On this day 30 May 1911

On this day 30 May 1911 RN officer pays for his own flying training

Lt Richard Bell Davies RN, at Hendon, gains Royal Aero Club certificate #90, flying a Farman Biplane. He had paid 50 Pounds of his own money to the Grahame-White Flying School for his training, plus a 25 Pound deposit against damage.

Lt Bell Davies would have a distinguished career in aviation. Squadron Commander Bell Davies was awarded the DSO on 23 January 1915 and the Victoria Cross on 19 November 1915. He was Liaison Officer for the Fleet Air Arm at the Air Ministry 1931–33 and was promoted to Rear Admiral in 1938. From 1939–41 he was Rear Admiral, Naval Air Stations, based at RNAS Lee-on-Solent (HMS Daedalus) after full control of the Fleet Air Arm was returned to the Admiralty.