Neil Clark Posted 9 June , 2007 Share Posted 9 June , 2007 Now that the weather has improved (and is improving)... I thought it would be nice to annoy the other half and suggest a "run out" to the country. Where better to visit than the former WW1 airfield at Joyce Green? The last time I was in the area I found a long road in Dartford called Joyce Green Lane. I followed this lane for a couple of miles only to find a gate blocking further progress. I didn't have the time to carry on walking. Would any of you "fly boy" enthusiasts be able and prepared to tell me exactly where the airfield was located? Jimmy McCudden's book "Flying Fury" states the airfield (where he and the likes of Mannock VC spent much time) was below sea level at the side of the Thames. I have had a look on "Google Earth" of the general area. Herewith a couple of stills showing the area. I have noticed a few old marks in the fields and have attached a yellow pin where I think the airfield might have been located. The airfield's Eastings and Northings would be helpful. Is anyone able to impart this information so that I can stand in the middle of the airfield and imagine that I'm back in 1917/18? (You see I'm a bit sad like that)... Thanking you all in anticipation... Neil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MartinWills Posted 9 June , 2007 Share Posted 9 June , 2007 I believe that there were in effect two parts to Joyce Green, RFC and the Wireless Experimental establishment. The latter sought to move in 1917 and spent some time looking for possible sites south of London until they spotted a nice farmers field near the viillage of Biggin Hill - the rest is history. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mickdavis Posted 9 June , 2007 Share Posted 9 June , 2007 The MS Word table format of my aerodrome file doesn't apply itself well to this page, but you should be able to pick the bones out of this lot JOYCE GREEN 2 miles from Dartford railway station and 1½ miles from Erith railway station 171/177 : (51) TQ) 542774 : Kent : 121 acres : 1200 x 1000 yards : slightly below sea level. Manufacturer’s aerodrome for Vickers Ltd 1911 – 1919 : HD NLG RNAS 10.1914 : HD Advanced Base RFC 10.1914 – 1915 : HD NLG 1st for 39 (HD) Sqn, 50 (HD) Sqn and 112 (HD) Sqn RFC/RAF 1916 – 1919 : Training Squadron Station RFC/RAF 7.1915 – 10.1918 : Wireless Testing Park RFC 10.1916 – 1.1917 : Pilots’ Pool RAF 10.1918 – 12.1919. Three aeroplane sheds, 80 x 60 feet, as a treble unit plus three aeroplane sheds, 80 x 50 feet, as a treble unit. 1 Sqn HD detachment 10.1914 from Brooklands 11.1914 to Brooklands 1 RAS HD detachment 19.12.1914 Farnborough 12.1914 Farnborough 7 Sqn HD detachment 22.12.1914 Netheravon 12.1914 Netheravon 2 RAS HD detachment 7.1915 Brooklands 1.9.1915 absorbed into 10 RAS 10 RAS/RS/TS 1.9.1915 formed ex 2 RAS nucleus 1.6.1917 Ternhill 5th Wing HD detachment 8.9.1915 Gosport & 23 Sqn 1.2.1916 attached to 19 RS Hounslow 10 RAS HD detachment 31.1.1916 detached from parent unit 31.1.1916 Farningham 10 RAS HD detachment 1.2.1916 Farningham 1.2.1916 re-joined parent unit 22 RS B Flt nucleus 6.1916 formed, attached to 10 RS 24.8.1916 en-route for Egypt Wireless Testing Park 21.10.1916 Brooklands 1.1.1917 Biggin Hill 63 TS 1.6.1917 Ternhill 5.10.1918 Redcar 10 TDS B Flt nucleus 15.10.1917 formed, attached to 63 TS 1.11.1917 Feltwell 8th Aero Sqn USAAS HQ* 24.12.1917 Flower Down* 1.5.1918 Thetford 8th Aero Sqn USAAS flights* 24.12.1917 Flower Down* 12.1917 Northolt, Thetford and Wyton Pool of Pilots 5.10.1918 Manston 12.1919 disbanded Note – the Wireless Testing Park had arrived as a nucleus from Brooklands and was an out-station of the Signals Experimental Establishment at Woolwich. 63 TS was given temporary HD duty during the summer of 1917. The Pool of Pilots comprised a concentration of pilots awaiting posting to units at home and overseas. 6th Wing 9.1915 : 18th Wing from 12.4.1916 : 6th Wing 1.1917 : 58th Wing, 1 (Training) Group, SE Area 1918 : 18th Wing, SE Area 1919 : 49th Wing, HD Group, SE Area, VI Brigade 1918 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonathan Saunders Posted 16 July , 2011 Share Posted 16 July , 2011 Has anyone of the Forum ever positively identified the location of Joyce Green aerodrome and if so, where is it in relation to Neil's yellow pins above? Thanks and regards, Jonathan S Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry_Reeves Posted 16 July , 2011 Share Posted 16 July , 2011 Jon The users of this forum apparently know its location. It might well be worth a post to confirm Neil's yellow pin: http://forum.keypublishing.co.uk/showthread.php?t=107411 TR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonathan Saunders Posted 16 July , 2011 Share Posted 16 July , 2011 Thanks Terry - I'll give that a go. Regards, Jonathan S Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonathan Saunders Posted 19 July , 2011 Share Posted 19 July , 2011 For anyone interested, I have been informed that the pin in Neil's map marks just about the middle of the old aerodrome. Regards, Jonathan S Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mickdavis Posted 19 July , 2011 Share Posted 19 July , 2011 The Autumn 1918 site plan attached. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonathan Saunders Posted 20 July , 2011 Share Posted 20 July , 2011 Excellent Mick. Thanks very much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neil Clark Posted 6 August , 2014 Author Share Posted 6 August , 2014 Interesting BUT I think the buildings on the map MAY actually relate to the large Joyce Green HOSPITAL located nearby? If you look on Google Earth using the historical imagy you will clearly see how close the hospital was to the airfield. You can compare 1940, 1960 and recent images. The most recent images clearly show the remants of the many buildings shown on the above map. I suppose it's possible these buildings were connected to the airfield in some way but the buildings look like me to be hospital buildings? I am still pretty confident that my yellow marker is accurate where the landing strips were located. I have an interest in this important WW1 airfield and would welcome any information in this regard. It would be nice to solve exactly where the airfield was.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mickdavis Posted 7 August , 2014 Share Posted 7 August , 2014 The dashed line on the plan indicates the aerodrome bounaries - as it does on all the plans in TNA AIR1 452 and 453. Yes, the building in the SE corner of the plan were the hospital - the RFC/RAF buildings were mainly on the northern boundary, near Long Reach Taver. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mickdavis Posted 7 August , 2014 Share Posted 7 August , 2014 Just to clarify - the plans in the RAF Quarterly Survey of Stations were drawn on existing 25 mile to the inch OS maps, so existing surrounding buildings still showed, e.g. the Joyce Green hospital. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nils d Posted 30 December , 2014 Share Posted 30 December , 2014 From what lve read about how tricky Joyce Green was to fly from , that hospital was the correct distance from the airfield . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neil Clark Posted 16 June , 2015 Author Share Posted 16 June , 2015 Having spoken to the daughter of a pilot who flew from Joyce Green 1915-1919 it has been confirmed to me that the yellow pin above marks the middle of the flying ground. She remembers clearly that her father resided in a wooden barrack block more or less in the same place. She stated to me that the actual airfield (runways) were located almost next to the River Thames and that many pilots lost their lives by way of drowning. The hospital nearby had a small military (Army) unit attached to it but she can't remember exactly where it was located. If you look on historical imagery on Google Earth you will clearly see the fading marks of where some buildings stood. It depends on the time of year how visable these are. Summer seems to be the best time to look as the ground dries out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black Maria Posted 27 July , 2015 Share Posted 27 July , 2015 Dartford reference library had a file on Joyce Green Airfield and inside was an interesting photograph of a parade taking place at the airfield with the Long Reach Tavern in the background . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black Maria Posted 21 September , 2017 Share Posted 21 September , 2017 On 28/07/2015 at 05:45, Black Maria said: Dartford reference library had a file on Joyce Green Airfield and inside was an interesting photograph of a parade taking place at the airfield with the Long Reach Tavern in the background . Found the photo at wikiwand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black Maria Posted 17 December , 2017 Share Posted 17 December , 2017 (edited) There are some very interesting photographs of the airfield here https://www.crayfordhistory.org.uk/projects/wilfred-salmon/wilfred-salmon-online-exhibition/history-joyce-green-airfield Edited 7 December , 2019 by Black Maria Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now