An occasional column of notable people from, or connected to, Ipswich who don’t quite qualify (yet) for an Ipswich Society Blue Plaque.

 

Stanley Wallage MC

(Born in Ipswich 24 July 1895 - 17 April 1926)

He was the son of Christopher and Mary Wallage. Flight Lieutenant Stanley Harry Wallage MC was a British flying ace credited with ten aerial victories in World War I. His 1918 Military Cross citation read: ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during recent operations. He personally destroyed seven enemy machines. He showed a fine spirit of dash and tenacity, and his skill and success as a fighting pilot was a fine example to others in his squadron.’

Wallage returned to the RAF in 1921 when granted a Short Service Commission with the rank of flying officer and he was promoted to flight lieutenant in 1924, with a permanent commission the following year. On 17 April 1926 Wallage was serving in No. 14 Squadron when he and Squadron Leader Harley Alec Tweedie were killed when their Airco DH.9A crashed at Amman, Transjordan.

(Information from a panel on the wall of The Royal George Hotel, also Wikipedia.)

 

George Double (Born in Hadleigh 1840, died in 1916)

George Double lived from 1891 onwards until his death at Kirby Lodge, Kirby Street, in the California Estate, Ipswich. 

He was a bridge builder and built the steel girder bridge at Boxted in 1897, Wormingford Bridge around 1895, and Dedham bridge in 1900.  He also built the new pier head on Clevedon Pier in 1893, and constructed Llandudno Pier in 1877.  He must have had considerable experience as a bridge builder to have been brought into the construction of the new pier head at Clevedon Pier where they have the second highest tides in the world. George Double was foreman for John Dixon, engineer, in charge of the men who raised Cleopatra’s Needle on the 

Embankment in 1877 and was employed by John Dixon for some years afterwards.

(Information from Lucinda de Jasay of Boxted.)

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