Victor Goddard was a young navy cadet in 1910, but by 1915 was a fully trained airship pilot. He served on several non-rigid airships during the war and later served on airships HMA 23r, HMA 24r and then was an advisor on both the R34 and R80 airships.
Originally intended to be Captain of R36, Goddard was unable to assume his duty owing to a car accident. His friend, Carmichael Irwin, was designated as Captain instead. Goddard recovered enough to be able to participate in later R36 flights.
He later went on to have a distinguished career in the RAF, becoming an Air Marshall and receiving a knighthood in 1947.