Runwell
Note: Originally I made this observation:This map is only my estimate of the location. If anybody can be kind enough to either confirm this, or provide a more precise position, this advice will be most welcome.
In April 2017 I was kindly contacted by Geoff Whiter, (see Comments under the Swan Lane entry), so this map is now more accurate. However, thanks to the Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust, when looking at this entry again in 2020, I now believe the location is pinned.
RUNWELL: Military Landing Ground
Note: These two pictures were obtained from Google Earth ©
Military users: RFC (Royal Flying Corps) and RAF (Royal Air Force)
37 Sqdn [Home Defence] (Royal Aircraft Factory BE.12s, and possibly Sopwith Camels later?)
61 Sqdn [Home Defence] (Sopwith Pups)
Location: N of Runwell, E of the A130, about 1.5nm N of Wickford town centre
Period of operation: 1917 to 1919
Site area: 32 acres 366 x 457 grass
NOTES: I know I’ve said it before elsewhere, but I think it deserves saying again in this instance. I am still astonished that so many Night Landing Grounds in WW1 were little bigger, if at all, than modern airfields used by microlight types, or perhaps STOL types like Piper Cubs etc. Who today would consider such small airfields suitable for night use?
MORE INFORMATION
In early October 2023 I was kindly contacted by Mr Clive Burkinshaw who found this information at: https://www.gazette-news.co.uk/news/5514372.south-essex-flying-into-the-field-of-conflict/
"The old landing strip was aligned roughly north to south, in line with the church tower of St Mary's, Runwell. Hedges here were grubbed up and replaced by false hedges. Servicemen were on hand to roll up the hedges, to allow aircraft to fly off, then roll them out until the planes returned. No squadrons were based here. Its main and much needed purpose was to provide an emergency landing-strip for patrolling aircraft."
"Every night, a double row of burning paraffin barrels would illuminate the strip.'The sight of those flares on a winter's night were always a relief,' said one pilot, flying out of Hornchurch. 'They meant at least one more day of life.' RFC Runwell was manned by a trio of despatch riders. They were equipped with motor-bikes to carry messages of any aircraft that came down on their strip, and rifles, to arrest any enemy pilots who dropped in."
"The airfield was never attacked. The only casualty recorded at RFC Runwell occurred after the war, when an amateur pilot took his arm off while turning a propeller. This incident put an end to aviation on the site. The strip was ploughed, and the hedges replanted."
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