Edwin Rowland Moon - pioneering aviator and real-life hero

Edwin was a charismatic character with an adventurous spirit and intrepid attitude that defined the way he lived life. This daring personality led to a long line of astonishing, courageous actions throughout Edwin's lifetime.

His encounters, adventures and the situations he found himself in sound more like those from an action movie or comic book than those of real life.

Born in Southampton on June 8, 1886,  he was educated at Cranleigh School in Surrey, but lived in Cranbury Avenue with his three siblings,

Throughout his military career, Edwin demonstrated unwavering commitment and resilience no matter where he served - be it in the air, on land, or at sea. His courage was acknowledged with numerous commendations, at one point garnering a recommendation for a Victoria Cross; however, this was never actually bestowed.

Having fought with the Royal Naval Air Service during the First World War, Squadron Leader Edward achieved much. He was captured by enemy forces and earned a Distinguished Service Order twice for his bravery.

The Moon family owned Moonbeam Engineering Company Limited, a successful boatbuilding business located at Wool House. They created and exported motor launches before going on to export wrought iron propellers and marine engines to various locations around the globe.

Edwin, possibly inspired by the 1903 Wright brothers' flight, took a corner of the workshop to realise his dream. The prospect of making an aircraft of his own design ignited a fire in the heart of Edmund.

The first plane, Moonbeam I, was prepared for testing in the Fawley vicinity, close to where his betrothed would eventually be living. An initial short journey occurred around Calshot as well as a field within Regents Park.

After these test flights on the inaugural aircraft, construction began on the second aeroplane - Moonbeam II.

In 1910, the first successful flight of a monoplane powered by a 20 horsepower engine and outfitted with a 6ft wooden propeller was made from North Stoneham farm. The exact date when the flight occurred is uncertain; however, investigators believe it happened sometime between April 12 and June 11. To get there, the plane was taken to the meadows belonging to North Stoneham farm via horse and cart.

In the year 1914, after successfully obtaining his aviator's certificate, Edwin took to the skies on a regular basis from both Stoneham and Beaulieu Heath, as well as Paultons Park.

At the outset of the First World War, Edwin decided to join the Royal Naval Air Service as a Flight Sub-Lieutenant. His military postings took him to East Africa and on January 6, 1917, he was sent out on a reconnaissance mission with Cdr Richard Bridgeman accompanying him as an observer.

Stranded due to engine failure, the two were forced to land in a creek of the Rufiji River delta. Taking caution, the pair destroyed their seaplane to prevent it from falling into enemy hands. For three days, while trying to evade capture, the duo wandered the delta and eventually managed to construct a raft out of parts from an old house window frame.

However, a tragic fate awaited Cdr Bridgeman. On the morning of January 9, the pair found themselves swept out to sea. Bridgeman, who was not a strong swimmer, died of exhaustion and exposure.

At first, it seemed Edwin's troubles were over when he was discovered and saved by natives. Unfortunately, this hope was short-lived as he was then delivered into the hands of the Germans who promptly placed him in a prisoner of war camp. He was released from captivity on November  21, 1917.

When he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order the citation read: “Since April 1916, Moon carried out constant flights over the enemy's coast, including reconnaissances, bomb-dropping and spotting for gunfire in all weathers. Has shown great coolness and resource on all occasions.’’ Edwin also received a bar to his DSO, for the display of “the greatest gallantry in attempting to save the life of his companion’’.

Moon was honoured with the Royal Humane Society's silver medal due to his heroic efforts to rescue Bridgeman and also presented with The Legion of Honour – Croix de Chevalier. Both were in addition to the DSO.

After the war, Moon was promoted to Squadron Leader in the newly formed Royal Air Force and placed in command of the flying boat station at Felixstowe. He carried out his duties with diligence and an eye for detail.

On August 11, 1919, Edwin survived a crash in a flying boat, which killed one of the crew.

The dramatic crash made the pages of the Southern Daily Echo.

But despite the dangerous near miss on the Paultons estate in Ower, Edwin emerged from his aeroplane Moonbeam, “apparently not even shaken and quite cool”.

The morning flight, the report said, was made in unfavourable conditions with a “strong gusty wind prevailing”.

Undeterred, Edwin decided to press on with his latest trial “as the machine had been brought from Southampton especially”.

The flight was the first to be made following several alterations to Moonbeam, including switching its aluminium propeller for a wooden one and increasing the craft’s wingspan.

After taking off on its second attempt, Moonbeam had travelled no more than 200 yards when “a sudden gust of wind, catching the machine sideways, tipped it over and made it swerve right round.

“The tail caught in the branches of a tree, and the aeroplane came heavily to the ground, seeming to pitch, right on the propeller, and standing for a few minutes right on end.”

After onlookers waited with bated breath they breathed a collective sigh of relief when Edwin emerged unscathed.

Business was to follow as usual with the report ending, “New wheels were put on, and the machine wheeled away. The repairs will not take long.”

In the following year, on April 29, Edwin was at the controls of a flying boat on an instructional flight when the aircraft crashed into the sea, killing a total of four crew members, including Edwin

He was survived by his wife Isabel Madeline Waldron and his seven-year-old daughter Mary.

Edwin's remains were returned to Southampton and interred in Old Cemetery on the Common. To commemorate him, his fellow comrades of 230 Squadron, Royal Air Force placed a piece of a propeller believed to be from his aircraft at his gravesite.