Sopwith Aviation Company
In 1919, he was employed by Sopwith Aviation Company, and was briefly assigned to operating Sopwith Gnu (K-101) on pleasure flights from the beach at Southport, where on 10 June 1919, his engine caught fire. He managed to crash land on the beach, thus saving the life of his passenger. He however, received considerable burns to his own face and arms, that required extensive hospitalisation.