First World War landing ground and flight station, 'Goldhanger Airfield', at Goldhanger (EHER 16684)

The site of the First World War airfield of Goldhanger which was operational from 1915-1919. Initially a night landing ground used by the Royal Navy Air Service from 1915-16, it became a flight station for 37 Squadron of the Royal Flying Corps. The airfield closed in 1919 and the buildings were demolished or dismantled. In 1922 four aeroplane sheds were dismantled and sold to a local factory. Nothing remains of the airfield, however the dismantled aeroplane sheds are now in Brooklands Museum, Weybridge. The air station covered an area of less than 100 acres and was unusual as a farm was located in the middle of it. There were a number of facilities on the airfield, including 24 structures on the western edge. Four of these were aeroplane sheds.

1997. Field survey. A WWI landing ground existed SW of the village used by 37 Sqn RFC. "Aerodrome Bungalow" was built on the site of the airfield in the style of contemporary airfield buildings but is itself awaiting demolition. <1> Airfield, a night landing ground for the Royal Navy Air Service from 1915 to 1916 it was reassigned to 37 Sqn RFC and remained in service as a flight station, the only example less than 100 acres in extent, until 1919. The landing ground was unusual in that Gardeners Farm was sited in the centre. Some 24 structures were built on the western edge of the site including four aeroplane sheds. These sheds survived the demolition of the rest of the buildings in 1919, being dismantled in 1922 and parts sold to Crittal's factory at Silver End (these have now been acquired by the Brooklands Museum at Weybridge). <2> This was one of the more important WWI airfields in the county, being a flight station with permanent buildings rather than an occasional landing field. There are no structural remains of the flight station and although some fragments may survive below ground they will be of little archaeological value. The field boundary, however, can still be traced and Gardeners Farm remains. <3> NRHE data transfer: Goldhanger airfield from June 1916 - June 1919. <4> The Church of St George (EHER 46200) was bought by the Bentalls family in 1920 in memory of their son who died in the First World War. The wooden building was originally the Sergeants's mess at the First World War airfield of Goldhanger. <5> NRHE summary description: The site of the First World War airfield of Goldhanger which was operational from 1915-1919. Initially a night landing ground used by the Royal Navy Air Service from 1915-16, it became a flight station for 37 Squadron of the Royal Flying Corps. The airfield closed in 1919 and the buildings were demolished or dismantled. In 1922 four aeroplane sheds were dismantled and sold to a local factory. Nothing remains of the airfield, however the dismantled aeroplane sheds are now in Brooklands Museum, Weybridge. The air station covered an area of less than 100 acres and was unusual as a farm was located in the middle of it. There were a number of facilities on the airfield, including 24 structures on the western edge. Four of these were aeroplane sheds.