In memory of

Cadet Denis John Bygrave

A Slingsby T31 Kirby Cadet Mk.III glider (XA295)

Eaglescott Airfield

On 30th August, 1952, Cadet Denis John Bygrave, (143 Glider Squadron, Air Training Corps, RAF) lost his life when control was lost at the top of a winch launch, and his Slingsby T31 Kirby Cadet Mk.III glider dived into the ground.

He was only 16 years old.

Denis was the eldest child of Edward G Bygrave and Nellie (nee Davey) and had a sister, Joan, who was only six years old when he died. The family may have lived in Brighton.

Blue skies Denis..Rest in Peace.

Source:

Many thanks to Julie Starmer for her help researching the Bygrave family.

Photograph from here:

https://www.eaglescott-airfield.com/glider/

Rank

Cadet

Date of death

30/08/1952

Age at death

Author

Linda Duffield

Comments about this page

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I recall this sad accident. As an RAF Section CCF Cadet (Whitgift Middle School Croydon) I was at RAF Hawkinge that Summer on the Gliding A &B Course. Also living near Kenley in Old Lodge Lane it was very close to home’.
By Robin Chandler (12/03/2020)