Pioneering Female Aviator and Author. She was fascinated by flying from an early age, and in spite of her father's objections, trained to be a pilot at a time when women aviators were almost unheard of. She was ambitious and career minded, and in 1931 founded a joy riding and air taxi service in Kent. She also wrote for the "Girl's Own Paper" and "Chatterbox", as well as producing a book of poetry, "Piffling Poems for Pilots" (1934). She was a friend of the author W E Johns, and he based his character Worrals on her. She was made a civil defence commissioner with the London Civil Air Guard in 1938, and published "Women with Wings" in the same year. When World War II broke out she called for the creation of a woman's section in the new Air Transport Auxiliary, and was soon appointed head of the new service. She was responsible for selecting and training new pilots and her recruits included hockey player Mona Friedlander, ballet dancer Rona Rees and celebrated pilot Amy Johnson. In 1943 she became the first woman to be appointed to the board of a state airline when she joined the British Overseas Airways Corporation. Gower was made a Member of the British Empire for her services to aviation. She died in childbirth at the age of 37.
Pioneering Female Aviator and Author. She was fascinated by flying from an early age, and in spite of her father's objections, trained to be a pilot at a time when women aviators were almost unheard of. She was ambitious and career minded, and in 1931 founded a joy riding and air taxi service in Kent. She also wrote for the "Girl's Own Paper" and "Chatterbox", as well as producing a book of poetry, "Piffling Poems for Pilots" (1934). She was a friend of the author W E Johns, and he based his character Worrals on her. She was made a civil defence commissioner with the London Civil Air Guard in 1938, and published "Women with Wings" in the same year. When World War II broke out she called for the creation of a woman's section in the new Air Transport Auxiliary, and was soon appointed head of the new service. She was responsible for selecting and training new pilots and her recruits included hockey player Mona Friedlander, ballet dancer Rona Rees and celebrated pilot Amy Johnson. In 1943 she became the first woman to be appointed to the board of a state airline when she joined the British Overseas Airways Corporation. Gower was made a Member of the British Empire for her services to aviation. She died in childbirth at the age of 37.
Bio by: js
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