Oakwood
OAKWOOD: Temporary Landing Ground and crash site (Aka HAYWARDS HEATH)
NOTES: We have Mr Michael Holder, a great friend of this 'Guide' to thank for unearthing this site and so much additional information regarding aviation in 1911.
Note: This map and pictures were provided by Mike Holder
Account from London Daily News, Wednesday 10th May 1911.
AVIATORS' ESCAPE
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Mr. Morrison and a Friend Rescued from a Tree.
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HAYWARDS HEATH, Tuesday Night
"Mr. Oscar Morrison, the well-known aviator, had a narrow escape from a serious accident here to-night. Mr. Morrison arrived here from Shoreham yesterday on his biplane, and arranged to return to-night. A start was made about half-past seven, Mr. Gordon England travelling in the machine as passenger."
"The aeroplane had only just started its flight, however, when the engine suddenly stopped, and the biplane came down rapidly at the edge of a wood near the railway line. The crowd who had watched the ascent ran to the spot expecting to find the aviators seriously injured. On their arrival, however, they found that the aeroplane had not reached the ground, the wings having been caught in the branches of an oak. The aviators, who were uninjured, were rescued by means of ladders. The biplane was considerably damaged."
My note: Thankfully I never had to make such a choice, never having had an engine fail. Obviously a nice big suitable field is always the best option, but, over the years, pilots with a failed engine, making a controlled flight into trees nearly always seem to escape with no or only minor injuries.
Another report in the Mid-Sussex Times, published on Tuesday 16th May, covers the same story but adds that the purpose of the flight was to attend and participate in the Shorehan to Roedean air race the following day. It also mentions that the aircraft was taken down by, "....the Bristol Company's mechanics." Therefore it was a type generally known these days as a Bristol Boxkite.
However, I think the following is of some interest, as it proves that not everybody was a keen fan of having an aeroplane visit - as so many were in those days:
"Whether the public will be permitted to witness at Oakwood further flying exhibitions is a question which the law, perhaps, will be called upon to settle. The owners of Oakwood have not taken kindly to Mr. England's enterprise, and have warned him through their solicitor.......that such a meeting or exhibition as took place on the 7th inst. is against the covenants of his lease, and should he resolve to hold a similar exhibition an injunction would be applied for to restrain him from a further breach of his covenants."
The use of language is, to us today, rather quaint. As far as can be found, there is no evidence that Morrison and England had any intention of holding an "exhibition", the purpose of the flight being, it seems, purely a social visit. However, as so much other evidence proves, the unexpected arrival of an aeroplane in those days very quickly resulted in crowds of spectators arriving at the scene.
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Mike Holder also discovered this account from the 'Globe' published on Friday the 7th July. This changes the circumstances somewhat and maybe Oscar Morrison and or Gordon England might have made some local flights to entertain the crowds whilst at OAKWOOD? Of a purely non-commercial nature?
AEROPLANE TOURING.
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JOURNEY OF THREE AVIATORS: A CONVENT INCIDENT
"Messrs. Fleming and Pizey started from the flying ground, St Lawrence, Ventnor, (My note: Isle of Wight), early to-day for Bristol. Mr. Fleming had a mishap last night at Ventnor. His machine came down heavily, running dangerously near the cliff edge. He was unhurt, but the machine was damaged."
"Messrs. Fleming and Pizey are the aviators who set out on a Bristol biplane last Saturday on a tour in the South of England. They descended at Basingstoke for breakfast, and, resuming, passed over Farnborough, descending again at Brooklands. Reaching Rochester, they were joined by Mr. Gordon England, flying thence on Sunday, to Shoreham."
NOW THE CONNECTION
"Mr. England incidentally made a little trip to Haywards Heath, where his home is. Owing to a high wind, he was forced to make a rather abrupt descent, which landed him in the grounds of a convent, where, to use his own expression, he "met with a hostile reception, but with the assistance of a small army of men the offending machine was lifted from the convent grounds to Mr. England's own field."
WHAT ARE WE TO MAKE OF ALL THIS?
As the saying goes, "Please don't shoot me - I'm only the messenger!" Inaccurate reporting for the press and media is of course a long held and jealously guarded preserve, especially it seems in England at least. The story must lead! Facts aren't important. A tad too cynical - perhaps? So do forgive me for leaving it up to you to pick the bones out of these reports.
Speaking of which, the following article in the 'Globe' may well be of interest. It certainly surprised me.
ROYAL AERO CLUB AND CITY FLIGHT
"As we stated would be the case yesterday, the Royal Aero Club are taking action in regard to Mr. Gilmours flight through London. We have to-day received the following letter:-
Dear Sir, - In view of the reported flight of an aviator on the 5th inst. between the hours of 6 and 7 p.m. over populated districts near the river and the Houses of Parliament, and of the denial of this statement by the aviator, who claims that his flight was over the centre of the river only, the Royal Aero Club desires to receive statements of eye-witnesses on the subject. - Yours faithfully, Harold E. Perrin, Secretary (Royal Aero Club).
IN DEFENSE
The 'Globe' then added this statement: "Mr. Gilmour, defending his flight, says he followed the river all the way. He began along the Thames near Brooklands, and followed the course of the river right through London. He did not go around St. Paul's Cathedral, and, he continues: "I saw the members of Parliament running about on the terrace, and went round in a circle for their benefit; but kept over the river all the time."
Therefore as we now know, but most probably not known at the time, this is - to coin a technical term - bullshit. Or is it? Perhaps I am showing my ignorance?
The Thames at that point, with fortified embankments on both sides, is 250 metres wide. We don't know what type of aeroplane Gilmour was flying but taking for example a Bristol 'Boxkite' type with a top speed of 40mph (64km/h) and with a reasonable breeze, kicking it round by rudder alone, (balanced turns using bank were pretty much unknown in those days it seems), he may well have been telling the truth.
If anybody with experience of flying the Bristol Boxkite or similar types can kindly offer advice, this will be most welcome. What chance?
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