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Vincent Waterfall was a young World War One pilot from Burgess Hill and, along with his observer Charles Bayly, was the first airman to be killed in action during World War One.

On 22 August 1914, just a few weeks after the outbreak of war, Vincent and Charles’ reconnaissance mission ended in tragedy when their aeroplane was shot down by enemy fire.

The loss of the Avro 504 aircraft was the Royal Flying Corps first combat loss in the Great War.

In Burgess Hill, Vincent’s name is inscribed on the town’s war memorial as a tribute to the dashing young pilot.

Location: Burgess Hill, West Sussex RH15 9AS
Image courtesy of Tessa Waterfall
Presented by Ellie Price