Reginald Warneford blue plaque

This blue commemorative plaque records: Dolphin Hotel. Sub Lt R. Warneford VC, Royal Naval Air Service, 2 Morton Road. Awarded VC for conspicuous bravery when on the 7 June 1915, flying a single engined aircraft, hand dropped bombs, destroying a German Zeppelin airship on a night flight over Belgium. Died 10 days later in a flying accident near Paris, aged 23. Recorded plaque organisation: Exmouth Society.

Sub Lt Reginald Warneford VC was a Royal Naval Air Service pilot who became the first aviator to down an enemy airship in combat during World War I; he was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross for his bravery and sacrifice at age 23.