helping to restore the childhood home of World War II hero Sir Douglas Bader.

Restoration takes off at air ace
LEADING Sheffield-based roofers Martin-Brooks are helping to restore the childhood home of World War II hero Sir Douglas Bader.

Martin-Brooks’ heritage experts are undertaking a complete roof refurbishment at Sprotbrough Rectory near Doncaster to return the building to its original splendour.
The grade II listed property was bought recently by a local businessman who commissioned Martin-Brooks to complete the re-roof. The firm is renowned for its work on historic buildings and the skills of its heritage craftsmen. For this project natural stone slates and traditional lead work were used to retain the rectory’s character and original appearance.
Sir Douglas Bader was born in 1910 and lived at Sprotbrough Rectory during his childhood with his mother and stepfather Bill Hobbs, the local rector. He gained recognition as one of the RAF’s ace fighter pilots during the Second World War, despite losing his legs in an air crash when just 21. He was awarded a knighthood for his work with the disabled in 1976 and died in 1982.
Dale Wright, Martin-Brooks’ contracts director, said: “Sprotbrough Rectory is a sizeable property and completing an entire re-roof has been no small task. It has involved the use of specialist skills and equipment but I am pleased to say our roofers rose to the challenge. It is a pleasure to be part of the team charged with restoring this beautiful rectory and I am sure our clients will enjoy the satisfaction of preserving this historic building for generations to come.”