Let’s Fly Away – 90-year-old retired aircraft engineer’s wish to see Harrier Jets comes true

A care home in Leatherhead organised a special trip for a 90-year-old retired aircraft engineer to see the planes he worked on up close once again. 

Roy Whitehead, a resident at Care UK’s Milner House, on Ermyn Way, was surprised by the care home team and his sons with a visit to Brooklands Museum.

After finding out about Roy’s career and his wish to see the aircrafts he worked on 40 years ago once again, Georgie Wilkins, Customer Relations Manager at Milner House, worked with volunteers from the Museum to make his wish a reality.

A guided toured was organised for Roy, complete with a visit to see the collection of Harrier Jets – where Roy had no struggle knowing what every single button and dial did. 

This isn’t the first time the team at Milner House has granted a wish – the care home has a Wishing Tree initiative which allows residents to suggest ideas for activities they would like to do. This supports residents to live fulfilling lives – from skiing to a fish and chip supper, no wish is too big or small.

Roy started as a Harrier Aircraft Engineer at Hawkers, based in Kingston, on the 1^st September 1947, aged 16, as a Junior Technical Assistant. The day after he started was the first flight of the P1040-VP401, the first jet aircraft that Hawkers ever built. Throughout his career, he was involved in the testing and development of the cockpit instruments which enable a pilot and plane to fly safely. He was eventually appointed Chief Experimental Instrumentation Engineer and finally retired after 42 years of service. 

Roy has written two books about his experiences working on the Harrier Jets called: ‘There Was No Apprenticeships’ and ‘Treglyddins’. In his books he speaks of his boss named ‘Jumbo’ who taught him two important lessons in life: ‘to be practical’ and 'to be versatile’.

Jon Whitehead, Roy’s son said: “We all had an amazing time at Brooklands Museum, seeing the Hunter, Harrier and Hawk planes that dad had worked on throughout his career. We are very grateful to Georgie, Fabiana and the Milner House team for organising the visit. Andy, Mike and their fellow Brooklands volunteers made us feel very welcome. Thank you to everyone involved!”

Michele Belch, Home Manager at Milner House, said: “At Milner House, we consistently encourage residents to lead fulfilling lives, whether that comes from helping out in the garden, or traveling down memory lane like Roy.  

“We were thrilled to be able to make Roy’s wish a reality and help him to fulfill his dream of seeing the Harrier Jets once again. Roy had a brilliant time, and it was great to see how being near the planes brought him so much joy.”

Sam Hart, Director of Marketing at Brooklands Museum said: “It was a pleasure to invite Roy and his sons to the Museum to see the Harrier Jets and we were delighted to help Roy in achieving his dream to be reunited with the aircraft he worked on 40 years ago. 

“His face lit up the room when he saw the planes close-up and our volunteers were astounded by the knowledge he had of the jets. We are very much looking forward to welcoming him back soon.”

Milner House care home provides full-time residential, dementia, nursing and short-term respite care. The home, which features 46 ensuite bedrooms, has been designed to enable residents to live active and fulfilled lives, while also promoting independence. The care home incorporates space for hobby and leisure activities and includes its own hair salon and beautiful gardens.

To find out more about Milner House, please call 01372 278 992 or email Customer Relations Manager, Georgie Wilkins, on georgie.wilkins@careuk.com.

For more general information, please visit: careuk.com/milner-house.

Find out more about our wishing trees