Richarda Morrow-Tait by PA Images.  Editorial and non-profit social media license

August 19, 2024 a Blue Plaque event was hosted at Marshall Cambridge Airport as a tribute to the extraordinary life of Richarda Morrow-Tait (1923-1982), the pioneering aviator who etched her name in history as the first woman to fly around the world. The celebration was marked by the unveiling of the blue plaque in her honour, commemorating her unparalleled achievements in aviation and adventure.

Richarda, affectionately known as "Dikki," was born in Ickleton, Cambridge, and learned to fly at Cambridge Airport. At the tender age of 24, she became the first woman to earn a civilian flying license after World War II. With just 80 hours of flying experience, she embarked on her historic journey, a voyage that was anticipated to last six to eight weeks but ultimately spanned an entire year and a day.

Accompanied by Michael Townsend, a mature Geography student from Cambridge who had recently served with the RAF, Richarda set off in their aircraft named ‘Thursday’s Child’—a nod to the day of her birth and the adage that she had "far to go." Their adventure was fraught with challenges, including a minor crash in France, a nine-week delay in India awaiting new parts, and a forced landing in Japan. A major crash in Alaska left Richarda fundraising for a new plane, during which she gave lectures, participated in radio interviews, and even sang in a nightclub to gather the necessary funds.

On August 19, 1949, Richarda triumphantly returned to Croydon Airport, where she was warmly welcomed by her husband and daughter, who presented her with a bouquet of gladioli. Although she intended to publish her story, life took a different turn after a high-profile divorce and subsequent marriage to her first navigator, with whom she had a son.

The blue plaque unveiling ceremony was held on August 19, 2024, exactly 75 years after the completion of Richarda's groundbreaking flight. The event was graced by esteemed guests including Nick Langrishe, Dikki’s son-in-law, and Oonagh Langrishe-Vernon, her granddaughter.

Jacqueline Tasioulas Senior Tutor from Clare College and Polly Vacher MBE, a pilot who’s flown around the world three times, did the honours of unveiling the plaque. To top it off, Thijs Nulkes from Hermans Mini Gladiolus introduced a new variety of white miniature gladiolus called ‘Thursday’s Child,’ which was ceremoniously ‘baptised’ at the event.

The Cambridge Aero Club also arranged for guests to take short flights in a Percival Proctor, a vintage aircraft similar to Richarda's original plane and the only remaining flying Proctor in the UK.

The event was a splendid success, enjoyed by all who attended. Special thanks to Marshall Group for the wonderful location overlooking the airfield, and to Emma Easterbrook and the CPPF Blue Plaque committee for their meticulous planning and thoughtful curation of this memorable occasion.

The plaque will be permanently installed at St Regis (Clare College accommodation block) on Chesterton Road. You can see it in situ from October.

Jacqueline Tasioulas Senior Tutor from Clare College with the Gladioli!

Portrait of Richarda Morrow-Tait

Penny Heath & Julia Eisen from the CPPF Blue Plaque committee with the Procter in the background

Oonagh Langrishe-Vernon, Nick Langrishe, Polly Vacher, Emma Easterbrook, Jaqueline Tasioulas, Penny Heath, Terry Holloway

Thijs Nulkes from Hermans Mini Gladiolus

Map of Dikki's journey created by pupils from Stephen Perse Foundation

Group photo on the balcony of Marshall visitor centre.

With thanks to all involved, especially:

https://www.clare.cam.ac.uk
https://minigladiolus.com/en
https://cambridgeaeroclub.com
https://marshallgroup.com/en
https://www.stephenperse.com