Rare photographs of early aviation
TO commemorate the centenary of the RAF which was established on April 1,1918, Haworth Art Gallery is proud to tell the story of early aviation through some amazing rare photographs taken during World War One by William Geoffrey Chambers.
William obtained his pilot’s licence in October 1916. He then served with 49 Squadron, based in the Kent area as a photographic reconnaissance officer.
His collection of 80 large format negatives taken on service, plus an album of photographs, passed through the family to his nephew, Richard Chambers, who recognised their historic significance and arranged to have them restored and printed.
This extraordinary exhibition of early aviation photographs has been digitally restored and printed by Accrington Camera Club member John Barton and they depict the amazing history of early flight leading up to the formation of the Royal Air Force.
The exhibition on the ground floor of the gallery graphically shows the risk intrinsic to early flight: landing strips were often rough fields, the aircraft were string-bound wooden struts and canvas, and crashes were frequent.
Around 8,000 men were killed in training – more than in actual combat.
Now a captain in the recently-founded RAF, William Chambers took off at 07.50 hrs on May 15, 1918 from Conteville with his American observer, Lt. RJ Burky. Both were killed in action. They have no known grave.
Captain Chambers was 21.
The exhibition cases in the gallery rooms display various RAF objects from World War Two, which are on loan from Mr Ken Robinson and RAF veteran Mel Fitzgerald.
In addition to the photographs, on the first floor of the gallery is an exhibition of art works by members of Veterans in Communities (VIC), an East Lancashire-based armed forces charity that supports those who have served in any of the branches of the Armed Forces or emergency services in their return to civilian life.
Many of those who have taken part in the art classes at the VIC Centre started out with very basic arts and crafts skills which, over time, have progressed to the standard that can be seen in their exhibition on the first floor of the gallery.
In addition to arts and crafts, VIC offers a range of activities including walking, singing, horticulture and social trips. They also provide training opportunities, an outreach service in local areas, and help the local community with small projects.
The exhibition is on until Sunday, May 20 and the gallery is open from noon to 4.45pm Tuesday to Friday and noon to 4.15pm Saturday, Sunday. There is free entrance and parking.