Squadron Leader Michael Rope began his career in the rail industry, undertaking several roles. He then joined the RNAS in WW1 and served at Kingsnorth airship station then later became a Technical Officer and eventually joined the R101 Technical Design team at Cardington. He wa,s according to many reports at the time, a very modest and extremely gifted individual. He played a major role in the R101 project and introduced many technical design innovations. He lived in Shortstown from 1926 – 1929.
Tragically, lost his life in the loss of the R101 on 5th October 1930.