Thornaby flying sites
Note: This map shows the location of the WW2 airfield, which I believe was in a different location to the WW1 site.
THORNABY: Early display of flying
NOTES: There is evidence which appears to show that the first aviation event in Thornaby took place in 1912. The story is that a Mr Matthew Young of Vale Farm was paid 100 Gold Sovereigns for use of a field for an air display on a Saturday in June or July..
In late 2016 an on-line currency converter stated that 100 Gold Sovereigns would have an equivalent value of £10,623, an enormous sum for use of a field for just a day it may seem. However, the star attraction was Gustave Hamel, a major 'super star' at the time. He was probably flying a Blériot XI monoplane, a type he certainly favoured flying in 1911 and 1912.
Thousands of spectators would be expected to turn up and clearly the money making opportunities for local businessmen would be considerable. I do not know if it applied here, but it was usual for a display of flying to be declared a substantial civic event with a Gala banquet at the town hall in the evening.
Indeed, in many towns, even if the display featured just one pilot and 'machine', (as aeroplanes were called), fell on a weekday - it was quite common for a public holiday to be announced. It is perhaps hard to imagine today the immense prestige that these events had in those days and Hamel travelled with a sizeable entourage. Sometimes he flew between venues if not too far apart and the weather was relatively benign, but often an advance party with a second machine was sent ahead by rail to prepare and assemble it for the next scheduled display.
The name Gustav Hamel appears many times in this 'Guide' and I would highly recommend giving it a 'Google'. Also, if the subject is of interest, Henri Salmet was of similar status.
THORNABY: Military Landing Ground (also known as YARM)
Military users: RFC/RAF (Royal Flying Corps / Royal Air Force)
36 (Home Defence) Sqdn
Note: 36 Squadron were based at CRAMLINGTON (NORTHUMBERLAND) and flew a variety of aircraft, such as: Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2s, B.E.12s and F.E.2bs. Also Armstrong-Whitworth F.K.8s, Bristol Scouts, Avro 504Ks, Sopwith Pups and Bristol F.2B Fighters. I do not know how many of these types would have been seen here.
Location: Foggins Field, near the centre of Thornaby-on-Tees, about 0.5nm W of the A19 (See notes below)
Period of operation: 1916 to 1919
Site area: 34 acres 329 x 411 grass
NOTES: Very often I have looked up the map co-ordinates for a given WW1 flying site, only to find it full of dense housing today. This site is an exception in that it is now allottments. Sometimes it is hard to imagine what is must have been like for those serving at, or flying from or into in those far off days.
Just looking at a modern map it might seem strange that this Landing Ground was also known as YARM. Looked at from a modern perspective surely Eaglescliffe or even Egglescliffe, let alone Ingleby Barwick, would seem far more sensible naming options? But, in those days this was all open countryside with small villages and Yarm was probably the nearest to approach being a town.
In WW2 the airfields, certainly in a rural location, derived their name from the nearest facility with a telegraph - which explains why sometimes the airfield 'name' is a village some distance away. Did this also apply in WW1?
MORE INFORMATION
In December 2016 I was very kindly contacted by Maureen Norrie on behalf of Teeside Archaeological Society who have been involved in tracing the existing remains of WW1 buildings etc for a project.
She told me that so far it appears that the WW1 aerodrome was on Foggins Field, on the east side of the A1045 and in an area shown on old maps as Thornaby Vale. This would place it either partially on the northern part of the WW2 airfield or just north of it. Also, the site in 2016, is still called Foggins Field.
THORNABY: Military aerodrome
Note: This picture was kindly provided by Mr Michael T Holder
Military users: RAF
Inter-war: RAF Bomber Command
106 Sqdn (Avro Ansons & Handley Page Hampdens)
WW2: RAF Bomber Command
106 Sqdn (Ansons & Hampdens)
RAF Coastal Command 18 (GR) Group
220 Sqdn (Avro Ansons, later Lockheed Hudsons)
608 (North Riding) Sqdn (Avro Ansons & Blackburn Bothas)
279 & 281 (ASR) Sqdns (Vickers Warwicks)
No.1 (Coastal) OTU (Operational Training Unit)
Post 1945: 92 Sqdn (Gloster Meteors)
608 Sqdn R.Aux.A.F. (DH Vampires)
275 (Air-Sea Rescue) Sqdn (Auster AOP.5s, Hillers, Bristol Sycamores)
Location: SSE of Thornaby on Tees, 2nm SW of Middlesborough
Period of operation: 1928 to 1958
Runways: WW2: 04/22 1811x46 hard 17/35 1280x46 hard
10/28 1289x46 hard
NOTES: Just a teeny-weeny point I know, but why were two of these runways very slightly different in length from the normal standard lengths according to ‘official’ records? Was it just due to somebody being very diligent and actually measuring the runways? I have often wondered how frequently this may have happened after runways have been constructed or laid out.
Here again THORNABY is another fairly rare example of a reasonably important road, (the A1045), being closed to through traffic for aerodrome construction in WW2 - part of the aerodrome was built across this road. I have no doubt many local people were incensed by this happening. A point of view I can easily identify with.
AIR-SEA RESCUE
THORNABY was a significant base for Air-Sea Rescue and it seems appropriate to quote this from Air Commodore Graham Pitchforks authoritative history of the Service Shot Down and in the Drink: “In September, (My note – 1943), Fighter Command suggested the reorganization of ASR squadrons. Up to this time Fighter Command were only responsible for rescue within 40 miles of the coast, with Coastal Command responsible outside this area.
After discussions it was agreed in February 1944 that Fighter Command (now renamed Air Defence of Great Britain Command – ADGB) should be responsible for rescue in areas opposite enemy-held coasts, where fighter cover and escorts were often a necessary requirement for rescue operations. The area roughly enclosed a line from Southwold in Suffolk to the Hook of Holland, through the English Channel, and a line from Land’s End to Ushant. Coastal Command was responsible for all other areas.
The latter were to have three squadrons of Warwicks and one of Hudsons, each with 20 aircraft and operating from Bircham Newton, Thornaby, Tiree and Davidstow Moor. In addition, 269 (Met) Squadron based at Lagens in the Azores had been re-formed on 1 January 1944 to include an ASR Flight of six Hudsons and three Walrus. Until sufficient Warwicks were available to form Coastal Command’s fourth squadron, it was agreed that Ansons should remain in the ASR squadrons of ADGB.”
My note: BIRCHAM NEWTON is in NORFOLK, TIREE on the Isle of Tiree ARGYLLSHIRE and DAVIDSTOW MOOR is in CORNWALL.
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