Southbourne Aerodrome
SOUTHBOURNE: Civil aerodrome (Known as SOUTHBOURNE AERODROME)
Note: These two fabulous maps were sent to me in May 2016 by Stephen Robson, the Chairman of the Charles Rolls Memorial Trust. They are captioned "From Pat Smith", so we clearly also have Pat to thank for providing these rare and valuable images.
Joy rides: Mr S. Summerfield (?) and perhaps also the Bournemouth Aviation Co?
Location: In Southborne roughly 2 to 3nm E of Bournemouth town centre
Period of operation: Used in 1910 and again in 1920? And probably in between times?
NOTES: It appears that when operational SOUTHBOURNE was then in HAMPSHIRE but is now DORSET.
I have seen a picture of a Hanriot monoplane about to take off at ‘Bournemouth’ dated 1910 and this was either taken at SOUTHBOURNE or WALLIS DOWN. I wonder if it’s now possible to determine if Mr Summerfield and the Bournemouth Aviation Co did use this site?
In those days the Bournemouth Aviation Co were, it seems, based at WINTON (Aka ETCHES/TALBOT VILLAGE) aerodrome. After WW1 Bournemouth Aviation in the 1920 summer season, used five AVRO 504Ks around the area but was SOUTHBOURNE still in use? The five main 504Ks used by Bournemouth Aviation were G-EADR, G-EAHK, G-EARZ, G-EASA and G-EASB. These aircraft were almost certainly used for flying from several seashore sites along the South Coast
A MICHAEL T HOLDER GALLERY
In October 2021 Mike Holder discovered these pictures of the 1910 Aviation Meeting held here from the 11th to the 16th July 1910, and published in Flight magazine on the 14th April 1927.
It appears that the third picture was taken when the Hon. C. S. Rolls was competing in the slow flying competition on his Wright biplane, built by the Short brothers on the Isle of Sheppy. It has been scanned from The History of British Aviation by R Dallas Brett.
Note: I have no idea what the term 'slight planes' means, but perhaps more likely, light and small aeroplanes as compared to airships?
The fourth picture of a Humber monoplane clearly shows it was a copy of a Blériot design. The fifth picture shows, (left), Grahame-White on his Farman flying in the distance contest, and Cecil Grace (right), competing for the altitude prize.
A PIONEER 'AVIATION MEETING' AND TRAGEDY
This was the site for the “International Aviation Meeting” held on 11th to 16th July 1910. The “International” part being that five foreign pilots competed. It was at this meeting on July 11th that the Hon Charles Stewart Rolls, (the Rolls in Rolls-Royce), was killed in a flying accident. The first person in the UK to die in a flying accident.
One account of the location says it took place, “on a specially prepared landing ground.” I have previously stated; "So I suppose it is reasonably safe to assume this site did later become the SOUTHBOURNE aerodrome used after WW1?": However, Stephen Robson tells me that this is not the case. But, if you look below, the later aerodrome was very close indeed, and might well include in the NW corner, the 1910 site.
A LATER HISTORY
These maps and pictures were provided by Mr Michael T Holder, a great friend of this 'Guide'.
NOTES: It appears that Sir Alan Cobham's National Aviation Day 1934 Tour displayed here on the 7th July.
It also seems that Sir Alan Cobham's National Aviation Day No.1 Tour performed here on the 6th July 1935.
Were these just one-off events, or was this area used as a Landing Ground by others? Perhaps not as there were several other established aerodromes fairly nearby.
EXTRA INFO
A memorial to Charles Rolls has been erected at HENGISTBURY HEAD, next to the Hiker Cafe. This can be seen in my article, 'British aviation museums, gate guardians and memorials'.
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