Percy Lambert: Fastest Man

The grave of the first man to cover 100 miles in 1 hour.

Location: Brompton Cemetary, Brompton, Kensington

Description: This humble monument is the tombstone of the grave of the first man to cover 100 miles in one hour.

The record was set at Brooklands on 15 February 1913 when driving his 4.5 litre sidevalve Talbot - he actually covered 103 miles and 1470 yards in sixty minutes.

Percy E. Lambert was a legendary racing driver at Brooklands race track at the start of the 20th century. He was killed attempting to regain his land speed record when his tyre burst causing a terrible crash. This happened two weeks before Percy was due to marry his fiancee and give up racing.

He was buried in a streamlined coffin to match his car here - his epitaph reads: A modest friend, a fine gentleman and a thorough sportsman. The first man to cover 100 miles in one hour. Killed by accident at Brooklands Motor Racing Track whilst attempting further records.

Ghost stories seem to follow Mr. Lambert, Brooklands in Surrey is subject to the stories as is this area around his grave!

Themes: Grave Grave Theme