Mary Bailey (DBE)
Encyclopedia
The Hon. Dame Mary Bailey, née Westenra DBE
(1 December 1890 – 29 July 1960) was a British aviatrix.
The daughter of Derrick Warner William Westenra, 5th Baron Rossmore, of Rossmore Castle
, County Monaghan
and his wife, Mittie (née Naylor), Mary Westenra Bailey was known as one of the finest aviatrices of her time, who "personally guided a plane from England to the nether tip of South Africa and back" (Time
, 28 January 1930). In January 1930 she was made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire
(DBE) and was styled as Dame Mary Bailey.
She was awarded a pilot's licence in early 1927 and quickly started a sporting career. She became the first woman to fly across the Irish Sea
. On 5 July 1927 she set a world's height record of 17,283 ft (5268 m) in a light aircraft category, flying DH.60 Cirrus II Moth
.
Between 9 March and 30 March 1928, she made an 8,000 mile solo flight from Croydon
to Cape Town
, flying de Havilland Cirrus Moth
with an extra fuel tank, then she made 18,000 mile journey back between September 1928 and 16 January 1929. It was the longest solo flight and longest flight accomplished by a woman that far.
In 1927 and 1928 she twice won the Harmon Trophy
as the world's outstanding aviatrix. She also participated in two F.A.I International Tourist Plane Contests - Challenge International de Tourisme 1929, which she completed off the contest, and Challenge International de Tourisme 1930, in which she took 31st place for 60 participants, being one of only two women.
She gained the rank of Section Officer in the service of the Women's Auxiliary Air Force
, during World War II
.
on 5 September 1911, being his second wife, and they had five children:
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
(1 December 1890 – 29 July 1960) was a British aviatrix.
The daughter of Derrick Warner William Westenra, 5th Baron Rossmore, of Rossmore Castle
Rossmore Castle
Rossmore Castle also known as Rossmore Park was a castle in Monaghan in Ireland. It has been demolished now.-History:The building was a 19th century castle. Originally built by the 2nd Lord Rossmore in 1827 in the Gothic style, it was extended in 1858...
, County Monaghan
County Monaghan
County Monaghan is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Border Region and is also located in the province of Ulster. It is named after the town of Monaghan. Monaghan County Council is the local authority for the county...
and his wife, Mittie (née Naylor), Mary Westenra Bailey was known as one of the finest aviatrices of her time, who "personally guided a plane from England to the nether tip of South Africa and back" (Time
Time (magazine)
Time is an American news magazine. A European edition is published from London. Time Europe covers the Middle East, Africa and, since 2003, Latin America. An Asian edition is based in Hong Kong...
, 28 January 1930). In January 1930 she was made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
(DBE) and was styled as Dame Mary Bailey.
She was awarded a pilot's licence in early 1927 and quickly started a sporting career. She became the first woman to fly across the Irish Sea
Irish Sea
The Irish Sea separates the islands of Ireland and Great Britain. It is connected to the Celtic Sea in the south by St George's Channel, and to the Atlantic Ocean in the north by the North Channel. Anglesey is the largest island within the Irish Sea, followed by the Isle of Man...
. On 5 July 1927 she set a world's height record of 17,283 ft (5268 m) in a light aircraft category, flying DH.60 Cirrus II Moth
De Havilland DH.60 Moth
The de Havilland DH 60 Moth was a 1920s British two-seat touring and training aircraft that was developed into a series of aircraft by the de Havilland Aircraft Company.-Development:The DH 60 was developed from the larger DH 51 biplane...
.
Between 9 March and 30 March 1928, she made an 8,000 mile solo flight from Croydon
Croydon
Croydon is a town in South London, England, located within the London Borough of Croydon to which it gives its name. It is situated south of Charing Cross...
to Cape Town
Cape Town
Cape Town is the second-most populous city in South Africa, and the provincial capital and primate city of the Western Cape. As the seat of the National Parliament, it is also the legislative capital of the country. It forms part of the City of Cape Town metropolitan municipality...
, flying de Havilland Cirrus Moth
De Havilland DH.60 Moth
The de Havilland DH 60 Moth was a 1920s British two-seat touring and training aircraft that was developed into a series of aircraft by the de Havilland Aircraft Company.-Development:The DH 60 was developed from the larger DH 51 biplane...
with an extra fuel tank, then she made 18,000 mile journey back between September 1928 and 16 January 1929. It was the longest solo flight and longest flight accomplished by a woman that far.
In 1927 and 1928 she twice won the Harmon Trophy
Harmon Trophy
The Harmon Trophy is a set of three international trophies, to be awarded annually to the world's outstanding aviator, aviatrix , and aeronaut...
as the world's outstanding aviatrix. She also participated in two F.A.I International Tourist Plane Contests - Challenge International de Tourisme 1929, which she completed off the contest, and Challenge International de Tourisme 1930, in which she took 31st place for 60 participants, being one of only two women.
She gained the rank of Section Officer in the service of the Women's Auxiliary Air Force
Women's Auxiliary Air Force
The Women's Auxiliary Air Force , whose members were invariably referred to as Waafs , was the female auxiliary of the Royal Air Force during World War II, established in 1939. At its peak strength, in 1943, WAAF numbers exceeded 180,000, with over 2,000 women enlisting per week.A Women's Royal Air...
, during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
Family
She married Sir Abe BaileyAbe Bailey
Sir Abraham "Abe" Bailey, 1st Baronet, KCMG , was a South African diamond tycoon, politician, financier and cricketer.-Early years:...
on 5 September 1911, being his second wife, and they had five children:
- Mittie Mary Starr Bailey (born 1 August 1913 — died 10 April 1961)
- Sir Derrick Thomas Louis Bailey, 3rd BtDerrick BaileySir Derrick Thomas Louis Bailey, 3rd Baronet, DFC was the son of the South African entrepreneur Sir Abe Bailey and of the pioneer aviator Dame Mary Bailey, and won fame for himself as a decorated Second World War pilot, a cricketer and a businessman...
(born 15 August 1918 — died 19 June 2009) - Ann Hester Zia Bailey (born 15 August 1918)
- James Richard Abe BaileyJames R. A. BaileyJames R. A. Bailey DFC, known as Jim Bailey, , was World War II fighter pilot, poet - and influential newspaper owner.The son of randlord, Sir Abe Bailey and pioneer aviator Mary Bailey, he was educated at Winchester and Oxford and joined the Royal Air Force as a pilot in September 1939...
(born 23 October 1919 — died 29 February 2000) - Noreen Helen Rosemary Bailey (born 27 July 1921)