Dick Forsythe

Dick Forsythe is the Chief Trustee of the WW1 Aviation Heritage Trust. He served a full career in the Royal Air Force as a helicopter pilot, starting on the Whirlwind and finishing with the Chinook. He is a 3rd generation RAF pilot – all his relations served for over 30 years. His father was a Lancaster pilot and met his mother when she was serving as a WRAF Intelligence Officer during World War 2. His godfather was shot down in a Lancaster in March 1945 and survived to see his 100th birthday despite having his wounds dressed daily for the rest of his life. His uncle won the first Sword of Honour at Cranwell. His grandfather joined the Royal Flying Corps in 1916 and the RAF when it formed in 1918, winning the 75th DFC to be awarded. It is absolutely a family affair as his wife Sue assists with the administration, and none of this would have happened had his daughter Natalie not been working on the Hobbit in Wellington, New Zealand. She went to an air show at Masterton where she had her picture taken in a Bristol Fighter which turned into a flight – the spark that led to this fantastic opportunity.

Since founding the Trust, Dick has taken on an active hands-on role managing its day-to-day operations. He oversees the Trust’s growing education programme, including STEM Simulator Day Visits to primary schools, and manages the booking systems that bring hundreds of children each year to experience WW1 aviation history first-hand. He also developed the Pilots’ Chat series – a programme of expert recordings on WW1 aviation available through the Trust’s website – and continues to drive the Trust’s digital presence and outreach.