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Cowbridge, Herts: Biggles' Creator's Home

The creator of one of the world鈥檚 most famous fictional pilots was born and brought up in Hertfordshire.

William Earl Johns, the man behind 鈥楤iggles鈥, spent his formative years in Hertford where a Blue Plaque now identifies his family home. His first book, 鈥淭he Camels Are Coming鈥, was published in 1932. Tales of his education in Hertford are retold in 鈥淏iggles Goes To School.鈥

Many of his stories detail his experiences in World War One. He started as a machine gunner but in 1917, joined the Royal Flying Corps. He was eventually captured and taken as a prisoner of war. His family only realised he was alive when he returned home on Christmas Day, 1918.

W E Johns wrote almost 100 books featuring Biggles, which are still in print today.

Location: Cowbridge, Hertford, Hertfordshire SG14 1PN
Image of W E Johns
Photograph courtesy of Hertford Museum

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