Site of First World War landing ground at Orsett (EHER 16685)

The site of a First World War Class One night landing ground at Orsett used between 1917 and 1919. A Royal Army Service Corps depot was built on part of the site after the war and the landing ground was used as an emergency airfield in the Second World War. The First World War airfield had no permanent facilities and was probably not occupied permanently. It covered an area of 80 acres and consisted of a grass field with various landing flares, ground signals and tented accommodation. The airfield was one of a network of similar small landing grounds that was used by 78 Squadron Royal Flying Corps for home defence duties. A Royal Army Service Corps depot and AA batteries were built on the airfield after the First World War and the site was used as an emergency landing ground in the Second World War. The site reverted back to agricultural use and is now partly covered by housing and the western half is a gravel quarry.

This was a first class landing ground operated between 1917-1919 used by 78 Squadron RFC on home defence duties. The site covered 80 acres; no permanent buildings were erected. <1> The landing ground had two entrances via the A13 and A128. The 'Red Lion' garage being the former Flight Service Station. Prior to the Second World War a Royal Army Service Corps camp was built, AA batteries were installed (possibly TQ 636826 / TQ 635827) <2> Site Assessment: Produce photographic record of any surviving structures prior to development. WWI buildings are rare. Investigate WWII installations (see map in <2>). A Class One night landing ground, covering 80 acres, allocated to 78 Squadron Royal Flying Corps for home defence duties, operational from October 1916 to December 1919. Landing flares and ground signals were displayed, but the site saw little use and no buildings appear to have been erected. The site saw use as an emergency landing ground in WWII and post war a Royal Army Service Corps depot was built on the southern half of the old landing ground <3>. The eastern half of WWI landing ground is now housing, while the western half is a gravel quarry. There is unlikely to be any surviving remains of WWI activity here. <4>. NRHE data import: The site of a First World War Class One night landing ground at Orsett used between 1917 and 1919. A Royal Army Service Corps depot was built on part of the site after the war and the landing ground was used as an emergency airfield in the Second World War. The First World War airfield had no permanent facilities and was probably not occupied permanently. It covered an area of 80 acres and consisted of a grass field with various landing flares, ground signals and tented accommodation. The airfield was one of a network of similar small landing grounds that was used by 78 Squadron Royal Flying Corps for home defence duties. A Royal Army Service Corps depot and AA batteries were built on the airfield after the First World War and the site was used as an emergency landing ground in the Second World War. The First World War airfield had no permanent facilities was probably not occupied permanently. It consisted of a grass field with tented accommodation. The airfield was one of a network of similar small landing grounds that was used by 78 Squadron Royal Flying Corps for home defence duties. The site reverted back to agricultural use. <5>