Roundhay, Leeds: A Fatal Test Flight

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William Ding was a test pilot during the 1910s, working for a Blackburn aeroplane manufacturer based in Roundhay. Ding was the childhood hero of Leeds resident Eric Suddell who used to rush off to Soldiers Field in Roundhay after his tea each evening to watch Ding fly his White Falcon. Eric’s grandson, Matt Ridley, said “My grandfather would say “Oh take me up Mr Ding” and Ding would reply “I will when you’re a bit older”. However on 17 May 1917, Ding flew his plane for the last time. Eric and a crowd of 1,000 spectators saw him loop the loop and then witnessed the wing come off and then down he came. He tragically crashed to his death in woodland in Oakwood. The wing landed in the grounds of a house which is now Oakwood Hall. Location: Roundhay, Leeds, Yorkshire LS8 2PF Image of William Ding Photograph courtesy of his grandson, Julian Ding Presented by BBC Reporter, Matthew Ridley