The life of Norwich-born Flying Ace and dancer Vernon Castle

Huge crowds gathered along the railway line to pay their respects as the train carrying his coffin travelled from Fort Worth in Texas to New York’s Grand Central.

America mourns the death of Vernon Castle (Image: Philip Yaxley Collection)

His funeral service in Manhattan was attended by dignitaries from America and Britain. Major Lord Innes-Ker, head of the Royal Flying Corps, led the military process to the cemetery where he was laid to rest with the Croix de Guerre medal pinned to his tunic.

The story of this gentlemen’s service in the war often takes a side-step when articles are written about Vernon Castle because he, along with his partner Irene, were world-famous dancers.

The most famous dancers in the world – Vernon and Irene Castle (Image: Philip Yaxley Collection)As Strictly Come Dancing judge Craig Revel Horwood said: “A couple that really did teach the world to dance…they were real trendsetters, encouraging the world to embrace new forms of social dancing.”

He was born William Vernon Blyth at Mill Hill Road, Norwich, in May 1887 and, after early schooling at College House, Lowestoft, went to Norwich Grammar School.

The son of Jane and William Blyth, he was brought up at the Great Eastern Hotel by Foundry Bridge, now the Nelson Premier Inn on Prince of Wales Road.

Vernon Castle (Image: Philip Yaxley Collection)

In 1906 Vernon, along with his sister Coralie came up with an act and her husband Lawrence Goldsmith, already theatrical stars, went off to New York where they were to rehearse for a play. Among the group was songwriter Jerome Kern.

Vernon came up with an act, playing an eccentric comedian and magician, and the Americans adored him. He changed his name to Castle and in 1910 met Irene Foote, the daughter of a rich medical consultant and after a whirlwind romance they were married in 1911.

The most famous dancers in the world – Vernon and Irene Castle (Image: Philip Yaxley Collection)

After a visit to Norwich they returned to New York and the stage. Times were hard but while touring in Paris they performed a new dance, The Grizzly Bear.

The crowd went crazy and a dancing legend was born. They returned to take the States, made dancing fun with the likes of The Castle Walk, the Turkey Trot, The Bunny Hug, The Camel Walk, The Tango and became superstars.

Photograph of the couple that was autographed by Irene Castle (Image: Philip Yaxley Collection)

Their rise to fame was spectacular and in April 1914 they embarked in their own specially chartered train on “The Whirlwind Tour” taking in more than 30 big cities in a month with a final spectacular at Madison Square Garden in New York.

Then the dancing stopped. Vernon’s country was at war. “I could not forget I was an Englishman,” he said giving up his £1,000 a week salary and heading home to join the Royal Flying Corps. He had already learnt to fly.

Flying ace, Norwich-born Vernon Castle (Image: Philip Yaxley Collection)

While waiting instructions he visited Norwich a number of times saying: “All my school friends have gone and some unfortunately killed.”

Before he went to France to serve with his squadron Irene visited England. Lady Grenville heard they were in this country and asked them to do a benefit show at the Prince’s Theatre in Drury Lane. It was a packed house and Queen Alexandra, the Queen Mother, led the thunderous applause.

Vernon Castle (Image: Philip Yaxley Collection)

Once in France Vernon led daily dangerous missions in his little Bleriot-type monoplane over the German trenches, either on reconnaissance or bombing sorties.

He would zig-zag to dodge the enemy fire and took each deadly mission in his stride. A piece of shell once passed through his leather coat but he managed to land safely.

Vernon Castle Avenue in Benbrook, on the outskirts of Fort Worth, Texas (Image: Philip Yaxley Collection)

Vernon once wrote to Irene saying: “We did a big bomb raid yesterday to some Zep sheds 90 miles over German lines. It was terribly exciting.”

He shot down at least two German aircraft and in 1917 the French awarded him The Croix de Guerre.

After completing some 150 missions, he was posted to Canada and then America to teach young men to become pilots.

In 1918, by then a Captain with the 84th Royal Flying Corps Squadron, he was killed in a training flight accident.  A monument now stands on Vernon Castle Avenue at Benbrook in Texas where he lost his life.

The monument in memory of Vernon Castle at the crash site in Benbrook, Texas, just outside of Fort Worth (Image: Philip Yaxley Collection)

Today, thanks to Philip Yaxley, the late Michael Armstrong, and other members of the former Wymondham Regal Experience, we have a plaque remembering Vernon at the Nelson Premier Inn which was unveiled by Dame Darcey Bussell in 2019. 

Dame Darcey Bussell unveiling a blue plaque for Vernon Castle, the Norwich dancer who became world renowned (Image: Newsquest)

As Darcey said: “Vernon was a star.” He certainly was.