Vernon Creek joins us again with more tales from the RAF Museum (last September he talked to us on the subject of 'Observation Balloons on the Western Front').
Just over a decade separated the world's first sustained, powered flight, made by Orville Wright on 17 December 1903, and the outbreak of the First World War. It was during the years 1914-1918 that the importance of military aviation was firmly established. Early flying is surrounded by myths and legends which often obscure the reality of First World War aviation: the Red Baron, the “knights of the air”, “sticks and string” aircraft and so on. Of course, what exactly is “reality”? The men and women caught up in the First World War all had individual, different experiences. Personal accounts from the RAF Museum’s Archives, from letters, diaries and memoirs, convey some of the experiences of these men and women.
Vernon has spent most of his career working in national museums, all with either military or naval collections, including the National Maritime Museum, the National Army Museum, and the Royal Air Force Museum.
As a Learning Officer at the RAF Museum’s London site, Vernon helps to manage and deliver the Museum’s educational programme for formal learners, together with informal activities for families, groups and individuals. Vernon also leads guided tours for tourists or special interest groups, and lectures to clubs, societies and adult groups. He also presents an air power lecture to RAF recruits of officer or junior ranks and manages the Museum’s educational Handling Collection.
