Held at:

Private Collection

Reference:

LD_rs_0006

Source:

Original photographs

Title:

Digital Images Collection: Photographs of Michaelchurch Court in the 1930s

Place name:

Michaelchurch Escley

Date:

1930 - 1940

Description:

During the 1930s Randolph Trafford pursued his interests in fast cars and aircraft, and led a hectic social life as part of what today might be called the ‘jet set’. He flew to air shows and events around the UK and Europe, and returned the hospitality at Michaelchurch Court where the guests included a number of influential Germans some of whom later became leading figures in the Luftwaffe.

 

The photographs shown below are from this period

 

Randolph Trafford in the porch at Michaelchurch Court

 

Michaelchurch Court restored Tudor facade after demolition of the old North Wing c. 1932

Randolph Trafford feeding his rare birds at Michaelchurch Court

 

Randolph Trafford feeding his rare birds at Michaelchurch Court

Building a swimming pool 1932

 

Building a swimming pool 1932

Building a swimming pool 1932

 

The new swimming pool 1932

The Swimming Pool at Michaelchurch Court

 

A swimming party at Michaelchurch Court

Swimming at Michaelchurch Court

 

Michaelchurch Court: Swimming Party

Randolph Trafford and his mother at Michaelchurch Court

 

 

Randolph Trafford in his Morane Saulnier

 

Randolph Trafford’s Morane Saulnier No. 184

Randolph Trafford in his Morane Saulnier

 

Randolph Trafford in his Morane Saulnier

Randolph Trafford’s Morane Saulnier No. 184

 

Randolph Trafford in his Morane Saulnier

Randolph Trafford’s Morane Saulnier No. 184

 

Randolph Trafford and his Gypsy Moth G-ABAM at Michaelchurch aerodrome

Randolph Trafford at Michaelchurch aerodrome with Michael Hunter senior and junior

 

Randolph Trafford at Michaelchurch aerodrome with Michael Hunter senior and junior

Randolph Trafford and his Gypsy Moth G-ABAM at Michaelchurch aerodrome

 

Randolph Trafford and his Gypsy Moth G-ABAM at Michaelchurch aerodrome

Randolph Trafford and his Gypsy Moth G-ABAM at Michaelchurch aerodrome

 

Randolph Trafford and guests on the aerodrome at the Michaelchurch Air Show

Randolph Trafford and guest on the aerodrome at the Michaelchurch Air Show

 

Randolph Trafford and his mother

Randolph Trafford and guests on the aerodrome at the Michaelchurch Air Show

 

Randolph Trafford and guests on the aerodrome at the Michaelchurch Air Show

Cover design for invitations to the Michaelchurch air show, showing Michaelchurch Court

 

Photograph of Randolph Trafford, possibly taken from an identity card c.1940

Randolph Trafford’s de Havilland Gipsy Moth aircraft in flight over Michaelchurch.

 

Refuelling Randolph Trafford’s Gipsy Moth at Turnastone about 1930

Randolph Trafford [sitting on engine]

Hedley Wilding [passing up petrol cans]

Raymond Wilding [carrying cans]

Refuelling Randolph Trafford’s Gipsy Moth at Turnastone about 1930

Randolph Trafford [sitting on engine]

Hedley Wilding [by propeller]

Arthur Wood [Whitehouse]

Mrs Dide

 

Refuelling Randolph Trafford’s Gipsy Moth at Turnastone about 1930

Randolph Trafford [pouring in petrol]

Arthur Wood [Whitehouse, at the side]

Hedley Wilding [back to the camera]

 

Observations:

Photographs reproduced with the kind permission of the Baxendale family

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