Reginald Alexander John Warneford was a recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
He was 23 years old, and a Flight Sub-Lieutenant in the Royal Navy, (1 Squadron, Royal Naval Air Service) during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
On 7 June1915 at Ghent, Belgium, Flight Sub-Lieutenant Warneford attacked and completely destroyed the German airship LZ37 in mid air. He had chased the airship from the coast near Ostend and, despite it's defensive machine-gun fire, succeeded in dropping his bombs on it, the last of which set the airship on fire. The explosion overturned the attacking plane and stopped its engine. Having no alternative, Flight Sub-Lieutenant Warneford had to land in hostile country, but after 35 minutes spent on repairs, he managed to restart the engine and returned to base.
It is situated on the south side of the chancel, contains coats of arms as well as tombs and memorials for the members of the Warneford family who have died during the past three centuries.
ReginaldAlexanderJohnWarneford, V.C.,R.N., Chevalier of the Legion of Honour; during the First World War he pursued and destroyed, single handed, a Zeppelin airship near Ghent, on 7th June 1915.
The Warneford Chapel was re-furnished, in 1994 and is now used as Chapel and Vestry.
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