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{{Short description|British businessman}}
{{Refimprove|date=August 2011}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2021}}
[[Air Commodore]] '''Sir Egbert Cadbury''' [[Distinguished Service Cross (United Kingdom)|DSC]], [[Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)|DFC]] (1893&mdash;1967) was a [[First World War]] pilot who shot down two [[Zeppelin]]s over the [[North Sea]]: [[List of Zeppelins|L21]] on 28 November 1916, and [[List of Zeppelins|L70]] on 6 August 1918: the latter while flying a [[Airco DH.4|De Havilland DH.4]] with [[Robert Leckie (aviator)|Robert Leckie]] as Observer/Gunner.<ref>{{cite book | title=The influence of air power upon history | author=Walter J. Boyne | publisher=Pelican Publishing | year=2003 | isbn=1-58980-034-6 | page=107 }}</ref>
{{Infobox person
| honorific_prefix = '''[[Major (rank)|Major]] Sir'''
| honorific_suffix = '''{{post-nominals|country=GBR|DSC|DFC|JP|DL|sep=no}}'''
| name = Egbert Cadbury
| image = <!-- filename only, no "File:" or "Image:" prefix, and no enclosing [[brackets]] -->
| image_size = <!-- DISCOURAGED per WP:IMGSIZE. Use image_upright. -->
| alt =
| caption =
| birth_date = {{Birth date|df=yes|1893|4|20}}
| birth_place = [[Selly Oak]], [[Birmingham]], England
| death_date = {{Death date and age|df=yes|1967|1|12|1893|4|20}}
| death_place = [[Weston-super-Mare]], [[Somerset]], England
| education = [[Leighton Park School]]
| alma_mater = [[Trinity College, Cambridge]]
| occupation = Businessman
| years_active = 1919–1963
| era =
| employer =
| organization = [[Cadbury]]
| spouse = {{marriage|Mary Forbes Phillips|1917|1967}}
| children = [[Peter Cadbury]]<br/>Robin Cadbury
| mother = [[Elizabeth Cadbury]]
| father = [[George Cadbury]]
| relatives = [[John Cadbury]] (grandfather)
| family = [[Edward Cadbury]] <br>(half-brother)<br/>[[Marion Greeves]] (half-sister)
| awards =
| website = <!-- {{URL|example.com}} -->
| module = {{Infobox military person |embed=yes
| allegiance = United Kingdom
| branch = Royal Navy<br/>Royal Air Force
| serviceyears = 1914–1919
| rank = [[Major (United Kingdom)|Major]]
| servicenumber = <!-- Do not use data from primary sources such as service records -->
| battles = [[World War I]]
| awards = [[Distinguished Service Cross (United Kingdom)|Distinguished Service Cross]]<br/>[[Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)|Distinguished Flying Cross]]
}}
| module2 =
| signature =
| signature_size =
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}}
Major (Honorary [[Air Commodore]]) '''Sir Egbert''' "'''Bertie'''" '''Cadbury''' {{post-nominals|country=GBR|DSC|DFC|JP|DL|sep=yes}} (20 April 1893 – 12 January 1967) was a British businessman, a member of the [[Cadbury family]], who as a [[First World War]] pilot shot down two [[Zeppelin]]s over the [[North Sea]]: ''[[LZ 61 (L 21)|L.21]]'' on 28 November 1916, and ''[[Zeppelin LZ 112|L.70]]'' on 6 August 1918: the latter while flying a [[Airco DH.4|De Havilland DH.4]] with [[Robert Leckie (RCAF officer)|Robert Leckie]] as observer/gunner.<ref>{{cite book |title=The influence of air power upon history |url=https://archive.org/details/influenceofairpo0000boyn |url-access=registration |first=Walter J. |last=Boyne |publisher=Pelican Publishing |year=2003 |isbn=1-58980-034-6 |page=[https://archive.org/details/influenceofairpo0000boyn/page/107 107]}}</ref>


==Early life and background==
The son of [[George Cadbury]] and [[Elizabeth Cadbury|Dame Elizabeth Cadbury]] he was educated at [[Leighton Park School]] and [[Trinity College, Cambridge]]. He went on to become managing director of [[Cadbury Schweppes|Cadbury Brothers Ltd]], the predecessor of [[Cadbury Schweppes]].
Egbert Cadbury was born in [[Selly Oak]], [[Birmingham]], the youngest son of [[George Cadbury]] and his second wife [[Elizabeth Cadbury]], and the grandson of [[John Cadbury|John]], the founder the [[Cadbury|family business]]. A year after he was born the family moved to a new home, [[Northfield Manor House]], in [[Northfield, Birmingham]]. He was educated at [[Leighton Park School]] in [[Reading, Berkshire|Reading]], then went to [[Trinity College, Cambridge]] to study economics.<ref name="AMukherjee">{{cite web |url=http://www.cricketcountry.com/articles/sir-egbert-bertie-cadbury-undistinguished-cricketer-fighter-pilot-managing-director-at-cadburys-522897 |first=Abhishek |last=Mukherjee |title=Sir Egbert 'Bertie' Cadbury, undistinguished cricketer, fighter pilot, Managing Director at Cadbury's |date=13 September 2016 |work=Cricket Country |accessdate=23 November 2016}}</ref>


==First World War==
After the First World War Cadbury Brothers Ltd undertook a financial merger with [[J. S. Fry & Sons]] and Egbert Cadbury joined the Fry side of the business. Along with [[Cecil Roderick Fry]] he was instrumental in the relocation and of the [[Bristol]] operations of Fry from Union Street to [[Somerdale Factory|Somerdale Garden City]]. This transfer took eleven years and production was gradually transferred as the modern blocks were erected. It was finally completed in 1935. At its height the Somerdale workforce was in excess of 5,000. Sir Egbert retired from Cadbury in 1963 and died in 1967.
The Cadburys were [[Quakers]], and thus [[Peace Testimony|pacifists]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p02b2fr1 |title=Cadbury World, Birmingham: Family at War |work=World War One at Home |publisher=BBC |date=6 November 2014 |accessdate=23 November 2016}}</ref> but on the outbreak of the war, Cadbury left Cambridge and volunteered to join the Royal Navy, serving as a seaman aboard the HMY ''Zarifa'', a yacht converted to an armed patrol vessel, manned mainly by Cambridge graduates, while his older brother Laurence joined the [[Friends' Ambulance Unit]].<ref name="AMukherjee"/> Cadbury was eventually commissioned into the [[Royal Naval Air Service]]<ref name="Flight415">{{cite journal |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1916/1916%20-%201086.html |title=Items |issue=415 |volume=VIII |page=1078 |journal=Flight |date=7 December 1916 |accessdate=23 November 2016}}</ref> as a probationary flight sub-lieutenant, being confirmed in his rank on 31 May 1915.<ref>{{London Gazette |date=10 August 1915 |issue=29258 |page=7895 |nolink=yes}}</ref> He was granted [[Royal Aero Club]] Aviators' Certificate No. 1343 on 19 June, after soloing a [[Grahame-White Type XV|Grahame-White Biplane]] at the [[Grahame-White]] Flying School at [[Hendon Aerodrome|Hendon]].<ref>{{cite journal |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1915/1915%20-%200555.html |title=From The British Flying Grounds |issue=344 |volume=VII |page=555 |journal=Flight |date=30 July 1915 |accessdate=23 November 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1915/1915%20-%200474.html |title=Aviators' Certificates |issue=340 |volume=VII |page=474 |journal=Flight |date=2 July 1915 |accessdate=23 November 2016}}</ref> Cadbury was posted to the [[Naval Air Station]] at South Denes, [[Great Yarmouth]], [[Norfolk]], where one of his [[ground crew]] was [[Henry Allingham]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/5857249/Henry-Allingham-haunted-by-the-Great-War.html |title=Henry Allingham: haunted by the Great War |date=18 July 2009 |newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |accessdate=23 November 2016}}</ref>


Cadbury first saw action on 9/10 August 1915, flying a Sopwith aircraft against four Zeppelins with no success. He later complained in a letter to his brother Laurence that the Sopwith gave him "cold feet". In September, Cadbury expressed his regret at "the murder of war", having lost several close friends in the squadron. In a letter of May 1916, he wrote that he was "sick of the war", expressing his distaste for the Government who "are not being able to use their brains". He also believed that an aircraft would never shoot down a Zeppelin "unless it catches it unawares".<ref name="AMukherjee"/>
His eldest son [[Peter Cadbury]] was a successful businessman, setting up [[Westward Television]] in [[England]].

On 30 June 1916, he was promoted to flight lieutenant.<ref>{{London Gazette |date=28 July 1916 |issue=29687 |page=7481 |nolink=yes}}</ref>

On 27 November 1916, ten Zeppelins set out in two groups, heading for the Midlands and the North of England. One, the ''[[LZ 61 (L 21)|L.21]]'', crossed the English coast at [[Atwick]] at 21:20, and then turned north to evade patrolling aircraft before heading to [[Leeds]], where it was driven off by heavy anti-aircraft fire. An effective [[Blackout (wartime)|blackout]] shielded [[Barnsley]] from attack, so the airship headed southwest to [[the Potteries]] where it dropped a number of bombs on industrial targets in Stoke, causing some damage, but no casualties. At 01:30, it headed for home, setting a course towards Great Yarmouth. It was spotted by two RNAS aircraft north of [[Peterborough]], but managed to evade them. Over [[East Dereham]], it was spotted by Flight Lieutenant W. R. Gaynor, who was forced to abort his attack after suffering engine failure. However, reports of the ''L.21''{{'}}s movements had reached Great Yarmouth, so at dawn Cadbury and Flight Sub Lieutenant Gerard W. R. Fane took off in their [[Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2|B.E.2c]] fighters to intercept. They were joined by Flight Sub Lieutenant Edward L. Pulling from [[RAF Bacton|RNAS Bacton]]. Cadbury later reported:<ref name="PHandford">{{cite web |url=http://www.birminghammedalsociety.com/uploads/1/1/9/7/11975097/bms_meeting_3_july_2014_final.pdf |title=The story of Egbert 'Bertie' Cadbury and his remarkable achievement during WWI |first=Paul |last=Handford |work=Birmingham Medal Society |date=3 July 2014 |accessdate=23 November 2016 |archive-date=23 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161123201535/http://www.birminghammedalsociety.com/uploads/1/1/9/7/11975097/bms_meeting_3_july_2014_final.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>
<blockquote>
I saw the Zeppelin approaching the coast and immediately chased after it. It was flying about 5,000 feet when I first saw it and it immediately climbed to 8,000 feet. I went after it. I approached from the stern about 3,000 feet below and fired four drums of explosive ammunition in to its stern, which immediately started to light. At the same time one of the other pilots was flying over the Zeppelin and to his horror he saw a man in the machine-gun pit run to the other side and leap overboard. Having seen the Zeppelin circle down to the sea in a blazing mass – a most horrible sight – I went back to Yarmouth. I could not say I felt very elated or pleased at this; somehow I was overawed at the spectacle of this Zeppelin and all the people aboard going down into the sea.<ref name="PHandford"/>
</blockquote>

On 5 December 1916, the three men were decorated for their action, with Pulling being awarded the [[Distinguished Service Order]], while Cadbury and Fane received the [[Distinguished Service Cross (United Kingdom)|Distinguished Service Cross]].<ref>{{London Gazette |date=5 December 1916 |issue=29848 |page=11842 |nolink=yes}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fengatesroad.com/chap05.htm |first1=Andrew |last1=Lewis |first2=Sarah |last2=Lewis |title=Edward Laston Pulling: Fengates Hero |work=fengatesroad.com |year=2000 |accessdate=23 November 2016}}</ref> Later that month, Cadbury became engaged to Mary Forbes Phillips, the daughter of the Reverend A. Forbes Phillips, the vicar of [[Gorleston]].<ref name="Flight418">{{cite journal |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1916/1916%20-%201177.html |title=Married and to be Married |issue=418 |volume=VIII |page=1149 |journal=Flight |date=28 December 1916 |accessdate=23 November 2016}}</ref> They were married by Reverend Phillips at Gorleston on 12 February 1917,<ref>{{cite journal |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1917/1917%20-%200167.html |title=Married and to be Married |issue=425 |volume=IX |page=167 |journal=Flight |date=15 February 1917 |accessdate=23 November 2016}}</ref> and would go on to have two sons.<ref name="AMukherjee"/>

On 29 June 1917, Cadbury was promoted to flight commander.<ref>{{London Gazette |date=29 June 1917 |issue=30156 |page=6414 |nolink=yes}}</ref> On 1 April 1918, the Royal Naval Air Service was merged with the Army's Royal Flying Corps to form the [[Royal Air Force]], and the same day, Cadbury was appointed a squadron commander with the acting rank of major.<ref>{{London Gazette |date=2 July 1918 |issue=30776 |page=7771 |nolink=yes}}</ref>

On the evening of 5 August 1918, Cadbury again engaged Zeppelins. Earlier that afternoon, the ''L.70'' took off from [[Friedrichshafen]] with four other airships. They headed for the east coast of England, timing their flight to arrive off the coast just after dark. The commander of ''L.70'' was ''[[Fregattenkapitän]]'' [[Peter Strasser]], the ''Führer der Luftschiffe'' ("Leader of Airships", the commander of all Naval airships). However, the airship squadron was spotted out at sea by the Lenman Tail lightship, which signalled their course and position to the Admiralty. Cadbury was attending a charity concert at which his wife was performing when an RAF orderly found him. Cadbury drove back to the airfield, where he was informed that three Zeppelins had been reported about {{convert|50|mi|km}} to the north-east, and knowing there was only one aircraft available, an [[Airco DH.4]], he grabbed his flying kit and ran for it, beating a rival pilot to the cockpit by a split-second. With Captain [[Robert Leckie (RCAF officer)|Robert Leckie]] in the rear gunner's seat, Cadbury climbed up to over {{convert|16000|ft|m}} by jettisoning his reserve fuel and some small bombs, where he saw three Zeppelins ahead and above him. He later recounted:<ref name="PHandford"/>
<blockquote>
At 22.20 we had climbed to 16,400 feet and I attacked the Zeppelin ahead slightly to the port so as to clear any obstruction that might be suspended from the airship. It was a most fascinating sight – awe inspiring – to see this enormous Zeppelin blotting the whole sky above one. The tracers ignited the escaping gas, the flames spreading rapidly and turning the airship into a fireball in less than a minute. The ''L.70'' dived headlong into the clouds. It was one of the most terrifying sights I have ever seen to see this huge machine hurtling down with all those crew on board.<ref name="PHandford"/>
</blockquote>

Cadbury and Leckie and another pilot, Lieutenant Ralph Edmund Keys, then attacked and damaged another Zeppelin, which promptly turned and headed for home. The Commodore of [[Lowestoft]] recommended Cadbury for a [[Victoria Cross]] for attacking two airships {{convert|30|to|40|mi|km}} out to sea in a landplane in such bad weather.<ref name="PHandford"/> All three instead received the [[Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)|Distinguished Flying Cross]].<ref>{{London Gazette |date=20 September 1918 |supp=y |issue=30913 |page=11256 |nolink=yes}}</ref> Cadbury wrote to his father the next day: "You will have heard probably before this reaches you that my lucky star has again been in the ascendant, and that another Zeppelin has gone to destruction, sent there by a perfectly peaceful live-and-let-live citizen, who has no lust for blood or fearful war spirit in his veins."<ref name="PHandford"/>

==Post-war career==
After the war, Cadbury was transferred to the RAF's unemployed list on 15 April 1919.<ref>{{London Gazette |date=3 June 1919 |issue=31380 |page=7071 |nolink=yes}}</ref> He returned to the family business, joining [[J. S. Fry & Sons]], with which Cadbury's had merged in 1918,<ref name="AMukherjee"/> and soon becoming managing director.<ref name="PHandford"/> Along with [[Cecil Roderick Fry]], he was instrumental in relocating Fry's manufacturing operations from Bristol to [[Somerdale Factory|Somerdale Garden City]]. At its height, the Somerdale workforce numbered over 5,000.<ref name="AMukherjee"/>

Apart from his work for Fry's, Cadbury had many other interests. He served as a [[justice of the peace]] and was chairman of the Bristol Federation of Boys' Clubs for 20 years.<ref name="BBCGrave">{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/west_midlands/8355219.stm |title=Cadbury 'would turn in his grave' |work=BBC News |date=12 November 2009 |accessdate=23 November 2016}}</ref> On 29 August 1939, Cadbury was appointed honorary air commodore of No. 928 (County of Gloucester) Squadron, a [[Barrage balloon|Balloon Barrage]] Squadron of the [[Auxiliary Air Force]].<ref>{{London Gazette |date=29 August 1939 |issue=34660 |page=5930 |nolink=yes}}</ref> In 1944, he was appointed a Director of [[Lloyds Bank]].<ref name="AMukherjee"/> On 12 December 1948, he became honorary air commodore of No. 3507 (County of Somerset) Fighter Control Unit,<ref>{{London Gazette |date=17 December 1948 |supp=y |issue=38483 |page=6611 |nolink=yes}}</ref> relinquishing his role in No. 928 Squadron after its disbandment on 22 November 1949.<ref>{{London Gazette |date=29 November 1949 |supp=y |issue=38771 |page=5665 |nolink=yes}}</ref> On 30 June 1950 he was appointed a [[Deputy Lieutenant]] of the [[County of Gloucester]].<ref>{{London Gazette |date=7 July 1950 |issue=38963 |page=3512 |nolink=yes}}</ref> He relinquished his appointment to No. 3507 FCU on 11 December 1953, but retained the rank of honorary air commodore.<ref>{{London Gazette |date=29 January 1954 |supp=y |issue=40088 |page=706 |nolink=yes}}</ref> Cadbury was awarded a [[Knight Bachelor|knighthood]] in the [[1957 New Year Honours|1957 New Years Honours List]] for his "public services in Somerset and Gloucestershire",<ref>{{London Gazette |date=28 December 1956 |supp=y |issue=40960 |page=1 |nolink=yes}}</ref> receiving his [[accolade]] from the Queen at Buckingham Palace on 12 February.<ref>{{London Gazette |date=15 February 1957 |issue=41003 |page=1044 |nolink=yes}}</ref>

Sir Egbert retired as vice–chairman of Cadburys in 1962, and died of cancer<ref name="BBCGrave"/> at his home at Weston-super-Mare in 1967.<ref name="AMukherjee"/><ref name="PHandford"/>

==Memorials==
In October 2013, the shooting down of the ''L.70'' was commemorated with a [[blue plaque]] fixed to Cadbury's lodgings in Kimberly Terrace, now part of the Carlton Hotel.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.edp24.co.uk/news/blue_plaque_marks_cadbury_heir_s_fight_against_zeppelins_1_2900393 |title=Blue plaque marks Cadbury heir's fight against Zeppelins |first=Liz |last=Coates |date=17 October 2013 |newspaper=Eastern Daily Press |accessdate=23 November 2016 |archive-date=23 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161123140421/http://www.edp24.co.uk/news/blue_plaque_marks_cadbury_heir_s_fight_against_zeppelins_1_2900393 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fleetairarmoa.org/news/plaque-to-commemorate-shooting-down-zeppelins-by-faa-aircrew |title=Plaque to commemorate shooting down Zeppelins by FAA aircrew |date=27 November 2013 |work=Fleet Air Arm Officers Association |accessdate=23 November 2016}}</ref> In August 2014 a painting depicting the destruction of the ''L.70'' was acquired by the [[Time and Tide Museum]] at Great Yarmouth.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.greatyarmouthmercury.co.uk/news/dramatic_zeppelin_attack_captured_on_canvas_becomes_new_star_attraction_at_great_yarmouth_museum_1_3733590 |title=Dramatic Zeppelin attack captured on canvas becomes new star attraction at Great Yarmouth museum |first=Lucy |last=Clapham |date=20 August 2014 |newspaper=Great Yarmouth Mercury |accessdate=23 November 2016 |archive-date=23 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161123201352/http://www.greatyarmouthmercury.co.uk/news/dramatic_zeppelin_attack_captured_on_canvas_becomes_new_star_attraction_at_great_yarmouth_museum_1_3733590 |url-status=dead }}</ref>


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist|30em}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2011}}
==External links==
* {{IMDb name|8369175}}
* {{cite AV media |people=Salmon, Douglas (Producer) |year=1972 |title=World War I Zeppelin raids over East Anglia |medium=TV documentary |url=http://www.eafa.org.uk/catalogue/39 |publisher=[[BBC East]] |via=The East Anglian Film Archive |access-date=23 November 2016 |archive-date=23 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161123201903/http://www.eafa.org.uk/catalogue/39 |url-status=dead }}
* {{cite web |url=http://www.npg.org.uk/collections/search/person/mp51586/egbert-cadbury |title=Egbert Cadbury (1893–1967) |work=[[National Portrait Gallery, London|National Portrait Gallery]]}}


{{Persondata <!-- Metadata: see [[Wikipedia:Persondata]]. -->
| NAME = Cadbury, Egbert
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
| SHORT DESCRIPTION =
| DATE OF BIRTH = 1893
| PLACE OF BIRTH =
| DATE OF DEATH = 1967
| PLACE OF DEATH =
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Cadbury, Egbert}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Cadbury, Egbert}}
[[Category:1893 births]]
[[Category:1893 births]]
[[Category:1967 deaths]]
[[Category:1967 deaths]]
[[Category:Military personnel from Birmingham, West Midlands]]
[[Category:Businesspeople from Birmingham, West Midlands]]
[[Category:People educated at Leighton Park School]]
[[Category:People educated at Leighton Park School]]
[[Category:Alumni of Trinity College, Cambridge]]
[[Category:Alumni of Trinity College, Cambridge]]
[[Category:Cadbury]]
[[Category:Royal Navy sailors]]
[[Category:Royal Naval Air Service aviators]]
[[Category:Royal Naval Air Service personnel of World War I]]
[[Category:Royal Air Force personnel of World War I]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Distinguished Service Cross (United Kingdom)]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)]]
[[Category:Honorary air commodores]]
[[Category:Deputy Lieutenants of Gloucestershire]]
[[Category:English justices of the peace]]
[[Category:Knights Bachelor]]
[[Category:Cadbury family|Egbert]]
[[Category:Businesspeople in confectionery]]
[[Category:Businesspeople in confectionery]]
[[Category:20th-century English businesspeople]]

[[ja:エグバート・キャドバリー]]

Latest revision as of 01:01, 28 February 2024

Major Sir
Egbert Cadbury
DSC, DFC, JP, DL
Born(1893-04-20)20 April 1893
Selly Oak, Birmingham, England
Died12 January 1967(1967-01-12) (aged 73)
Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, England
BildungLeighton Park School
Alma materTrinity College, Cambridge
OccupationBusinessman
Years active1919–1963
OrganizationCadbury
Spouse
Mary Forbes Phillips
​
​
(m. 1917⁠–⁠1967)​
ChildrenPeter Cadbury
Robin Cadbury
Parents
RelativesJohn Cadbury (grandfather)
FamilyEdward Cadbury
(half-brother)
Marion Greeves (half-sister)
Military career
AllegianceVereinigtes Königreich
Service/branchRoyal Navy
Royal Air Force
Years of service1914–1919
RankMajor
Battles/warsWorld War I
AwardsDistinguished Service Cross
Distinguished Flying Cross

Major (Honorary Air Commodore) Sir Egbert "Bertie" Cadbury DSC, DFC, JP, DL (20 April 1893 – 12 January 1967) was a British businessman, a member of the Cadbury family, who as a First World War pilot shot down two Zeppelins over the North Sea: L.21 on 28 November 1916, and L.70 on 6 August 1918: the latter while flying a De Havilland DH.4 with Robert Leckie as observer/gunner.[1]

Early life and background

[edit]

Egbert Cadbury was born in Selly Oak, Birmingham, the youngest son of George Cadbury and his second wife Elizabeth Cadbury, and the grandson of John, the founder the family business. A year after he was born the family moved to a new home, Northfield Manor House, in Northfield, Birmingham. He was educated at Leighton Park School in Reading, then went to Trinity College, Cambridge to study economics.[2]

First World War

[edit]

The Cadburys were Quakers, and thus pacifists,[3] but on the outbreak of the war, Cadbury left Cambridge and volunteered to join the Royal Navy, serving as a seaman aboard the HMY Zarifa, a yacht converted to an armed patrol vessel, manned mainly by Cambridge graduates, while his older brother Laurence joined the Friends' Ambulance Unit.[2] Cadbury was eventually commissioned into the Royal Naval Air Service[4] as a probationary flight sub-lieutenant, being confirmed in his rank on 31 May 1915.[5] He was granted Royal Aero Club Aviators' Certificate No. 1343 on 19 June, after soloing a Grahame-White Biplane at the Grahame-White Flying School at Hendon.[6][7] Cadbury was posted to the Naval Air Station at South Denes, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, where one of his ground crew was Henry Allingham.[8]

Cadbury first saw action on 9/10 August 1915, flying a Sopwith aircraft against four Zeppelins with no success. He later complained in a letter to his brother Laurence that the Sopwith gave him "cold feet". In September, Cadbury expressed his regret at "the murder of war", having lost several close friends in the squadron. In a letter of May 1916, he wrote that he was "sick of the war", expressing his distaste for the Government who "are not being able to use their brains". He also believed that an aircraft would never shoot down a Zeppelin "unless it catches it unawares".[2]

On 30 June 1916, he was promoted to flight lieutenant.[9]

On 27 November 1916, ten Zeppelins set out in two groups, heading for the Midlands and the North of England. One, the L.21, crossed the English coast at Atwick at 21:20, and then turned north to evade patrolling aircraft before heading to Leeds, where it was driven off by heavy anti-aircraft fire. An effective blackout shielded Barnsley from attack, so the airship headed southwest to the Potteries where it dropped a number of bombs on industrial targets in Stoke, causing some damage, but no casualties. At 01:30, it headed for home, setting a course towards Great Yarmouth. It was spotted by two RNAS aircraft north of Peterborough, but managed to evade them. Over East Dereham, it was spotted by Flight Lieutenant W. R. Gaynor, who was forced to abort his attack after suffering engine failure. However, reports of the L.21's movements had reached Great Yarmouth, so at dawn Cadbury and Flight Sub Lieutenant Gerard W. R. Fane took off in their B.E.2c fighters to intercept. They were joined by Flight Sub Lieutenant Edward L. Pulling from RNAS Bacton. Cadbury later reported:[10]

I saw the Zeppelin approaching the coast and immediately chased after it. It was flying about 5,000 feet when I first saw it and it immediately climbed to 8,000 feet. I went after it. I approached from the stern about 3,000 feet below and fired four drums of explosive ammunition in to its stern, which immediately started to light. At the same time one of the other pilots was flying over the Zeppelin and to his horror he saw a man in the machine-gun pit run to the other side and leap overboard. Having seen the Zeppelin circle down to the sea in a blazing mass – a most horrible sight – I went back to Yarmouth. I could not say I felt very elated or pleased at this; somehow I was overawed at the spectacle of this Zeppelin and all the people aboard going down into the sea.[10]

On 5 December 1916, the three men were decorated for their action, with Pulling being awarded the Distinguished Service Order, while Cadbury and Fane received the Distinguished Service Cross.[11][12] Later that month, Cadbury became engaged to Mary Forbes Phillips, the daughter of the Reverend A. Forbes Phillips, the vicar of Gorleston.[13] They were married by Reverend Phillips at Gorleston on 12 February 1917,[14] and would go on to have two sons.[2]

On 29 June 1917, Cadbury was promoted to flight commander.[15] On 1 April 1918, the Royal Naval Air Service was merged with the Army's Royal Flying Corps to form the Royal Air Force, and the same day, Cadbury was appointed a squadron commander with the acting rank of major.[16]

On the evening of 5 August 1918, Cadbury again engaged Zeppelins. Earlier that afternoon, the L.70 took off from Friedrichshafen with four other airships. They headed for the east coast of England, timing their flight to arrive off the coast just after dark. The commander of L.70 was Fregattenkapitän Peter Strasser, the Führer der Luftschiffe ("Leader of Airships", the commander of all Naval airships). However, the airship squadron was spotted out at sea by the Lenman Tail lightship, which signalled their course and position to the Admiralty. Cadbury was attending a charity concert at which his wife was performing when an RAF orderly found him. Cadbury drove back to the airfield, where he was informed that three Zeppelins had been reported about 50 miles (80 km) to the north-east, and knowing there was only one aircraft available, an Airco DH.4, he grabbed his flying kit and ran for it, beating a rival pilot to the cockpit by a split-second. With Captain Robert Leckie in the rear gunner's seat, Cadbury climbed up to over 16,000 feet (4,900 m) by jettisoning his reserve fuel and some small bombs, where he saw three Zeppelins ahead and above him. He later recounted:[10]

At 22.20 we had climbed to 16,400 feet and I attacked the Zeppelin ahead slightly to the port so as to clear any obstruction that might be suspended from the airship. It was a most fascinating sight – awe inspiring – to see this enormous Zeppelin blotting the whole sky above one. The tracers ignited the escaping gas, the flames spreading rapidly and turning the airship into a fireball in less than a minute. The L.70 dived headlong into the clouds. It was one of the most terrifying sights I have ever seen to see this huge machine hurtling down with all those crew on board.[10]

Cadbury and Leckie and another pilot, Lieutenant Ralph Edmund Keys, then attacked and damaged another Zeppelin, which promptly turned and headed for home. The Commodore of Lowestoft recommended Cadbury for a Victoria Cross for attacking two airships 30 to 40 miles (48 to 64 km) out to sea in a landplane in such bad weather.[10] All three instead received the Distinguished Flying Cross.[17] Cadbury wrote to his father the next day: "You will have heard probably before this reaches you that my lucky star has again been in the ascendant, and that another Zeppelin has gone to destruction, sent there by a perfectly peaceful live-and-let-live citizen, who has no lust for blood or fearful war spirit in his veins."[10]

Post-war career

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After the war, Cadbury was transferred to the RAF's unemployed list on 15 April 1919.[18] He returned to the family business, joining J. S. Fry & Sons, with which Cadbury's had merged in 1918,[2] and soon becoming managing director.[10] Along with Cecil Roderick Fry, he was instrumental in relocating Fry's manufacturing operations from Bristol to Somerdale Garden City. At its height, the Somerdale workforce numbered over 5,000.[2]

Apart from his work for Fry's, Cadbury had many other interests. He served as a justice of the peace and was chairman of the Bristol Federation of Boys' Clubs for 20 years.[19] On 29 August 1939, Cadbury was appointed honorary air commodore of No. 928 (County of Gloucester) Squadron, a Balloon Barrage Squadron of the Auxiliary Air Force.[20] In 1944, he was appointed a Director of Lloyds Bank.[2] On 12 December 1948, he became honorary air commodore of No. 3507 (County of Somerset) Fighter Control Unit,[21] relinquishing his role in No. 928 Squadron after its disbandment on 22 November 1949.[22] On 30 June 1950 he was appointed a Deputy Lieutenant of the County of Gloucester.[23] He relinquished his appointment to No. 3507 FCU on 11 December 1953, but retained the rank of honorary air commodore.[24] Cadbury was awarded a knighthood in the 1957 New Years Honours List for his "public services in Somerset and Gloucestershire",[25] receiving his accolade from the Queen at Buckingham Palace on 12 February.[26]

Sir Egbert retired as vice–chairman of Cadburys in 1962, and died of cancer[19] at his home at Weston-super-Mare in 1967.[2][10]

Memorials

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In October 2013, the shooting down of the L.70 was commemorated with a blue plaque fixed to Cadbury's lodgings in Kimberly Terrace, now part of the Carlton Hotel.[27][28] In August 2014 a painting depicting the destruction of the L.70 was acquired by the Time and Tide Museum at Great Yarmouth.[29]

References

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  1. ^ Boyne, Walter J. (2003). The influence of air power upon history. Pelican Publishing. p. 107. ISBN 1-58980-034-6.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h Mukherjee, Abhishek (13 September 2016). "Sir Egbert 'Bertie' Cadbury, undistinguished cricketer, fighter pilot, Managing Director at Cadbury's". Cricket Country. Retrieved 23 November 2016.
  3. ^ "Cadbury World, Birmingham: Family at War". World War One at Home. BBC. 6 November 2014. Retrieved 23 November 2016.
  4. ^ "Items". Flight. VIII (415): 1078. 7 December 1916. Retrieved 23 November 2016.
  5. ^ "No. 29258". The London Gazette. 10 August 1915. p. 7895.
  6. ^ "From The British Flying Grounds". Flight. VII (344): 555. 30 July 1915. Retrieved 23 November 2016.
  7. ^ "Aviators' Certificates". Flight. VII (340): 474. 2 July 1915. Retrieved 23 November 2016.
  8. ^ "Henry Allingham: haunted by the Great War". The Daily Telegraph. 18 July 2009. Retrieved 23 November 2016.
  9. ^ "No. 29687". The London Gazette. 28 July 1916. p. 7481.
  10. ^ a b c d e f g h Handford, Paul (3 July 2014). "The story of Egbert 'Bertie' Cadbury and his remarkable achievement during WWI" (PDF). Birmingham Medal Society. Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 November 2016. Retrieved 23 November 2016.
  11. ^ "No. 29848". The London Gazette. 5 December 1916. p. 11842.
  12. ^ Lewis, Andrew; Lewis, Sarah (2000). "Edward Laston Pulling: Fengates Hero". fengatesroad.com. Retrieved 23 November 2016.
  13. ^ "Married and to be Married". Flight. VIII (418): 1149. 28 December 1916. Retrieved 23 November 2016.
  14. ^ "Married and to be Married". Flight. IX (425): 167. 15 February 1917. Retrieved 23 November 2016.
  15. ^ "No. 30156". The London Gazette. 29 June 1917. p. 6414.
  16. ^ "No. 30776". The London Gazette. 2 July 1918. p. 7771.
  17. ^ "No. 30913". The London Gazette (Supplement). 20 September 1918. p. 11256.
  18. ^ "No. 31380". The London Gazette. 3 June 1919. p. 7071.
  19. ^ a b "Cadbury 'would turn in his grave'". BBC News. 12 November 2009. Retrieved 23 November 2016.
  20. ^ "No. 34660". The London Gazette. 29 August 1939. p. 5930.
  21. ^ "No. 38483". The London Gazette (Supplement). 17 December 1948. p. 6611.
  22. ^ "No. 38771". The London Gazette (Supplement). 29 November 1949. p. 5665.
  23. ^ "No. 38963". The London Gazette. 7 July 1950. p. 3512.
  24. ^ "No. 40088". The London Gazette (Supplement). 29 January 1954. p. 706.
  25. ^ "No. 40960". The London Gazette (Supplement). 28 December 1956. p. 1.
  26. ^ "No. 41003". The London Gazette. 15 February 1957. p. 1044.
  27. ^ Coates, Liz (17 October 2013). "Blue plaque marks Cadbury heir's fight against Zeppelins". Eastern Daily Press. Archived from the original on 23 November 2016. Retrieved 23 November 2016.
  28. ^ "Plaque to commemorate shooting down Zeppelins by FAA aircrew". Fleet Air Arm Officers Association. 27 November 2013. Retrieved 23 November 2016.
  29. ^ Clapham, Lucy (20 August 2014). "Dramatic Zeppelin attack captured on canvas becomes new star attraction at Great Yarmouth museum". Great Yarmouth Mercury. Archived from the original on 23 November 2016. Retrieved 23 November 2016.
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