Winifred Brown
Winifred Brown | |
---|---|
Born | Sale, Greater Manchester, England | 26 November 1899
Died | 30 July 1984 Hove, England | (aged 84)
Other names | Winifred Adams |
Occupation | Aviator |
Known for | Winning the King's Cup air race in 1930 |
Spouse | Ron Adams |
Partner | Einar Sverdrup |
Children | Tony Adams |
Winifred Sawley Brown (also known as Winifred Adams; 26 November 1899 – 30 July 1984) was an English sportswoman, aviator and author. She was the first woman to win the
Early life and career
Brown was born in 1899 in Cheshire. Her father was the director of a butcher firm.[1] She was expelled from school at the age of 14, after writing graffiti featuring the headteacher on a toilet wall.[1] She made her first flight in 1919, at Hooton Park Aerodrome,[1] and she later took up flying lessons with the Lancashire Aero Club at Woodford Aerodrome, from where she received her pilot's licence in 1927.[2] As the first female member of the Lancashire Aero Club,[3] she was not allowed to take part in club events that were defined for all-male participants.[2]
In 1927, she was photographed in her pilot's outfit by the Lafayette company.[4] One of these portraits, which was owned by Pinewood Studios, is in the National Portrait Gallery.[4] She competed in the Talbot O'Farrell Handicap at the Filton Aerodrome in May 1928.[2] Her father bought her an aircraft (an Avro Avian) for £500.[1]
King's Cup air race
In July 1929, Brown attended the
On 5 July 1930, the King's Cup air race was staged to start and finish at Hanworth, starting at 7:00 am, following a circular route of 753 miles (1,212 km) via
Later life
After flying, Brown went to South America where she explored the length of the River Amazon in a ship and canoe.[13][14]
In 1935, she moved from flying and exploring to sailing. This had been her father's interest; she bought a boat, and had it re-fitted by the original builders. She sailed together with Adams, and they set off for the Arctic, travelling to
From 1976, Brown lived on Seaway, a motor yacht bought by her son Tony, moving between Lymington and Brighton. Her King's Cup trophy was displayed in the aft cabin.[16]
Brown died in Fairlight Nursing Home in Hove on 30 July 1984,[4] following a series of strokes.[16]
Private life
Einar Sverdrup was described as the love of Brown's life.[17] He lost his life during the Second World War.[17]
Brown married Edwin R "Ron" Adams,[4] and her son Tony took his surname. Tony Adams became a successful actor.[17]
Brown was a sportswoman active in a variety of disciplines; she also golfed and played hockey and ice hockey for England.[17]
Brown's biography Winifred Brown Britain's Adventure Girl No.1 was written by Geoff Meggitt.[16][17]
References
- ^ a b c d "Brown, Winifred Sawley". afleetingpeace.org. Retrieved 17 July 2022.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Smith, Sally (4 February 2022). "How Winifred Brown pioneered women in aviation". KeyAero. Retrieved 19 July 2022.
- ^ a b c "Hanworth Air Park and the Aviatrices". Habitats & Heritage. 16 June 2020. Retrieved 19 July 2022.
- ^ a b c d "Winifred Sawley Brown (later Winifred Adams) - National Portrait Gallery". www.npg.org.uk. Retrieved 17 July 2022.
- ^ ISBN 0-370-00067-6.
- ^ Flight magazine, July 1930
- ^ a b Boughton, Terence (1963). The Story of the British Light Aeroplane. London: John Murray. pp. 174–179.
- ^ "King's Cup Winners - The '3Rs'". 5 February 2021. Archived from the original on 5 February 2021. Retrieved 17 July 2022.
- ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 18 July 2022.
- ^ Hooks, Mike (September–October 1972). "50 years of the King's Cup". Air-Britain Digest: 135–142.
- ISBN 978-1-4738-3847-5.
- ^ "Some Famous Air Trophies". wondersofworldaviation.com. Retrieved 26 July 2022.
- ^ ISBN 978-1-4729-3600-4.
- ISBN 978-0-9575549-5-5.
- ^ Pilot.), Winifred BROWN (Aircraft (1939). Duffers on the Deep. [Reminiscences of Yachting Off the Norwegian Coast. With Plates, Including Portraits.]. Peter Davies.
- ^ OCLC 859381462.
- ^ a b c d e "The life and times of pioneer Winifred Brown from Sale brought to life in new book". Great British Life. 5 June 2013. Retrieved 17 July 2022.