Chelsea’s Lady Mayor who went up in a Hydrogen balloon in Coronation Week 1953 in high winds from the Royal Hospital and ended up in a field in Sussex.

The “Henri Dunant” hydrogen balloon was the biggest in the world and 65 year old Miss Mary Katherine Cook undoubtedly Chelsea’s slightest and smallest elected Lady Mayor ever to agree to such a precarious ascent.

It was Saturday 6th June 1953- part of the Coronation week celebrations.

Most women of her age had enjoyed five years of pension and retirement and were more used to walking their dogs in nearby Burton’s Court or along the Embankment.

The winds were gusting so strong large sand bags of ballast had to be tipped from the wicker passenger basket into the River Thames as the balloon risked crashing into nearby buildings and the tall trees of Battersea Park.

Indeed, the only object separating Mary from her rapid journey through cloud and rain and the fast moving ground of rooftops, power lines, tarmac and countryside below was the creaking walls and floor of mere plliable twigs plaited thickly into the balloon’s gondola.

The “Henri Dunant” did not reach the moon, but certainly flew across London’s southern skyline at a breakneck balloon speed which would have left most of today’s present day generation of hot air imitations mere snails on the horizon.

Mayor Cook had agreed to the stunt for charity. The shaky and uncertain spectacle had drawn thousands to the south grounds of the Royal Hospital more used to hosting the more sedate pace of the Chelsea Flower Show.

The “Henri Dunant” was named after the founder of the Red Cross and it was a significant vessel in the early 1950s ballooning revival.

The pilot, Jan Boasman, was a prominent Dutch balloonist who often used his flights to promote international goodwill and the Red Cross.

The ‘Coronation Souvenir From The Clouds 6th June’ balloon postcard pictured above was part of the fundraising for the Red Cross.

The Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II took place on 2nd June 1956. Four days later Jan Boasman brought the “Henri Dunant” to London as part of the celebrations. The balloon was often touted as the “largest of its type” because it was a traditional spherical gas balloon (using hydrogen rather than hot air) with a massive capacity, of many thousands of cubic metres.

The balloon took off from the grounds of the Royal Hospital in Chelsea because filling a massive balloon with hydrogen required a significant safety perimeter.

The nearby Duke of York’s grounds were more enclosed by buildings and the busy King’s Road. The South Grounds offered a much clearer “runway” toward the River Thames, which was safer if a sudden gust caught the balloon during inflation.

Miss Mary Katherine Cook, the Mayor of Chelsea, was the only dignatory who joined the flight. The weather was deteriorating, with gusty winds and low cloud cover.

Because of the strong winds, the flight was shorter and more turbulent than planned.

They landed on the Surrey and Sussex border. While the landing was described as “precarious” and “bumpy,” everyone aboard survived unscathed, though it was certainly a hair-raising experience for a 65 year old woman who had never been in a balloon before.

In the early 1950s, flying a hydrogen-filled balloon like the “Henri Dunant” was a specialized and inherently risky endeavour, far more so than modern hot-air ballooning.

There were many potential hazards.

The flammability risk was extreme. Hydrogen is highly combustible. While the “Hindenburg” era was over, gas balloons still faced risks from static electricity or friction during landing. A single spark could cause a total loss.

The gas control was manual and needed to be precise. Pilots like Boasman had to manage buoyancy by releasing sand (ballast) to go up or “valving” gas to go down. On a windy day, if you valved too much gas, the balloon could “pancake” and descend too rapidly.

The technology available to manage weather risks was limited. In 1953, pilots relied on basic barometers and radio reports. They couldn’t “see” wind shear or sudden gusts coming as modern pilots do with Doppler radar and GPS.

There were significant risks arising from the structure of the balloon in terms of cotton and silk envelopes. These balloons were usually made of rubberized cotton. They were heavy and could become saturated with rain, adding dangerous weight during a storm—a likely factor in the 1953 flight’s difficulty.

It is fair to ask why the “Henri Dunant” was filled with flammable hydrogen gas. Although helium was known to be safer (non-flammable), it was incredibly expensive and a “strategic material” largely controlled by the United States.

European balloonists like Boasman almost exclusively used hydrogen or “town gas” (coal gas) because it was cheap and provided excellent lift, allowing for the massive size of the Henri Dunant.

The flight of Miss Mary Katherine Cook was seen as a symbol of the “Chelsea spirit.” Taking to the skies in a hydrogen-filled “giant” during high winds was no small feat. It was a time when the spectacle of flight was still a primary way to mark major national milestones.

She was more than fulfilling her civic duty. I would argue she could be seen as a 1953 super-woman who at the age of 65 demonstrated the pluck and courage of a generation of women who had served through the Second World War. Miss Cook had been working at the Admiralty.

Contemporary reports mention that the launch was delayed by several hours due to gusting winds. When they finally lifted off, the balloon was caught by a crosswind that almost blew it into the surrounding buildings, but Boasman’s skill ensured they cleared the rooftops.

The balloon travelled approximately 44 miles south east. The landing in the village of Northchapel on the Surrey and Sussex border was indeed dramatic. Because of the high winds, the basket dragged across several fields before the “rip-panel” (a safety feature to deflate the balloon instantly) could be pulled.

Jan Boasman was a fervent supporter of the International Red Cross. He often used these flights to drop “peace messages” or collect funds. On the Chelsea flight, he reportedly carried a special commemorative scroll which was later presented to the town to mark the Coronation.

This is how the weekly Sunday Dispatch reported the event on 7th June 1953:

“FETE BALLOON’S 44-MILE FLIGHT

The world’s largest hydrogen balloon the Henri Dunant with a Dutch crew of two men and a woman, made a 44-mile flight over Surrey last night.

It began, as part of the Chelsea Coronation Fête programme, in the grounds of the Royal Hospital and ended by dropping in on the small Surrey-Sussex border village of North Chapel.

Belonging to the Hague Balloon Club, the Henri Dunant was inflated with 27,000 cubic feet of hydrogen. There had been hopes that it would take its crew back to Holland. But customs regulations lay down that it must go out the way it came in- by sea.”

Pathé News film on the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II 2nd June 1953

Google satellite map location of the lift-off location

Google Satellite map location of the landing site location– 44 miles to the south sast.

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The weekly West London Press and Chelsea News published a full report for its Friday 12th June 1953 Special Coronation edition:

“CHELSEA’S BALLOON TRIP ENDED IN SUSSEX

Tree-top disaster is averted

THE world’s largest balloon, the “Henri Dunant,” with two men and a woman aboard, narrowly escaped being torn to pieces on the topper-most branches of the trees at the Coronation week fete at Royal Hospital South Grounds.

A sudden gust of wind at take-off swept the balloon dangerously near the trees and the three aeronauts frantically emptied sandbags over the crowd to gain height.

By a matter of feet they cleared the branches and sailed up over the Thames and towards the south—to Sussex.

The balloon was to have made a number of captive ascents but the strong wind proved a too dangerous hazard.

As it was, the final ascent was made several hours late, owing to the difficulty of getting sufficient gas.

The Mayor, Cllr. Miss Cook, the three aeronauts, Mr. and Mrs. John Boesman and Mr. A. Visscher bade “bon voyage” at the take off.

The crowd cheered, waved, and held its breath as the balloon skimmed the tree-tops, showering sand to gain height as it went.

[The article included a small photograph of the balloon over the Royal Hospital under the sub-headline “THEY’RE OFF!” with the photo caption: “Sight familiar to Chelseans last century, restored during Chelsea Week, is seen again during Coronation Week.” The photograph was attributed to “Churcher, Flx (Flaxman) 2828.”]

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BALLET

In the arena the programme had opened with a delightful Tiny Tots’ Coronation Ballet staged by the Violet Ballantine School. Resplendent in naval, military and air force uniforms, the little ones were inspected by their “King and Queen” in magnificent royal robes, and protected by a bodyguard of sword-bearing crusaders.

A comprehensive youth display followed, with representatives of Chelsea’s many organisations taking part.

There were rhythmic and hoop exercises and national dances by girls of the Third Feathers Club under their leader, Mr. D. Elliott, then members of the 124th London Company, Boys Brigade, commanded by Capt. M. Osborne, gave a breath-taking display of pyramids.

A vaulting and keep fit demonstration by girls of the Park Walk L.C.C. Play Centre was followed by the Wolf Cubs opening ceremony and jungle dances.

Boys from the 1st (Holy Trinity) and 5th (Christ Church) Chelsea packs took part.

Their elder brothers in the scouts of the 10th Chelsea (St. Columba’s Church of Scotland) Group performed a “Hindu Crinoline,” after which girls of the 1st and 4th Chelsea Companies of the Life Brigade gave a demonstration of Physical Training.

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FENCING

There was an admirable fencing display by members of Park Walk Institute and a First Aid item by St. John Ambulance Nursing Cadets.

With guardsman like precision, No. 291 Squadron Air Training Corps performed continuity drill followed by athletics, judo, and Irish dancing by the Park Walk Institute Boys from the Oratory Cadet Corps completed the programme by Beating Retreat.

Other arena events included a comic football match between Chelsea Boys’ Club and the Church Army Youth Centre, Scottish dancing by Chelsea Caledonian Society, a basketball match between Chelsea Central B.C. and St. Andrew’s “A” and Club and an Edwardian football match by students from Chelsea Polytechnic.

There was an historic cycle parade staged by Carlyle Cycling Club. Welsh folk dances by members of the London Welsh Association, and square dancing.

One of the most crowd-drawing items was a demonstration by the Women’s League of Health and Beauty.

Outside the arena, all the fun of the fair was to be had for a few coppers.

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‘SIR BEN’

Mr. and Mrs. Eric Schoolar and Mr. Bill Hart did a roaring trade giving kiddies rides on their coal-fired locomotive “Sir Ben” while Mrs. Gladys Clarke and her daughter Jennifer ran an exciting scenic railway.

Members of St. Simon’s Youth Club invited the public to “bash the beacon” while the Inner Wheel Club held out promises of fantastic wealth to be had in their treasure hunt.

There was a delightful smell of cooking from a mobile field kitchen manned by the 327 County of London Battalion W.R.A.C., who sold hot dogs for the reasonable price of 4d.

Messrs. Ely and Morris of the British Legion tempted the youngsters on to the revolving horse while barkers from the Chelsea Rotary Club proclaimed the merits of their numerous stalls. They deserve special praise for the many attractions they provided for the fete including coco-nut shies, roll-a-penny, and many other games of chance.

There were slides and climbing games for the children and dancing in the evening.

Some 30 miles away in Sussex, “Henri Dunant” had come down in a field.”

The West London Press and Chelsea News did not publish any follow-up interview with the lady Mayor Miss Cook.

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Do we have some idea of what Mayor Mary Katherine Cook saw from her balloon after its dramatic ascent from the Royal Hospital grounds.

There is no evidence anyone on board was able to take any photographs. They were most likely holding onto ropes with white knuckle clenches.

However, a couple of weeks before Coronation Week, the south grounds of the Royal Hospital had hosted the Chelsea Flower Show and an aeroplane took pictures which have been archived and made available by Britain From Above.

It is now possible to use Artificial Intelligence to colourize these photographs so that in 2026 we can be provided with a more accurate representation of what Miss Cook and the crew of the “Henri Dunant” could actually see in the afternoon of Saturday 6th June 1953. The poor weather on this day may mean the view presented in the Chelsea Flower Show aerial images may not have been so good.

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Miss Mary Katherine Mary Cook was one of Chelsea’s most popular and hard-working councillors and elected Mayors in the late 1940s and early 1950s. She was re-elected for a second year as Mayor for the Coronation Year 1953 because of her successful record in local government.

In her first year she had attended 250 functions- more than one every other day.

She would pass away in Sevenoaks Hospital in February 1960. She was 72 years old. The then present Mayor of Chelsea, Councillor Miss Katherine Acland, and past Mayors attended her funeral at Putney Crematorium.

Miss Cook had been a well known Chelsea personality since 1940 when she first came to the borough. At the time she was serving on the administration staff of the Admiralty which was followed by four years at the headquarters of the Citizens Advice Bureau.

Her social work in the borough started in 1944.

She then joined Chelsea Conservative Association and became a member of the executive committee of the Women’s Auxiliary Branch of the Association.

A year later she was elected a councillor for Church Ward and was returned in May 1949.

In 1951 Miss Cook was elected Deputy Mayor and a year later became Mayr.

She was in in office for two years when she was greatly liked throughout the borough.

As a councillor committees she served on were Law and Parliamentary, Staff and General Purposes, Civil Defence and Housing on which she was at one time chairman.

She was also one of the council’s representatives on the Old People’s Welfare Committee, the Body of Trustees of the Non-Ecclesiastical Charities and the Board of Governors of the Westminster and Sutton Valance Schools.

For many years she lived in Swan Court, Chelsea Manor Street, until she moved to Sevenoaks.

She was born in Winchester, the daughter of a housemaster of Winchester College, and was educated at Winchester School for Girls.

She served on many local committees in Hampshire and was a Justice of the Peace for the City of Winchester from 1928 to 1940.

In a tribute Mr James Brookson, who was secretary during the time she was Mayor, said “She was a wonderful person and was very popular.”

“She had a very good approach and understanding of human problems and brought added dignity to the office of Mayor.

Her death has been a great shock to everyone.”

Getty Images have three archved photographs with rights for sale of the “Henri Dunant” balloon taken in Zürich, Switzerland in 1952 and the third features the balloon’s pilot John (Jan) Boasman.

Start of the ballon “Henri Dunant”, Zürich 1952 (Photo by RDB/ullstein bild via Getty Images)

Start of the ballon “Henri Dunant”, Zürich 1952 Start of the ballon “Henri Dunant”, Zürich 1952 (Photo by RDB/ullstein bild via Getty Images)

Start of the ballon “Henri Dunant”, Zürich 1952 (Photo by RDB/ullstein bild via Getty Images)

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Special thanks to Karen White and Chris Pain whose families lived in Chelsea during World War Two, and Malachy John McCauley, also brought up in Chelsea, who have very kindly encouraged and assisted my research. Special thanks to Marja Giejgo for editorial assistance. Research and archive facilities from Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea Council library services, The Imperial War Museum and National Archives at Kew.

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