Bleriot XI near Methley.

The 1911 Daily Mail Circuit of Britain begun on 22nd July 1911 and flew a course around Britain, beginning at Brooklands. From Brooklands the aeroplanes were to land at Hendon. Two days later on 24th July 1911 they headed north with Harrogate Stray being the next official landing stop but only a few of the thirty who entered would make it this far. The aeroplanes then were to head as far north as Stirling before heading back south down the western side of England eventually to Bristol, Salisbury and Brighton to finish at Brooklands. Only two pilots completed the course all the way to Bristol with two others making it to Brighton. Four of the aeroplanes force landed and were damaged in Yorkshire on their flights towards or at Harrogate on 24th, one suffered repairable mechanical damage twice over Yorkshire and another was damaged taking off from Harrogate on 25th August 1911. The eventual winner of the race made a precautionary landing near Settle on the flight south on 25th August 1911 but was undamaged and took off a short time later.

This aeroplane set out from Brooklands to fly to Hendon on 22nd July 1911 but owing to engine trouble had to land at Hounslow Heath where a repair was made and the flight was resumed. The aeroplane reached Hendon without further incident but in last place and three hours later than that of the first to arrive. The landing order from the first leg was the order the aeroplanes then set out on 24th July 1911 beginning at 04.00hrs. This aeroplane reached the Wakefield area having refuelled en-route, probably at Melton Mowbray where others landed for that purpose. Over the Wakefield area an engine cylinder blew off the engine and fell away. The pilot had little choice but to force land the aeroplane and could only find a cornfield in the Methley area. Repairs to the aeroplane were attempted but were not complete by the time the pilot retired from the race.

Pilot - Lt Reginald Archibald Cammell. Royal Engineers.

Reginald Cammell was born in Inverness on 10th January 1886 and was awarded his Aero Club pilot's licence following training on 31st December 1910 at Lark Hill, Salisbury Plain but was killed on 17th September 1911 at Hendon.