Top 100 accountancy firm, Grunberg & Co, is to name its meeting rooms at its new office at the Technology Park in Colindale after three pilots who served at RAF Hendon – once located near to the same site.
The rooms, named Mannock, Ball and Warneford recognise three former Royal Naval Air Service and Royal Flying Corps pilots who were awarded the Victoria Cross (VC) for their bravery in the air, after training at Hendon before joining air combat in the First World War.
Robert Bean, Managing Partner at Grunberg & Co, said: “Albert Ball, Edward Mannock and Reginald Warneford were some of the First World War’s leading aces, but all began their flying careers by training at Hendon before having distinguished careers in the services.
“In recognition of their selfless acts of bravery, during the early days of air combat, and with 2018 marking the 100th anniversary since the end of hostilities we could think of no greater way of recognising their achievements than by naming our new meeting rooms after them.”
The Aircraft Acceptance Park, which later became RAF Hendon and now is home to the RAF Museum, was created initially to take delivery of aircraft from a number of factories in the area, but later became one of London’s first airfields where it hosted air displays, before later becoming an important site in the defence of London during the Second World War.
“We are very keen to support local groups and communities near to our new office in Colindale,” added Robert.
“This move marks a significant turning point in our own company’s history and so we feel that it is only right to pay homage to local history.”