Beverley Aerodrome

This article is about The World War I aerodrome at Beverley. Not to be confused with Beverley/Linley Hill Airfield.

Beverley Aerodrome
Beverley Westwood
Beverley, East Riding of Yorkshire in England
A black and white vertical aerial image of the airfield hangars, taken in 1917
RFC Training Depot Station No.36, (Beverley 1917).
The line on the left is the road to York; north is towards the right
Beverley Aerodrome Beverley Westwood is located in East Riding of Yorkshire
Beverley Aerodrome Beverley Westwood
Beverley Aerodrome
Beverley Westwood
Coordinates53°50′35″N 0°27′25″W / 53.843°N 0.457°W / 53.843; -0.457
Grid referenceTA018398
TypeMilitary aerodrome
Area229 acres (93 ha)
Site information
OwnerAir Ministry
OperatorRoyal Flying Corps
Royal Air Force
Controlled by8th Wing
Open to
the public		As racecourse site only
Site history
Built1915 (1915)
In use1916-1920 (for flying use)
FateReturned to racing
Garrison information
OccupantsSee list
Airfield information
Elevation100 feet (30 m) AMSL
Runways
Direction Length and surface
 Grass

Beverley Aerodrome, was a First World War era Royal Flying Corps training depot (No. 36), in Bishop Burton, East Riding of Yorkshire, England. The site, like many others in Yorkshire, was developed from a racecourse on the western edge of Beverley, along the road between Beverley and York. Initially set up as a location for squadrons employed in Home Defence (HD), particularly preventing Zeppelin attacks on Hull and the east coast, the site later became a training depot for squadrons and flights who would then deploy to the front line. Beverley was also used as a standing up and transfer location for six Canadian Reserve Squadrons in 1917, all of which were posted to Canada. Beverley Aerodrome was used between 1916 and 1920, with the RAF later using the site in the 1930s in a non-flying role.

Although named as Beverley, and occupying a large part of the racecourse site, the hangars and technical area of Beverley Aerodrome were actually located in the parish of Bishop Burton.

History

In 1915, the Air Ministry gave notice to Beverley Town Council that it would be requisitioning 179 acres (72 ha) of land at Beverley Racecourse and they should be prepared for that by administering the necessary water and sewerage concerns.[1] Commandeering Beverley Racecourse for an aerodrome was common Royal Flying Corps practice at that time, other similar aerodromes in Yorkshire at Doncaster, Hedon, Knavesmire, Redcar, and Ripon, had all been located on racecourses.[2][3][4] The siting of an air station at the racecourse involved closing the adjacent public road which ran between Beverley and York. Sentries were posted at the western and eastern ends of the road to check passes of people using the right of way where the road trails along the southern edge of the racecourse. The flying area was to the north and west of the racecourse, with the hangarage and technical area to the south and west, which placed it inside the parish of Bishop Burton.[5] The site was on a common area known as Westwood, which led to the aerodrome being sometimes listed as Beverley Westwood.[6][7][8][9] Initially, the take for the site covered 179 acres (72 ha), with a landing area measuring 1,150 yards (1,050 m) by 600 yards (550 m).[10] However, a further 50 acres (20 ha) was also taken to the North Western edge of the racecourse to facilitate a larger landing and take-off area.[1]

The first squadron at the aerodrome was No. 47 Squadron, which stood up on 1 March 1916,[1] with the direction of the defence of East Yorkshire and Hull from Zeppelin attacks.[11] On the night of 5/6 March 1916, at least three Zeppelins attacked the East Riding area, including Beverley town, but 47 Sqn were not prepared enough to combat the threat.[12] Later the same month, No. 33 Squadron were moved to Bramham Moor as the HQ, with flights dispersed across northern England, including one at Beverley ('C Flight').[13] The role of 33 Sqn at Beverley was the same as No. 47 Squadron; to protect the Humber ports against Zeppelin attacks.[14] Both squadrons found themselves in action on the night of 1/2 April 1916, when again, Zeppelin attacks threatened northern England. One BE2C of 47 Sqn was lost during the confrontation, but this was attributed to engine failure.[15]

The defensive patrols continued, and aircraft from Beverley were in action again on the night of 2/3 May 1916. However, the long summer nights were free from Zeppelin attacks and a rethink of aircraft allocation saw a focus on fighting on the Western Front. So whilst No. 33 Sqn stayed at the base for the time being, their aircraft numbers on the squadron dropped from eighteen to six.[16] However, 47 Sqn spent only six months training before departing for Devonport in September 1916, and then sailing for Salonika in Greece.[17]

A month after No. 47 Squadron left, 'C Flight' of No. 33 Squadron departed for Elsham.[18] This left Beverley without an operational squadron until January 1917,[19] when No. 82 Squadron formed at Doncaster and moved to Beverley for seven weeks, before moving on again to Waddington on the 30 March 1917.[20] Similarly, No. 80 Squadron arrived with their Camels from Montrose on 27 November 1917, staying for exactly two months, leaving on 27 January 1918 for the Western Front in France.[21]

Non-enemy related crashes occurred, though less so at intensive training airfields such as Redcar, Markse or Bramham Moor. One crash covered widely in the local press was when a biplane crashed into some allotment on Chanterlands Avenue in Hull, killing the pilot.[22]

During January, February, March and April 1917, six Canadian Reserve Squadrons either formed, or passed through Beverley whilst standing up to squadron strength, before being transferred overseas, either to Camp Borden, or Mohawk in Canada. Both 78 and 79 squadrons formed in January 1917, and were sent to Camp Borden, whilst No. 82 Reserve Squadron was formed at Montrose on 20 February 1917, leaving from Beverley one week later for Camp Borden.[23] No. 83 Reserve Squadron formed at Catterick in January 1917, again transiting through Beverley to Mohawk in May 1917, though being listed as not having any aircraft.[24][25] No. 89 Reserve Squadron formed at Turnhouse in March 1917, and left Beverley for Leaside in May of that year. No. 90 Reserve Squadron formed at Doncaster in March 1917, and left for Canada in June 1917.[26]

In January 1918, No. 72 training Squadron were posted in from RFC Wyton in Cambridgeshire. The squadron were flying S.E.5s, Camels, and 504s.[27] The squadron stayed at Beverley until disbandment in March 1919.[28] A survey conducted by the RAF in August 1918 determined that the base had 332 personnel, with 60 of those under training. The base measured 1,150 yards (1,050 m) by 600 yards (550 m), and was 100 feet (30 m) above sea level.[29] Although No. 72 Squadron ceased flying in March 1919, the base remained active until June 1919, and was not placed on the disposal register until November 1920.[21]

Post war

A memorial was erected in the church at Bishop Burton to the 17 airmen[note 1] who died in training accidents at Beverley Aerodrome. The memorial is situated in Bishop Burton as that is the parish where the main part of the base was located (the western edge of the aerodrome).[31][32]

Whilst the site was largely returned to civil use, a small unit belonging to the RAF tested radio telephones at Beverley during the 1930s,[33] and in the Second World War, the technical area including the hangars, was used by the army.[19]

One of the extant buildings at the racecourse site is believed to have built when the aerodrome was in action.[34]

Units

The back of one of the stands at Beverley Racecourse. This is located at what was the hangarage and technical site at Beverley Aerodrome
  This background indicates a Royal Canadian Air Force squadron
Units based at Beverley Aerodrome[35]
Unit Dates Details Ref
No. 33 Squadron 29 March 1916 – 3 October 1916 One flight of aircraft detached from 33 Sqn HQ at Bramham Moor until squadron moved to Gainsborough for its HQ [36]
No. 34 Squadron March 1916 – 15 June 1916 Formed at Castle Bromwich in January 1916, moved to Beverley, then posted to Lilbourne [37][38][39]
No. 36 Reserve Squadron 5 July 1916 – 31 May 1917 Formed at Beverley, redesignated as No. 36 Training Squadron 31 May 1917 [40]
No. 36 Training Squadron 31 May 1917 – 27 November 1917 Formed from No. 36 Reserve Squadron, posted to Montrose [41]
No. 47 Squadron 1 March 1916 – 5 September 1916 Formed at Beverley, posted to Salonika [42]
No. 60 Reserve Squadron 7 April 1917 – 14 April 1917 Posted to Brattleby Aerodrome (RAF Scampton from the Second World War onwards) [43][44]
No. 72 Training Squadron January 1918 – March 1919 Arrived from Wyton, disbanded at Beverley [28][27]
No. 78 Reserve Squadron January 1917 – 15 February 1917 Formed at Beverley, moved to Camp Borden, Canada [21]
No. 79 Reserve Squadron January 1917 – 15 February 1917 Formed at Beverley by redesigning an element of No. 36 Training Squadron, moved to camp Borden, Canada [21]
No. 80 Squadron November 1917[note 2] – 27 January 1918 Arrived from Montrose, posted to Boisdinghem, France [21][45]
No. 82 Squadron 6 February 1917 – 30 March 1917 Arrived from Doncaster, posted to Waddington [20][46][28]
No. 82 Reserve Squadron 20 February 1917 – 27 February 1917 Arrived from Montrose, posted to Canada [41]
No. 83 Reserve Squadron March 1917 Arrived from Catterick, posted to Canada [25]
No. 89 Reserve Squadron April 1917 – May 1917 [28]
No. 90 Reserve Squadron April 1917 – May 1917 [28]

Notable personnel

Notes

  1. ^ Some sources state 18 airmen were killed at Beverley. The IWM link has an image which shows only 17 names, and states this amount to be the correct one.[30]
  2. ^ Actual dates of arrival vary, but most agree the month was November in 1917.[41]

References

  1. ^ a b c Simmons 2009, p. 29.
  2. ^ Halpenny 1982, pp. 64, 96, 99, 155.
  3. ^ Congdon, Philip (1994). Per ardua ad astra: a handbook of the Royal Air Force (2 ed.). Shrewsbury, England: Airlife. p. 6. ISBN 1853104787.
  4. ^ Delve 2006, p. 302.
  5. ^ "Keeping the Home Fires Burning How the First World War was felt in Beverley" (PDF). eastridingmuseums.co.uk. p. 9. Retrieved 6 April 2021.
  6. ^ "Aerial photograph of Beverley Airfield". discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk. Retrieved 7 April 2021.
  7. ^ "Ch3 - Royal Air Force". www.eastridingarchives.co.uk. Retrieved 7 April 2021.
  8. ^ Robinson, Hannah (7 July 2019). "Blow for spectators as Lancaster Bomber flypast 'cancelled'". Hull Live. Retrieved 7 April 2021.
  9. ^ "Why Beverley's common land is among our finest". The Yorkshire Post. 4 June 2019. Retrieved 13 May 2021.
  10. ^ Chorlton 2014, pp. 41–42.
  11. ^ Ashworth, Chris (1989). Encyclopaedia of modern Royal Air Force squadrons. Wellingborough: Stephens. p. 123. ISBN 1-85260-013-6.
  12. ^ Simmons 2009, p. 30–31.
  13. ^ Halley 1980, pp. 64–65.
  14. ^ Philpott 2013, p. 267.
  15. ^ Simmons 2009, p. 31.
  16. ^ Simmons 2009, pp. 32–36.
  17. ^ Halley 1980, p. 82.
  18. ^ Halpenny 1981, p. 81.
  19. ^ a b Delve 2006, p. 288.
  20. ^ a b Halley 1980, p. 120.
  21. ^ a b c d e Chorlton 2014, p. 42.
  22. ^ Campbell, James (20 September 2020). "The tragic plane crash that almost devastated Chanterlands Avenue". Hull Live. Retrieved 13 May 2021.
  23. ^ Lake 1999, p. 169.
  24. ^ Delve 2006, p. 82.
  25. ^ a b Chorlton 2014, p. 211.
  26. ^ Lake 1999, p. 170.
  27. ^ a b Chorlton 2014, p. 30.
  28. ^ a b c d e Simmons 2009, p. 37.
  29. ^ Simmons 2009, p. 37–38.
  30. ^ Simmons 2009, p. 40.
  31. ^ "Beverley Aerodrome 1917 - 1918". iwm.org.uk. Retrieved 6 April 2021.
  32. ^ "Beverley Aerodrome and Bishop Burton – article 1" (PDF). bishopburton.org.uk. p. 1. Retrieved 6 April 2021.
  33. ^ Halpenny 1982, p. 26.
  34. ^ Simmons 2009, p. 28.
  35. ^ "Beverley I - Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust UK". www.abct.org.uk. Retrieved 7 April 2021.
  36. ^ Philpott 2013, p. 401.
  37. ^ Bowyer, Michael J. F. (2010). Action stations revisited. No. 5, Wales and the Midlands. Cheshire: Crecy Publishing. p. 65. ISBN 978-0-85979-111-3.
  38. ^ Halley 1980, p. 66.
  39. ^ Chorlton 2014, p. 207.
  40. ^ Lake 1999, p. 165.
  41. ^ a b c Chorlton 2014, p. 256.
  42. ^ Philpott 2013, pp. 406–407.
  43. ^ "RAF Scampton heritage centre - WORLD WAR 1". rafscamptonheritagecentre.btck.co.uk. Retrieved 7 April 2021.
  44. ^ Lake 1999, p. 168.
  45. ^ Simmons, Geoff (2000). "The Royal Flying Corps at Beverley, 1915-19". The East Yorkshire Historian. 1. East Yorkshire Local History Society: 96. ISSN 1469-980X.
  46. ^ Lake 1999, p. 217.
  47. ^ Drew, George Alexander (1930). Canada's fighting airmen. Toronto: Maclean. p. 263. OCLC 314727025.

Sources

  • Chorlton, Martyn (2014). Forgotten airfields of World War I. Manchester: Crécy. ISBN 9780859791816.
  • Delve, Ken (2006). Northern England: Co. Durham, Cumbria, Isle of Man, Lancashire, Merseyside, Manchester, Northumberland, Tyne & Wear, Yorkshire. Ramsbury: Crowood. ISBN 1-86126-809-2.
  • Halley, James J (1980). The Squadrons of the Royal Air Force. Tonbridge: Air-Britain. ISBN 0-85130-083-9.
  • Halpenny, Bruce Barrymore (1981). Action Stations 2; Military airfields of Lincolnshire and the East Midlands. Cambridge: Stephens. ISBN 0-85059-484-7.
  • Halpenny, Bruce Barrymore (1982). Action stations 4; Military Airfields of Yorkshire. Cambridge: Stephens. ISBN 0-85059-532-0.
  • Lake, Alan (1999). Flying units of the RAF : the ancestry, formation and disbandment of all flying units from 1912. Shrewsbury: Airlife. ISBN 1-84037-086-6.
  • Philpott, I. M. (2005). The Royal Air Force: an encyclopedia of the inter-war years. Barnsley: Pen & Sword Aviation. ISBN 1844151549.
  • Philpott, Ian (2013). The birth of the Royal Air Force. Barnsley: Pen & Sword. ISBN 978-1781593332.
  • Simmons, Geoffrey (2009). East Riding airfields : 1915-1920. Ottringham: Flight Recorder. ISBN 978-0-9545605-9-1.