Roland Louis Ernest Burton AFC and

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(known as Monty Burton) (18 May 1918 – 28 April 1999) was a British pilot who won the 1953 London to Christchurch air race.

London to Christchurch air race

Flight Lieutenant Burton became the first man to fly from London to

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in under 24 hours, when with his navigator Flight Lieutenant Don Gannon he won the 1953 London to Christchurch air race in a Canberra PR3 in 1953, winning the Britannia Trophy, now in the RAF Museum, Hendon.

Family life

Burton married Joan Evans (1942) and they had two daughters and a son. One of his daughters Jocelyn Burton became a successful silver and goldsmith. His son Michael Burton (1949–2011) was also a talented silversmith. Burton retired to France where he died on 29 April 1999.

References

External links

British Pathe, 12.000 Mile Air Race 1953

British Pathe, London Christchurch Air Race 1953, prizes awarded

Press notes
{{DEFAULTSORT:Burton, Roland 1918 births 1999 deaths Royal Air Force squadron leaders Recipients of the Air Force Cross (United Kingdom) Britannia Trophy winners