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By: - 21st July 2012 at 22:55 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
I believe she died in 1946.
By: - 22nd July 2012 at 01:53 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Keith, According to Wlkepedia, there are descendants of R.J Mitchell and his wife Florence, I'm sure that our UK friends on this forum would give you a good lead on them and the possibility of the photograph you seek. Also, have you been in contact with the RAF Museum Hendon, it maybe worth a try?
By: - 22nd July 2012 at 09:21 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
About 25 years ago Gordon Mitchell invited eighteen people to write a chapter for the biography on his father. They were the test pilots, the fighter pilots, the engineers and the politicians. I was privileged to be asked to write the last chapter...on surviving Spitfires.
A leather bound copy of the book signed by all contributors is one of my most treasured possessions.
I have scanned a couple of images from this book.
Mark
By: - 22nd July 2012 at 11:01 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
The first picture..I find intensely poignant.
By: - 22nd July 2012 at 11:27 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Hello Mark,
Many thanks for the images. The marriage of Reginald Mitchell and Florence Dayson was an unusual union even by todays standards. Mitchell was 19 when he married; his blushing bride was 30 and the successful Head Mistress of the infant school in The Potteries area of Stoke on Trent. Today tongues would wag: God alone knows what people thought at the time.
By: - 22nd July 2012 at 12:08 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
I'm just wondering if this image could have been mistaken for Mitchells wife (I can see a slight resemblance), it is in fact Lord Mayor, Alderman Annie Longsdon Barker laying the foundation stone for the Mitchell Memorial - Youth Centre - 16th May 1955
The centre has recently been upgraded. With a trendy new name "THE MITCH" But it does now have a Spitfire wing shaped canopy at the front and Spitfire blueprints as interior decor.
http://www.thepotteries.org/photo_wk/165.htm
By: - 22nd July 2012 at 22:28 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
I think you might be right. The lady certainly bears a resemblance to Florence Mitchell.
By: - 23rd July 2012 at 00:23 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
There are a couple of photos in the March and April 1986 issue of Aeroplane Monthly in the article(s) "RJ Mitchell: my father" by his son Gordon Mitchell.
In the photo in the March 1986 Aeroplane Monthly Issue, half her face is cut off but it has the caption "It was not all work and no play in the Mitchell household. The author stands together with his father and mother during a break in a round of golf; circa 1928"
In the April 1986 Aeroplane Monthly issue there is a much better photo with the caption "RJ Mitchell, looking far older than his 42 years, with his wife in the garden shortly before his death". While it has a similar caption to a post earlier in this thread, it is in a different part of the garden and better lit (although they are not looking at the camera).
I dont have a scanner or camera handy but someone else might be able to help.
There are a couple more articles (and a book) listed here that may also have photos: Gordon Mitchell
By: - 24th July 2012 at 11:29 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
AM April 1986 as requested!
Posts: 76
By: Keith Gaff - 21st July 2012 at 21:39
Gentlemen,
I'm presently putting together the 2012 George Merz Memorial Lecture for the Friends of the Royal Australian Air Force Museum. This years lecture examines the history of the Supermarine Spitfire and one image is eluding me. I'm after a photograph of Reginald Mitchells wife Florence whose maiden name was Dayson. I believe a picture exists of her unveiling a memorial to Mitchell in the 1950's but my search has been fruitless. If someone is able to help I would be most grateful. FYI, George Pinnock Merz was the first Australian airman to die in combat in Mesopotamia in 1915.
Regards,
Keith Gaff
Secretary
Friends of the RAAF Museum