THE DISCOVERY of a long-lost Edwardian photo album has shed light on the moment the world’s foremost aviation pioneers gathered in Bournemouth, which saw Rolls-Royce co-founder Charles Royce became the first Briton to die in an air accident.

The 28 photographs are of the 1910 International Aviation Meeting, which took place at Hengistbury Head to celebrate 100 years since the town’s founding.

Pioneer Charles Royce became Britain’s first aviation fatality when, on the second day of the meeting, his plane broke up during a manoeuvre.

After circling the course, the Wright brothers-designed plane entered a steep descent.

Pulling up sharply on his controls, the aircraft’s light wooden structure was overwhelmed and the tail snapped off.

Unable to control his aircraft, Rolls, who was only the second Briton ever to fly, entered a vertical dive and hit the ground in front of the main grandstand.

The impact threw him from his plane, and he died almost instantly from the violent concussion.

One of the original photographs is captioned ‘Rolls plane 1910 fatal flight’.

Only a handful of images of the event exist, as officials held back reporters and confiscated cameras in the aftermath of the crash.

The album was discovered following a house clearance in Stafford, and is up for auction on November 6 with Richard Winterton Auctioneers.

Other pioneers of the era featured include fellow Briton Claude Grahame-White and the Swiss aviator Edmond Audemars.

The historic gathering, which took place only seven years after the first successful powered flight, saw several other incidents that typified the risky nature of aviation during its infancy.

Aviator Alan Boyle earned himself a month’s stay in Boscombe hospital, and a crash landing by Alfred Rawlinson led to a broken ankle and dislocated shoulder.

Robert French, valuer at Richard Winterton Auctioneers, said: “When you look at the flimsy nature of many of these flying machines, it’s amazing to think of the courage and faith demonstrated by the pilots.

“By 1910, flying had captured the hearts of many people in England as a wonder of the modern day and the Bournemouth aviation meeting must have been an incredible spectacle.

“Photography was still in its relative infancy, with ownership of a camera and taking pictures far from routine for most people.

“With remarkably clear images of aircraft up in the sky and of crowds watching down on the ground, these historical photographs are an evocative tribute to those magnificent men in their flying machines.”