MALCOLM CAMPBELL

Sir Malcolm Campbell (1885-1948) held land and water world speed records, and was the first person to travel at 300mph on land. His son Donald, also a speed record breaker, died in a crash on Coniston Water in 1967. Sir Malcolm’s grandson Don Wales, 61, a photographer and father of two who lives in Surrey, holds the world speed record for a steam-powered car.

‘In 2015, I drove my grandfather’s Sunbeam Blue Bird on Pendine Sands in Wales, where he got his first land speed record in 1924. I drove it at

50mph, wearing just a leather flying hat and goggles for protection in an open cockpit, as he had. I thought it wouldn’t have taken much to be flung up from the beach to knock me out. His record was 146.16mph that day, which showed his incredible bravery. And to think that a hat and goggles were his only protection when he went at 301mph in 1935 is quite unbelievable.

‘My grandfather had an extraordinary life, including involvement with the Special Operations Executive during the war. I believe at one stage he shared an office with Ian Fleming. I like to think that a little bit of James Bond was invented in that office. People say I look very like Malcolm, but I think that as a

child I more resembled his son Donald, my uncle, when he was young.

‘I never met my grandfather but I met Donald a few times and remember the day he died in 1967. I was just six and sitting at the breakfast table when my mother, Donald’s sister, got a phone call. She cried out, “Donald’s had an accident!” I didn’t understand, as I thought she was talking about me. Later in the day I remember seeing a newsflash about it on TV.

‘I got into speed record-breaking in my 30s. I still hold the world steam car one – just over 148mph – and would like to set an electric car record. I hope my uncle and grandfather would applaud me for having a go.’