Granville Watts was another airship man who had lived in Shortstown. He was born in Worstead, Norfolk and was on the R100 flight to Canada. Unlike most of the R100 crew who had moved from Howden to Bedford in Dec 1929 records show Granville was already in Shortstown in 1927.
In his book ‘My Airship Flights’ 1915-1930 George Meager the Captain of the R100, marvels at the sheer bravery of Granville who was hoisted outside of the R100 mid-flight over 3000ft in below freezing temperatures to repair an outer engine. Shown right is the photo Captain Meager took of the incident.
We are indebted to another Granville Watts* – a great nephew of Granville who has sent in these photographs and the following information which clearly show just how experienced this man was.
“I had a look at the information I had about Granville. The following information is taken from a report of the inquest into his death and the transcript of the eulogy read at his funeral. He became associated with airships in 1916 and was engaged in the construction and flying with ships known as Zero’s SSE3, SST14 and others. He was employed as an engineer on the R32, R34, R80 and R33 and on the 23rd of November 1929 he became a member of the R100 crew and flew both ways across the Atlantic. Granville was a member of the R33’s breakaway crew and he was aboard the R34 when it crash landed at Howden.
He was engaged in the construction of the R101 but was not a member of its crew. He was invited but according to his brother Alec could not stand the heat in India. It is also mentioned that he was doubtful of her capabilities. His place on the ship was taken by a man who was saved”
Sadly, this brave man was killed in a motor cycle accident on Christmas Eve in 1930. In his career he had been part of some of the most dramatic events in airship history being attached to such historic ships as the R33, R34, R80 and R100.
*Thank you very much to Granville Watts for sending in this information and the photographs of his great uncle.