery in 1925 and remained in that position until his death in 1949. Everards was founded in 1849 by William Everard, was managed by his son Thomas, and then Sir Lindsay. The brewery specializes in ales and has more than 150 pubs around Leicestershire. The brewery was in Burton upon TrentBurton upon Trent
Burton upon Trent, also known as Burton-on-Trent or simply Burton, is a town straddling the River Trent in the east of Staffordshire, England. Its associated adjective is "Burtonian"....
when Sir Lindsay was in control. His son Tony Everard ran the business from 1949 to 1988 and saw the business move back to Leicester.
Sir Lindsay was elected High Sheriff of Leicestershire
High Sheriff of Leicestershire
This is a list of High Sheriffs of Leicestershire. The High Sheriff is the oldest secular office under the Crown. Formerly the High Sheriff was the principal law enforcement officer in the county but over the centuries most of the responsibilities associated with the post have been transferred...
in 1924. That same year (and in 1929, 1931, and 1935) Sir Lindsay was elected the Member of Parliament for Melton
Melton (UK Parliament constituency)
Melton was a county constituency centred on the town of Melton Mowbray in Leicestershire. It returned one Member of Parliament to the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom....
as a Conservative. In 1924 he also played a first-class cricket match for Leicestershire
Leicestershire County Cricket Club
Leicestershire County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh national cricket structure, representing the historic county of Leicestershire. It has also been representative of the county of Rutland....
.
Sir Everard offered wide support to the community of Leicestershire. His contributions of land and resources to the nascent civil flying clubs in the area are detailed above. In 1927, Sir Lindsay acquired Ulverscroft Priory
Ulverscroft Priory
Ulverscroft Priory was founded by Robert de Bossu, Earl of Leicester in 1134 as a priory for eremites of the Order of St Augustine. It was closely connected with the Lords Ferrars of Groby. The last Prior was Geoffrey Whalley. On the suppression of the Priory in 1539, Whalley was granted a pension...
, a mid-13th century Augustinian house, preserving the decaying ruins from total destruction. In 1930, Sir Lindsay built Bradgate Hall to replace the wooden restaurant used for village events.
Personal
Sir William Lindsay Everard was born on 13 March 1891 in KnightonKnighton
Knighton may mean:* Knighton, Powys a market town on the English/Welsh border**Knighton railway station serving the above town**Knighton Town F.C., its football club* Knighton, Leicestershire, a suburb of Leicester, England* In Staffordshire:...
, Leicester and attended Harrow school
Harrow School
Harrow School, commonly known simply as "Harrow", is an English independent school for boys situated in the town of Harrow, in north-west London.. The school is of worldwide renown. There is some evidence that there has been a school on the site since 1243 but the Harrow School we know today was...
and Trinity College Cambridge.
He resided in Ratcliffe Hall in Ratcliffe on the Wreake
Ratcliffe on the Wreake
Ratcliffe on the Wreake is a village and civil parish in the Charnwood district of Leicestershire, England. It is just to the north of the River Wreake, opposite East Goscote....
. Sir Lindsay married Cornelia Ione Kathleen Beresford-Armstrong, Lady Everard, daughter of Captain Marcus Beresford-Armstrong. Their children included Patrick Anthony William Beresford Everard and Bettyne Ione, and granddaughter Lady Denyne Butler.& Katherine Elizabeth Everard Bell Sir Lindsay died on 11 March 1949 in Torquay
Torquay
Torquay is a town in the unitary authority area of Torbay and ceremonial county of Devon, England. It lies south of Exeter along the A380 on the north of Torbay, north-east of Plymouth and adjoins the neighbouring town of Paignton on the west of the bay. Torquay’s population of 63,998 during the...
, Devon
Devon
Devon is a large county in southwestern England. The county is sometimes referred to as Devonshire, although the term is rarely used inside the county itself as the county has never been officially "shired", it often indicates a traditional or historical context.The county shares borders with...
.
Sources
- Ratcliffe Aerodrome History at Ratcliffe College.
- Leicestershire Aero Club
- Everards Brewery
- The Story of the Air Transport Auxiliary. E.C. Cheeseman.
- The Forgotten Pilots. Lettice Curtis.
- Aviation in Leicestershire and Rutland. Roy Bonser.