Christopher Draper
Christopher Draper | |
|---|---|
Christopher Draper in 1919 | |
| Nickname(s) | The Mad Major |
| Born | 15 April 1892 Bebington, Cheshire, England, UK |
| Died | 16 January 1979 (aged 86) |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service | Royal Naval Air Service Royal Air Force |
| Years of service | 1914–1918, 1939-1945 |
| Rank | Major |
| Unit | 3 Naval Wing 6 Naval Squadron |
| Commands | 8 Naval Squadron (later redesignated No. 208 Squadron RAF) |
| Awards | Distinguished Service Cross Croix de Guerre (France) |
| Other work | Actor, veterans' rights activist |
Squadron Commander Christopher Draper DSC (15 April 1892 – 16 January 1979), was an English flying ace of World War I. His penchant for flying under bridges earned him the nickname "the Mad Major". After the war he became a film star through his work both as a stunt pilot and as an actor. During the 1930s he worked for a time as a British secret agent, serving as a double agent to Nazi Germany. He returned to the Navy in World War II. During his flying career he logged over 17,000 flying hours on 73 types of aircraft.