Horace Short Blue Plaque

About This Blue Plaque

Horace Short was a pioneering British aeronautical engineer who, along with his brothers Eustace and Oswald, made significant contributions to early aviation. Born in 1872, Horace and his brothers became fascinated with the potential of powered flight in the early 20th century.

The Short brothers established their aircraft manufacturing company, Short Brothers, in 1908. They initially worked out of railway arches in Battersea, including arches 75 and 81 commemorated by this plaque. Here, they designed and built innovative aircraft that pushed the boundaries of aviation technology at the time.

Horace and his brothers collaborated with early aviation pioneers like Charles Rolls and Frank McClean. They were responsible for several groundbreaking designs, including the first aircraft to be used by the Royal Navy and the first British aircraft to be launched by catapult. Tragically, Horace died in 1917 at the age of 45, but his legacy lived on through the continued success of Short Brothers. The company went on to become a major British aircraft manufacturer, playing a key role in both world wars and beyond.

The Short brothers’ early workshop in Battersea, located in the London Borough of Lambeth, was a humble beginning for a company that would become an aviation powerhouse. This blue plaque, erected in 2013, serves as a reminder of the innovative spirit and determination of Horace Short and his brothers, whose pioneering work helped shape the course of aviation history.