BITS AND BOBS OF BOGNOR - DAVID PURLEY
One of a few bits and bobs for you to find around Bognor Regis.
***There is a cycle and footpath here, but it a very busy traffic area. Please take special care if you are not driving to the location***
This is a fairly straightforward cache, with convenient parking a short walk away. It is placed at a memorial to David Purley, son of Charles Purley who co-founded the local company featured in the companion cache GC994EB. David Purley was one of the racing drivers for the company motor racing team (as you do!!!!), formed in the 1970s. He was born in Bognor Regis in 1945, and started his motor racing career at Monaco in 1973, going on to participate in 11 Formula One World Championships in total.
He was awarded the George Medal for his actions attempting to save the life of fellow driver Roger Williamson during the Dutch Grand Prix in 1973. Williamson's car flipped and caught fire in a serious accident which took his life, despite Purley's efforts after leaving his own car to try to help.
Purley was himself badly injured in the 1977 British Grand Prix, when his throttle jammed open and he crashed into a wall. Wikipedia tells us that his deceleration from 108 mph (193 km/h) to 0 in a distance of 26 inches (66 cm) is one of the highest G-loads survived in a crash.
After retiring from motor sport, he took up aerobatics and was often seen flying his Pitts Special biplane in the skies over Bognor. He sadly died on 2 July 1985, when his plane crashed into the sea off Bognor, and he is buried in the churchyard of St Nicholas, West Itchenor, near Chichester.
The memorial references his passion for driving and the engineering background in his life.
The cache is a small camouflaged pot, and should remain attached to its host. You only need to flip the lid for the logsheet; you will need your own pen. Please replace the cache exactly as you find it and ensure it will be watertight. Thank you!