Newton & Earlestown Guardian

MR. WARNEFORD’S LOSS

SON COMMANDER OF UNFORTUNATE N.S. 11

It was not until some time after the disaster of the N.S. 11 airship off the Norfolk coast that the rumour began to spread that Earlestown was affected by it.

It is now known that the Commander was the only son of Mr and Mrs Warneford, and the heartfelt sympathy of the township will be with the bereaved parents.

Captain W K Warneford’s home was with his parents, at Lansdown House, Huyton. He was cousin of Lieut. Warneford V.C., the first airman to bring down a Zeppelin.

Captain Warneford was only 24 years of age, but bore his responsibilities lightly, and on a number of occasions showed a cool head and a steady nerve in emergencies. He was an all-round sportsman and a general favourite among airship men.

He was born on July 19th, 1895, at Crewe. Leaving school, he became an apprentice engineer in the locomotive department of the London and North Western Railway. In October, 1914, be joined up in the RNAS and served in the first kite balloon section.

He was then transferred to the airship section, and underwent his training at Barrow. he was put on the Anglesea patrol, the Dover patrol, and later he was sent on patrolling work connected with the Grand Fleet at East Fortune. With the temporary rank of major, he took over the command of the airship squadron at Longside.

He received double mention in despatches and in the birthday honour list his name appeared under the award of the Air Force Cross.

The Air Ministry despatched a letter to him in March congratulating him and the crew of N.S.11 on their devotion and high degree of efficiency as shown in the duration flight from Feb, 9th to 15th.

Mr. Warneford was for many years at Crewe Railway Works, and is now manager of the Viaduct Works at Earlestown. Mrs Warneford has made herself popular in the town by her work during the war in aid of men at the front.

July 1919