Roland Louis Ernest Burton AFC and Bar (known as Monty Burton) (18 May 1918 – 28 April 1999) was a British pilot who won the 1953 London to Christchurch air race.
Monty Burton | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Roland Louis Ernest Burton |
| Nickname(s) | Monty |
| Born | 18 May 1918 Forest Gate London |
| Died | 29 April 1999 (aged 80) France |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service | Royal Air Force |
| Years of service | 28.09.1937 –1958 |
| Rank | Squadron Leader |
| Service number | 50530 |
| Awards | Air Force Cross |
London to Christchurch air race
editFlight Lieutenant Burton became the first man[1] to fly from London to New Zealand in under 24 hours, when with his navigator Flight Lieutenant Don Gannon he won the 1953 London to Christchurch air race in a Canberra PR3 in 1953, winning the Britannia Trophy, now in the RAF Museum, Hendon.[2][3]
Family life
editBurton married Joan Evans (1942) and they had two daughters and a son. One of his daughters Jocelyn Burton became a successful silver and goldsmith. His son Michael Burton (1949–2011) was also a talented silversmith. Burton retired to France where he died on 29 April 1999.
References
edit- ^ "Straight & Level 11.12.1953". Flight Global. Retrieved 19 July 2011.
- ^ "Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation". R A F Records. Archived from the original on 12 August 2011. Retrieved 19 July 2011.
- ^ "British Military Aviation in 1953". Royal Air Force Museum. Retrieved 19 July 2011.