The Royal Aeronautical Society has a history of 100 years. I can look back over a membership of more than half that time, since I was made a Fellow in 1911.

My start in the aeronautical world began in 1910. I was appointed Engineer in charge of Design at Farn-borough by its chief, Mervyn O'Gorman. He was a far-sighted and inspiring man, under whom it was a pleasure to work. The War Office had lost faith in aeroplanes and our work was to be confined to lighter-than-air craft. Sam Hiscocks was the able chief draughtsman of a very small drawing office with whose help we managed to make three airships. The latest was called the Delta, and had a speed of 45 miles an hour. This may seem absurdly slow but it was faster than many aeroplanes flying at the time. The Delta was eventually taken over by the Naval Air Service and was used for submarine spotting during the First World War.