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The Great War (1914-1918) Forum

Remembered Today:

Feltwell & Harling Rd aerodromes


simonsmrt

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post-51241-1258115070.jpg

Attached 2 aerial photos from 1918/19 of Feltwell and Harling Rd where my Grandparents worked, met and then married.

I'm no expert but believe the larger aircraft to be 2 seater DH-4's as they dont appear to be twin engined, the Scouts, no idea

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What a good aerial view of the station, taken a the time of 7 TDS's residence. 7 Training Depot Station was tasked with training day light bomber pilots and, as such, had a nominal establishment of 36 DH4/DH9 and 36 Avro 504, but quite a few BE2es were used in place of the former. At least 3 Sopwith Pups and 5 Camels were on the unit's books at various times, so your single seater was possibly one of those. The main details of the station's WW1 history :

FELTWELL 1½ miles from Lakenheath railway station

135/143 : (52)TL 715894 : Norfolk : 208 acres : 1100 x 800 yards : 50 feet amsl.

Training Depot Station and School RFC/RAF 11.1917 – 3.1920.

Seven 1917 pattern GS Sheds, 170 x 100 feet, as three coupled units with a single for an ARS.

7 TDS A Flt nucleus 1.11.1917 from Montrose, 1.11.1917 to formed 7 TDS

7 TDS B Flt nucleus 1.11.1917 from Joyce Green, 1.11.1917 formed 7 TDS

7 TDS C Flt nucleus 1.11.1917 from Castle Bromwich, 1.11.1917 formed 7 TDS

7 Training Depot Station 1.11.1917 formed from nucleus flights, 22.4.1919 disbanded

MAFIS* 27.4.1919 from Lilbourne, 7.1919 disbanded into NAFIS

NAFIS** 7.1919 formed ex MAFIS, 3.1920 disbanded

39th Wing, 3 (Training) Group, Midland Area 1918 : 11 Group 1919

* Midland Area Flying Instructors School

** Northern Area Flying Instructors School

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I forgot to add Harling Road's details. It, too, was a DH4/9 TDS during 1918 and, like 7 TDS, also operated a few scouts.

HARLING ROAD (Roudham) ¼ mile from Harling Road railway station

136/144 : (52) TL 979873 : Norfolk : 245 acres : 1100 x 1100 yards : 100 feet amsl..

HD Flight Station RFC 9.1916** – 9.1918 : HD NLG 1st for 51 (HD) Sqn and 75 (HD) Sqn RFC/RAF 9.1916** – 1919 : Training Squadron Station and Training Depot Station RFC/RAF 8.1917 – 3.1920 : Relinquishment notified 12.2.1920 and confirmed 4.3.1920.

Seven 1917 pattern GS Sheds, 170 x 100 feet, as three coupled units with a single (incorporating two plane stores) for an ARS.

51 (HD) Sqn A Flt 23.9.1916 from Thetford, 1.8.1917 to Tydd St Mary

88 Sqn 2.8.1917 from Gosport, 2.4.1918 to Kenley Common

94 Sqn 2.8.1917 from formed, 27.7.1918 to Upper Heyford

89 Sqn 7.8.1917 from Catterick, 17.7.1918 to Upper Heyford

75 (HD) Sqn A Flt 1.8.1917 from Yelling, 2.1918 to Elmswell

75 (HD) Sqn B Flt 2.1918 from Elmswell, 9.1918 to Elmswell

10 TDS 1.5.1918 from formed, 14.3.1919 to re-designated 10 TS

122 Sqn nucleus flight* 10.1918 from reformed, 29.10.1918 to Upper Heyford

10 TS 14.3.1919 from reformed ex 10 TDS, 3.1920 to disbanded

39th Wing, 3 (Training) Group, Midland Area 1918 :

50th Wing, HD Group, Midland Area, VI Brigade 1918

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I forgot to add Harling Road's details. It, too, was a DH4/9 TDS during 1918 and, like 7 TDS, also operated a few scouts.

HARLING ROAD (Roudham) ¼ mile from Harling Road railway station

136/144 : (52) TL 979873 : Norfolk : 245 acres : 1100 x 1100 yards : 100 feet amsl..

HD Flight Station RFC 9.1916** – 9.1918 : HD NLG 1st for 51 (HD) Sqn and 75 (HD) Sqn RFC/RAF 9.1916** – 1919 : Training Squadron Station and Training Depot Station RFC/RAF 8.1917 – 3.1920 : Relinquishment notified 12.2.1920 and confirmed 4.3.1920.

Seven 1917 pattern GS Sheds, 170 x 100 feet, as three coupled units with a single (incorporating two plane stores) for an ARS.

51 (HD) Sqn A Flt 23.9.1916 from Thetford, 1.8.1917 to Tydd St Mary

88 Sqn 2.8.1917 from Gosport, 2.4.1918 to Kenley Common

94 Sqn 2.8.1917 from formed, 27.7.1918 to Upper Heyford

89 Sqn 7.8.1917 from Catterick, 17.7.1918 to Upper Heyford

75 (HD) Sqn A Flt 1.8.1917 from Yelling, 2.1918 to Elmswell

75 (HD) Sqn B Flt 2.1918 from Elmswell, 9.1918 to Elmswell

10 TDS 1.5.1918 from formed, 14.3.1919 to re-designated 10 TS

122 Sqn nucleus flight* 10.1918 from reformed, 29.10.1918 to Upper Heyford

10 TS 14.3.1919 from reformed ex 10 TDS, 3.1920 to disbanded

39th Wing, 3 (Training) Group, Midland Area 1918 :

50th Wing, HD Group, Midland Area, VI Brigade 1918

excellent stuff. I believe my Grandmother was based at Harling Rd and it was here she used to paint/dope the wings and fuselage of the aircraft. I have a whole host of from ther ground photo's of Harling Rd as well as a number of female RFC/WRAF portraits of I assume her pals from this time. It was here or Feltwell where I believe my Grandfather worked that the 2 met and shortly after married thus ensuring the family dynasty

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  • 3 years later...

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