Wilcove
Note: This map only shows the position of Wilcove village.
WILCOVE: Balloon Station (also known as TORPOINT)
Military users: RNAS/RAF (Royal Naval Air Service / Royal Air Force)
Kite Balloon Station (Six balloons)
Location: Just N to NNW of Torpoint
Period of operation: 1917 to 1919
NOTES: It appears there were actually two sites for these balloons close together.
I have also found records stating that this site was known as MERIFIELD, and today there is the village of Maryfield just SW of Wilcove. I have also found it said that this site was in DEVON but, being on the west bank of the River Tamar, it is actually in CORNWALL.
The famous Devonport naval base in Plymouth is on the opposite bank, and very much in DEVON of course. Could it be that this was a training facility? It is too far up the estuary to have been of any use as a defensive measure for Devonport. If anybody can kindly offer advice this will be most welcome.
Stephen Luscombe
This comment was written on: 2019-08-12 09:23:28There was actually a balloon station for a short time on the other side of Plymouth on the River Plym in the grounds of Saltram House. It was abandoned when the silt in the river proved to be too much of a burden when airships missed the landing point.
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