Here at the Imperial War Museum I tell the extraordinary story of Fred Slingsby – a First World War hero whose legacy still lives on here in Thirsk and Malton.
I first heard Fred's remarkable story during a recent visit to Slingsby Advanced Composites in Kirbymoorside, where I opened new areas of the facility, met the team and learned more about the company's founder.
Awarded the Military Medal after taking control of his aircraft when his pilot was killed over the Western Front, Fred returned home to build the business that became today's Slingsby Advanced Composites. More than a century later, the company continues to employ around 130 people locally.
Fred Slingsby's story is one of the most remarkable I have come across. His bravery during the First World War and his determination to build a successful business afterwards have left a lasting legacy that continues to support skilled jobs in Kirbymoorside today.
I was proud to tell his story at the Imperial War Museum and grateful to everyone at Slingsby Advanced Composites for introducing me to this remarkable chapter of our local history.
