Edwin Dunning Memorial, Swanbister Bay, Orkney - KW17 2RB

On 2nd August 1917, Group Captain Edwin Dunning made aviation history by becoming the first man to land a plane on a moving ship. The South African born pilot was mere 25 years of age.

He achieved the feat by landing his Sopwith Pup on the deck of the HMS Furious as the ship steamed through the waters of Scapa Flow in Orkney.

The landing was extremely perilous: whereas now arrest wires would bring a plane to a halt, Dunning was relying on the deck crew of the Furious to grab the wings of his Sopwith Pup to bring his plane to a halt.

Five days later, the dangers became all too apparent. While attempting to repeat the feat, Dunning waved the ground crew away. On approach, his engine stalled and he came down on the deck of the Furious at too steep an angle. Dunning was knocked unconscious, his plane went over the side of the ship and Dunning was drowned.

In 1992, a memorial stone was unveiled in recognition of Dunning's having made aviation history at Swanbister Bay in Orkney.