Women's History Month - Winnifred Drinkwater

 

Winnifred Joyce Drinkwater was born in East Renfrewshire on April 11, 1913 to Albert Drinkwater, an engineer, and his wife Emma Banner. Winnie was one of three children born to the couple.  

At the age of 17, Winnie joined the Scottish Flying Club where she trained under instructor Captain John Houston. 

Later that same year, Winnie made aviation when she became Scotland’s youngest aircraft pilot. By the time Winnie turned 21, she was the youngest commercial pilot in Britain. She subsequently went on to become the first female pilot in the UK to fly the Glasgow to London route.