One of my earliest aviation memories comes from that day. I was four and three quarters in February 1952 and we then lived in a small farming hamlet near Scunthorpe. I recall the next door neighbour came round to tell my mother she had heard the announcement of the King's death on the news While they were talking at the door a small aeroplane flew over. The image I have retained for the past sixty-five years is that of an Auster.
My mother remarked it must be a private plane - presumably based on an assumption that the RAF, etc., were grounded that day as a mark of respect. Was she correct in that assumption?