Sikorsky Ilya Muromets

Sikorsky Ilya Muromets The Sikorsky Ilya Muromets (Sikorsky S-22, S-23, S-24, S-25, S-26 and S-27) were a class of Russian pre-World War I large four-engine commercial airliners and military heavy bombers used during World War I by the Russian Empire. The aircraft series was named after Ilya Muromets, a hero from Slavic mythology. The Ilya Muromets aircraft as it appeared in 1913 was a revolutionary design, intended for commercial service with its spacious fuselage incorporating a passenger saloon and washroom on board. During World War I, it became the first…

Private Herbert Bramwell Rook

Private Rook served with the 6th Royal Went Kent Regiment during the first world war.  He was educated in Orpington and was a ‘zealous and useful’ member of the Baptist Church at Green-Street-Green. In January 1916, it was reported in the local newspaper (Bromley Times) that he had been severely wounded at La Bassee, making it necessary to amputate the right leg just below the knee. The newspaper reports reads: Private Herbert Bramwell Rook is the son of Mrs Rook, of 3 Chelsfield Terrace, Green-Street-Green. As a lad he went to…