First World War landing ground at Burnham on Crouch (EHER 19347)

The site of a First World War airfield at Burnham-on Crouch established in 1915 and used until early 1919. It was established for use by Home Defence aircraft in order to defend against Zeppelin attack and as a night flight station. After the war the land reverted back to agricultural use. The small grass landing field covered an area of about 150 acres and there were no permanent buildings. The personnel were billeted in tented accommodation.

1997. First World War Airfields survey. A flight station operational from 1915 for the Royal Navy Air Service, and passed to the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) in 1916, until July 1919 when the site returned to arable farming. At the point the RFC took over, the Eastern boundary was removed to increase the landing ground to 102 acres and give useful landing runs of 750 x 600 yards. The site achieved the status of a 1st Class Home Defence night landing ground when it was designated for use primarily by No. 37 (HD) Squadron in 50th Wing. No permanent facilities of any kind were erected, personnel being provided with tents at the Northern edge of the site near Dammer Wick Farm. <1> 2001. Site assessment. The site remains in agricultural use and some of the WWI boundaries remain. Due to the temporary nature of the WWI occupation it is extremely unlikely that any evidence from this period survives above or below ground. <2> NRHE data transfer: The site of a First World War airfield at Burnham-on Crouch established in 1915 and used until early 1919. It was established for use by Home Defence aircraft in order to defend against Zeppelin attack. After the war the land reverted back to agricultural use. The small grass landing field covered an area of about 150 acres and was initially established by the Royal Navy Air Service (RNAS). Two Bristol TB8s operated from there. The Royal Flying Corps (RFC) took over responsibilities for Home Defence in 1916 and the airfield became a RFC base operating BE type aircraft of 37 Squadron (50th Wing). The airfield was closed in 1919. <3> Burnham First World War flight station was established as a night flight station in 1915 by the RNAS. In 1916 it was taken over the RFC and the No 37 (HD) Squadron of 50th Wing was based there. No permanent buildings were built and personnel were billeted in tents. <4> Note: This information may have come from an earlier version of the webpage <5>.