Rolls100 – Commemorating 100 years of the death of Rt. Hon. Charles S. Rolls

Following his meeting with the Wrights brothers, Rolls became eager to learn to fly and to buy one their now-famous planes, which was difficult because of patents that were being discussed with Britain. When the Wright brothers did, eventually, come to Britain in May 1909 to discuss the building of their machines with the government and businessmen, Rolls accompanied them and their sister, Katherine, throughout their three day stay and even drove Orville Wright to the Aero Club at Leysdown on the Isle of Sheppey in a Rolls Royce Silver Ghost.  During the journey he expressed his desire to Orville of learning to fly and orville Wright suggested that Rolls do as the brothers had done and learn to fly by first training on a glider.  Rolls immediately ordered a glider from Shorts brothers, who had constructed the first aircraft factory in Britain at land adjacent to the Aero Club at Leysdown..

The Aero Club headquarters Leysdown 4th May 1909

Left to Right (Back Row)
JDF Andrews owner of leysdown, Oswald Short, Horace Short, Eustace Short, Francis McClean, Griffith Brewer, Frank Butler, WJS Lockyer, Warwick Wright

Left to Right (Front Row)
JTC Moore-Brabazon, Wilbur Wright, Orville Wright Hon. Charles Rolls

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