Aviation pioneer and businessman Sir Thomas Sopwith once called this address home. This blue plaque at 46 Green Street commemorates his life. It marks where he lived from 1934 to 1940.
Sir Thomas Octave Murdoch Sopwith was born in Kensington in 1888. Tragedy struck early. When Thomas was just ten a shooting accident killed his father. Despite this hardship Sopwith pursued many interests.
He was an expert ice skater. He even won a gold medal at the European Championships in 1910. Sopwith also enjoyed motorcycles. He participated in the 100-mile Tricar trial in 1904.
His true passion was aviation. He took his first flight with Gustave Blondeau. Then he taught himself to fly. His first solo flight ended in a crash after 300 yards. But Sopwith persevered. He earned Royal Aero Club Aviation Certificate No. 31.
In 1910 Sopwith won the Baron de Forest Prize. He flew 169 miles from England to the Continent. He used the prize money to start the Sopwith School of Flying at Brooklands.
The Sopwith Aviation Company followed in 1912. It produced over 18000 aircraft for the Allied forces during World War I. The Sopwith Camel was one of their most famous planes. It downed 1294 enemy aircraft.
After the war Sopwith faced bankruptcy due to taxes. He started a new firm named after Harry Hawker. Sopwith became chairman of Hawker Aircraft.
Beyond aviation Sir Thomas Sopwith loved yachting. He challenged for the America’s Cup twice. He was inducted into the America’s Cup Hall of Fame in 1995.
Sir Thomas Sopwith was knighted in 1953. He continued working until 1980. He passed away in 1989 at the age of 101. Sir Thomas Sopwith’s legacy lives on. This blue plaque serves as a reminder of his contributions to aviation and industry. It marks a place where he lived and worked during a crucial period of his life.