Clara takes to the skies

Clara G., a Year 11 pupil at St Mary’s School has taken to the skies as a Gliding Cadet. Budding historians at the school uncovered a striking similarity between Clara’s ambitions to become a pilot and the story of an inspirational alumna who attended the school over 100 years ago.

After a gliding day trip with her scout troop in the summer, Clara was inspired to apply to become a Gliding Cadet. As part of the scheme, cadets receive free lessons in return for carrying out a range of gliding-related duties, such as helping to move gliders to launch points and attaching gliders to winch launches and aerotows. She successfully became a Gliding Cadet last year and has since undertaken several flights in a dual control glider. Clara aims to complete all the necessary skills to become a solo glider, and eventually hopes to become a commercial airline pilot or a pilot in the RAF.

The school’s history club, the “Time Travellers”, delved into the school archives as part of the school’s 120th anniversary last year. In examining the school’s log book from 1901-1927, they researched the history of some of the alumnae mentioned within it, and uncovered the fascinating history of a pioneering old girl.

Imelda Trafford, who was Head Girl at St Mary’s, became a driver in the Royal Flying Corps in 1917. She worked as a driver in Boulogne, France, during the war, and then worked in Cologne after the war. After she was demobilised in 1920, she took up flying and was one of the first women ever to be awarded an aviator’s certificate.  Sadly, just a few months after this she was involved in a tragic accident that resulted in her death. Her flying instructor said: “She was the best student I had of 300,”and a member of the central Aircraft company “marvelled at her skill and daring with her stunts”, which included spiral nose-dives and loop-the-loops.