Bernard Frost Trophy

History

Bernard Cecil Frost OBE FRGS AFRAeS AMinstT joined the Society in 1963 and remained a member, albeit latterly as a non-playing member, until 1995 (32 years).

His aviation experiences were extensive. After learning to fly, he was employed by British Imperial Airways flying Vickers Vimys from Croydon Airport to Paris in an open cockpit. In the 1930s he graduated to the ‘C’ Class Empire Flying Boats, flying to West Africa from the Solent, with stops at Marseilles, Alexandria, a lake in the Sudan and then to Lake Victoria and Kenya - a round trip of 12 days!

During the war Bernard flew Sunderland Flying Boats for the RAF, mostly on transport and reconnaissance. He subsequently joined BOAC, where he flew Douglas DC6s, Lockheed Super Constellations, and Boeing Stratocruisers. He became Chief Pilot and Commander of the Queen's Flight and was also noted for his research and papers on Clear Air Turbulence. Bernard was awarded the OBE in the Queen's Birthday Honour's List in 1957.

Graham Capel is the longest serving non-playing member of the Aero GS and he was introduced to the Society by Bernard Frost. They had a firm friendship which had its foundations in aviation, the Aero GS and other common interests which lasted until Bernard died in 1995. The amusing and interesting story of their friendship can be found in the Aero GS Member News Archive 2003 (Members only).