Date:	Saturday 18 July 1931
Time:	morning
Type:	de Havilland DH.60 Moth
Owner/operator:	Philip Ernest Noble
Registration:	G-EBYK
MSN:	825
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 2 / Occupants: 2
Aircraft damage:	Destroyed
Location:	Cross Lanes Farm, Arborfield Cross, near Wokingham, Berkshire -   United Kingdom
Phase:	En route
Nature:	Private
Departure airport:	Heston Aerodrome, Heston, Middlesex
Destination airport:	Upavon, Wiltshire

Narrative:
c/no. 825 DH.60G Moth [Gipsy I #46, amended to #37, then to #190]: Registered as G-EBYK [C of R 1653] 6.28 to The de Havilland Aircraft Co Ltd, Stag Lane, Edgware, Middlesex. C of A 1516 issued 18.7.28. Flown in Kings Cup Air Race 21.7.28 (Race Number "6") by Capt. Hubert Broad (finished 4th). Entered in International Light Aeroplane Trials, Paris 9-21.9.28 and flown by Capt. Broad (came 2nd). Re-registered [C of R 2356] 12.29 to Brooklands School of Flying Ltd, Brooklands, Weybridge, Surrey. Re-registered [C of R 2378] 1.30 to Mrs Violet Baring, London W8 (aircraft based at Heston Aerodrome, Heston, Middlesex). Flown on European tour 4.30; piloted by Capt. Valentine Baker of Airwork Ltd. Re-registered [C of R 3223] 1.6.31 to Philip Ernest Noble, London SW1 (aircraft still based at Heston).

Written off (destroyed) 18.7.31 when crashed at Cross Lanes Farm, Arborfield Cross, near Wokingham, Berkshire. According to a contemporary local newspaper report (Reading Mercury 19 July 1931):

"FATAL AIR CRASH NEAR READING
Two Lives Lost at Arborfield: Machine’s Dive
FLIGHT TO WEEK-END PARTY
Expert Aviators Instantly Killed: Propeller and Engine Buried

A shocking air tragedy – one of the worst known in Berkshire – startled the inhabitants of Arborfield on Saturday afternoon when, while trying to land, a private two-seater aeroplane crashed into a field belonging to Mr. C. W. Crocker, of Cross Lanes Farm. The woman pilot, who was well-known in Society, and her passenger, a bank director, who was also an enthusiastic flyer, were killed instantly; both receiving terrible injuries. The victims were:

Mrs. Violet Baring, aged 31, of Earls Court Square, London, SW, a niece of Lady George Dundas, of Newmarket, and also of the Marquess of Zetland, and

Mr. Philip Ernest Noble, aged 61, of Jesmond Road, Newcastle, and St. James’ Place, London W, a former High Sheriff of Northumberland, a director of Lloyds Bank, and a son of the late Sir Andrew Noble, the expert on explosives.

The flyers were on their way to a week-end party at Mr. Noble’s house, Chisenbury Priory, Wilts., and Mrs. Noble was awaiting their arrival. The machine left Heston (London) Aerodrome at 12:30 p.m., less than half-an-hour before the tragedy, the destination being Upavon Aerodrome. Mrs. Baring and Mr. Noble were old friends, and had learned to fly at the same time, about two years ago.

CHANGE IN ORIGINAL PLANS.
Farm hands at work in Mr. Crocker’s premises heard the engine of the ‘plane making an unusual noise, and they saw it circling, gradually getting lower. Suddenly the nose of the machine dropped and it dived to the ground behind a tall hedge. The propeller and engine were buried about 2 ft. in the ground, the tail being pointed almost straight up in the air. Petrol rushed out of the shattered tank, but no fire followed, which was no doubt due, according to witnesses, to the engine having been shut off immediately before the ‘plane dived.

INSTANT DEATH.
Those who rushed to the scene found Mrs. Baring, who was occupying the rear cockpit seat, sitting strapped in her seat, dead. The tail of the machine had to be pulled down before she could be lifted out. Mr. Noble had been thrown forward onto the engine, and parts of the machine had to be broken away in order to extricate him. Beyond all doubt death must have occurred instantly. The identity of Mrs. Baring was established by means of her pilot’s certificate and an international motoring licence, which were found in a pocket in the machine, but it was necessary to get in touch with the aerodrome at Heston before the name of Mr. Noble could be found.

With the house-party which had been assembled at Chisenbury Priory, Mrs. Noble was awaiting her husband and Mrs. Baring. As soon as the news of the accident reached her, Mrs. Noble motored to Arborfield and identified her husband.

“It was simply an act of God that Mrs. Baring and my husband should have been in the same machine together”, she said. “The original plan was that Mr. Turner, a friend of Mrs. Baring, should fly in her machine, and that my husband should fly in his own machine. However, a fault was found in the petrol feed of Mr. Noble’s aeroplane, and as he was anxious not to be late for lunch, he took Mr. Turner’s place in Mrs. Baring’s machine”.

OWNED TWO PLANES.
Mr. Noble was a most enthusiastic pilot and about 18 months ago he had a remarkable escape from death when flying at Heston, his machine crashing, but only bruises were received be him. Mrs. Baring, who had also a great amount of flying experience, had never been involved in an air accident. Besides having a ‘plane at Heston, Mr. Noble kept another on in Northumberland. He was educated at Eton and Oxford, and, in addition to his connection with Lloyds Bank, he was a director of the National Bank of Scotland. In 1895 he married Mabel, the second daughter of Percy Graham Buchanan Westmacott, formerly of Rose Mount, Ascot, and had two sons and two daughters. Mrs. Baring lived with her nine-year-old daughter. For some time, no one had the courage to break the news to the child, but at last she had to be told. Mrs. Barings’ housekeeper said that after she had explained as gently as she could that the girl’s mother was dead, the child would not leave her and followed her about pathetically asking for more details.

The bodies were first taken to The Bull at Arborfield. The same evening, they were removed to the private mortuary of Messrs. Heelas at Wokingham.

INQUEST OPENED.
EVERYTHING IN ORDER BEFORE MACHINE LEFT.
The inquest was opened by the Reading Divisional Coroner (Mr. R. S. Payne) at Wokingham town Hall on Monday, when only evidence of identification and medical testimony was taken. Major Cooper, the inspector-general of accidents to the Air Ministry, sat with the coroner, and the relatives of Mrs. Baring were represented by Mr. Norman Matthews (solicitor).

In answer to the coroner, the jury intimated that they did not wish to see the bodies.
“I am here to help you in any way”, Major Cooper told the coroner. “I could give evidence up to a point”, he added. “My duty is to make an inquiry and report to the Secretary of State for Air”.

EXPERT FLYERS.
The coroner remarked that they were fortunate in having the assistance of Major Cooper. “Obviously there has not been time to investigate all the circumstances”, said the coroner, “and an adjournment will be necessary. The only evidence of the occurrence is that of people in the neighbourhood, but at the adjourned hearing we can have technical evidence from people at the aerodrome from which the ‘plane started. Both the people who had lost their lives were expert flyers, holding flying certificates, and apparently, they had done a great deal of flying, but whether in this machine or not I do not know”.

Evidence for the identity of Mr. Noble was given by his wife, Mrs. Mabel Noble, who was dressed in deep mourning. She said she lived at Chisenbury Priory, Wilts., and her husband had been accustomed to pilot aeroplanes, having held a pilot’s certificate for over two years. She last saw her husband about a fortnight ago, and had expected him to come to Marlborough by air on Saturday.

In answer to Mr. Matthews, Mrs. Noble said that it was only since the accident that she had learned that her husband had just completed negotiations with Mrs. Baring for the purchase of her machine. Mrs. Baring was going to stay at Marlborough, and a week-end party had been arranged, Mrs. Barings’ room having already been prepared.

When Mrs. Noble had concluded her evidence, Councillor F. S. Perkins (who was the foreman of the jury) expressed the jury’s sympathy with her. “I thank you very, very deeply”, she replied.

FIANCE’S EVIDENCE
The next witness was Mr. John Denis Turner, of 8, John Street, Mayfair, and he said he identified the body of Mrs. Baring.
The coroner: Was she divorced? – Yes.
Mr. Matthews: She divorced her husband.
Supt. Goddard: There is a difference.
The coroner: What was his name?
“Richard”, replied Mr. Turner, who continued that Mrs. Baring lived at Earls Court Square.
The coroner: She had a flying certificate for all purposes? – Yes, an “A” licence.
Major Cooper: That is generally called a pilot’s licence.
Mr. Turner said that he saw Mrs. Baring leave Heston Aerodrome in a De Havilland “Moth” two-seater machine Mr. Noble was her passenger, and there was no doubt that she was the pilot, the controls for his seat having been disconnected. The destination of the machine was Upavon Aerodrome.
The coroner: Did she seem in good health and spirits on leaving? – Yes.
Did she start all right? – Yes; there was an excellent take-off.
I understand this machine had just been purchased from Mrs. Baring. Was it a new machine? – No; it was built in 1930.
She was quite used to flying it? – Yes, she had been flying it the week-end before.
Was the weather all right for flying? – Yes, the weather was perfectly normal.

A CAREFUL PILOT.
The certificate of airworthiness of the machine had been renewed last September, continued witness. It would take about half-an-hour to get to Wokingham from Heston. The machine was one commonly used by two people.

Major Cooper: It was licensed to carry two.
Mr. Matthews: You have flown with Mrs. Baring on several occasions? – Yes.
In fact, you were engaged to be married to her? – Yes.
Would you describe her as a careful pilot? – Yes.
Major Cooper said he would like to put certain questions to Mr. Turner, and on receiving the coroner’s permission asked: Did the pilot say anything to you about breaking her journey in order to land at Woodley, near Reading, or anywhere else? Witness: No.
She knew Woodley Aerodrome quite well? – Yes.
Woodley is quite near, and she would have no difficulty in seeing it? – That is so.
Was any luggage carried? – Two suitcases in the back locker.
“The position in which luggage is carried is of importance”, remarked Major Cooper.

Dr. E. F. Smith, the Wokingham police surgeon, said he went to the scene of the crash at 1:10 p.m., and when he arrived Mr. Noble’s body was being extricated from the wreckage. The injuries were very extensive, the cause being head injuries received by coming into contact with the windscreen.

The doctor was describing the numerous injuries, when the coroner intervened, remarking, “I do not think it is necessary for the doctor to go into details. Mr. Noble was practically smashed to bits”.

NO QUESTION OF HEART ATTACK.
Dr. Smith said he considered that Mrs. Baring was killed instantly owing to the injuries she had received to her head.
On my order you made a post mortem examination? – yes.
Did you find anything which might make her lose control? – No.
Her heart and lungs were normal? Yes; there was no question of a heart attack.
The doctor added that when the crash occurred Mrs. Baring’s head struck the back of Mr. Noble’s seat.
“Was Mrs. Baring wearing suitable flying clothes?” inquired Major Cooper.
“Yes, she was wearing a flying suit”, replied Dr. Smith.
Major Cooper: Nothing in the way of a skirt which would have fouled the controls? – No.

The coroner enquired when a resumption of the enquiry would be convenient, and Major Cooper said a short adjournment would be preferable.

“There is a certain amount of satisfaction in knowing that death came instantly and that no pain occurred”, said the coroner, “but what the sensation was immediately before the crash I would not like to say”.

INQUIRY BY AIR MINISTRY.
In answer to enquiries as to the nature of the evidence to be called at the adjourned hearing, Supt. Goddard said that evidence would be called from the aerodrome to say that everything was in order before the machine left the ground. “We cannot go into the suitability of the machine; the Air Ministry will do that”.

The coroner adjourned the enquiry until 2 p.m. yesterday (Friday), at the Police Court".

Registration cancelled 9.11.31 due to "destruction or permanent withdrawal from use of aircraft"

Brief biography of pilot: Violetta Mary Archer in Reading, in 1900 "A niece of Lady George Dundas, of Newmarket, and also of the Marquess of Zetland."Married Richard Baring in Jan 1921 but 'divorced him'.

Violet was killed in July 1931 when she and her 'old friend' Philip Ernest Noble (to whom she had just sold the aeroplane) crashed in DH.60 Moth G-EBYK while attempting a forced landing near Wokingham, Berks:

"The woman pilot, who was well-known in Society, and her passenger, a director of Lloyds Bank, who was also an enthusiastic flyer, were killed instantly; both receiving terrible injuries."

John Dennis Turner (q.v.), who said he was engaged to be married to Violet, identified the body and gave evidence at the inquest. Her house at 23 Earl's Court Square, London, was for sale 'at a low price' by the following January.

Arborfield Cross is a village in the civil parish of Arborfield and Newland in the Borough of Wokingham in the English county of Berkshire. It is situated at what was a cross-roads, but is now a roundabout on the A327 road, 3 miles south-east of Reading, 3 miles west of Wokingham, and half a mile to the east of the smaller village of Arborfield.

1. Reading Mercury 19 July 1931
2. Reading Standard 25th July 1931 and 1st August 1931
3. National Archives (PRO Kew) File AVIA 5/13/C199: https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C6576667
4. http://www.arborfieldhistory.org.uk/memories_air_crash_1931.htm
5. https://publicapps.caa.co.uk/docs/HistoricalMaterial/G-EBYK.pdf
6. http://www.airhistory.org.uk/gy/reg_G-E4.html
7. http://www.edcoatescollection.com/ac5/ROW%20Europe/G-EBYK.html
8. https://www.baaa-acro.com/crash/crash-de-havilland-dh60g-gipsy-moth-arborfield-2-killed
9. http://www.airhistory.org.uk/dh/p008.html
10. https://ab-ix.co.uk/pdfs/dh60.pdf
11. https://www.afleetingpeace.org/index.php/page-great-bitain-registers-g-eb/g-eb-part-2?highlight=WyJnLWVieWsiXQ==
12. Biography of pilot: https://www.afleetingpeace.org/index.php/pioneering-women/baring-violet?highlight=WyJnLWVieWsiXQ==
13. 1928 Kings Cup Air Race: https://www.afleetingpeace.org/index.php/pioneering-women/kings-cup-1928?highlight=WyJnLWVieWsiXQ==
14. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arborfield_Cross

Date/time	Contributor	Updates
27-Sep-2008 01:00	ASN archive	Added
29-Dec-2013 21:55	Dr. John Smith	Updated [Cn, Operator, Total fatalities, Total occupants, Other fatalities, Location, Phase, Nature, Departure airport, Destination airport, Source, Damage, Narrative]
28-Aug-2017 15:58	Dr. John Smith	Updated [Time, Location, Source, Narrative]
30-Oct-2023 19:34	TB	Updated [[Time, Location, Source, Narrative]]
16-Nov-2023 17:42	Dr. John Smith	Updated [Location, Departure airport, Source, Narrative, Category]