大象传媒

William Ding was a test pilot during the 1910s, working for a Blackburn aeroplane manufacturer based in Roundhay. Ding was the childhood hero of Leeds resident Eric Suddell who used to rush off to Soldiers Field in Roundhay after his tea each evening to watch Ding fly his White Falcon.

Eric鈥檚 grandson, Matt Ridley, said 鈥淢y grandfather would say 鈥淥h take me up Mr Ding鈥� and Ding would reply 鈥淚 will when you鈥檙e a bit older鈥�.

However on 17 May 1917, Ding flew his plane for the last time. Eric and a crowd of 1,000 spectators saw him loop the loop and then witnessed the wing come off and then down he came. He tragically crashed to his death in woodland in Oakwood. The wing landed in the grounds of a house which is now Oakwood Hall.

Location: Roundhay, Leeds, Yorkshire LS8 2PF
Image of William Ding
Photograph courtesy of his grandson, Julian Ding
Presented by 大象传媒 Reporter, Matthew Ridley