Edward Whitehead Reid

Edward Douglas Whitehead Reid (22 June 1883 – 20 October 1930) was a British general practitioner and surgeon who pioneered the use of private aircraft after the First World War.

[6] His first main posting was as senior surgeon at The Duchess of Westminster's Hospital, titled No.1 BRCS - British Red Cross Society Hospital at Le Touquet, France,[7] which operated from 30 October 1914 to July 1918 in a former casino fitted out for up to 250 patients, with an X-ray room.

[8] He was later assigned to the Egyptian Expeditionary Force as an RAF medical officer to a school of artillery observation[9] at Heliopolis.

[10] During his time in Egypt, Whitehead Reid started to persuade any flying instructors he could find to give him lessons, and he soon became very enthusiastic about the activity, developing into a very proficient pilot.

[9] Very unusually, and to the envy of many, the doctor employed a full-time mechanic to care for his aircraft, whom he credited for never having had to do a forced landing throughout his flying career.

After WWI, many SE5as were surplus to the RAF's requirements and were sold off straight from the factory for spares or scrapping, because official policy barred their sale as functioning aircraft.

The doctor used his aircraft for his own pleasure, but was happy to give joy rides, often supporting local charities in the process.

[13] He took part in some of the earliest post-war aerial events, particularly at the nearby Lympne Airport which was the centre of light aircraft activity in Britain at the time.

[14] Events in which he participated include: On 11 May 1926 Whitehead Reid joined 601 (County of London) Bomber (B) Squadron[26] which had been formed on 14 October 1925.

Equipped with the Airco DH.9 and, from November 1929, the Westland Wapiti they specialised in performing exercise bombing raids on London to test their own abilities and those of the defenders.

Whitehead Reid arrived in his Widgeon on 20 August 1930, leaving for Frankfurt the next day,[32] The doctor gained his 'A' certificate at the BGA Gliding Meeting at Ditchling Beacon, Sussex, held on 18–19 October 1930.

On the afternoon of 19 October 1930, Whitehead Reid was returning in his Westland Widgeon G-EBJT from Shoreham, where he had been attending the BGA meeting at Ditchling Beacon.

At East Sutton Park near Maidstone, he circled the mansion of Mrs Stanley Wilson, and found a field in which to land.

Miss Burnside was killed instantly, and the doctor rendered unconscious, seriously hurt with a fractured skull and other injuries.