RFC in Bedford

[rgalley]

I've come across reference to an RFC airfield situated in Putnoe, now a suburb of Bedford. As I understand it, the airfield was established as part of the national anti-Zeppelin defences.

Is anyone out there able to substantiate this and tell me more about the precise location of the airfield and its operational history?

I am wondering if the reference is actually to Cardington, which is some distance from Putnoe.

[mickdavis]

There were 2 sites, a Home Defence Night Landing Ground and a separate HQ building.

GOLDINGTON (Bedford)

147/153 : (52) TL 070510 : Bedfordshire.

HD NLG 3rd/2nd for 75 (HD) Sqn RFC 1.1917 – 6.1917 and DLG RFC 1.1917 – late 1917.

HD Wing (Southern) 1917

GOLDINGTON* The Grange, Goldington, Bedfordshire*

75 (HD) Sqn HQ* 12.10.1916 from Tadcaster (Bramham Moor) : 8.9.1917 to Elmswell

[rgalley]

That's a great start, thank you.

Can you tell me what aircraft type would have operated from this airfield? Also, do we have specific location within Goldington (e.g. map reference etc.)?

Regards

Richard

[mickdavis]

The OS grid refererence for the landing ground is there is there, TL070510. As a Night Landing Ground, it was for use in emergency only by the BE2e and BE12 machines operated at the time - fuel, shortage, mechanical trouble, adverse weather. The 3 flights of 75 (HD) Sqn were based at Yelling, Old Weston and Therfield. The HQ building was requisitioned because it was convenient to all 3 flight stations. It was realised that the squadron was located too far westward for its purpose and relocated to sites in Suffolk. Details of 75 (HD) Sqn :-

75 SQUADRON RFC/RAF

Bases

Formed at Tadcaster 1.10.1916 with nucleus from 33 Squadron. HQ to Goldington 12.10.1916 with flights detached to Yelling (A Flt), Old Weston (B Flt) and Therfield (C Flt). HQ to Elmswell 9.9.1917 with flights at Harling Road (A Flt), Elmswell (B Flt) and Hadleigh (C Flt). Intended establishment at 6.1918 set at 22 Bristol F2B. A Flight to Hadleigh and C Flight to Elmswell 9.1918. Autumn 1918 establishment given as 24 Avro 504K (NF). A Flight to North Weald Bassett 7.11.1918, followed by B & C Flights 23.5.1919. Disbanded 13.6.1919.

Commanding Officers

Major HA Petre DSO MC from 1.10.1916 until 3.7.1917. Major T O’B Hubbard from 3.7.1917 until 28.7.1917. Major TF Rutledge from 28.7.1917 until 4.10.1917. Major CS Ross from 4.10.1917 until 27.10.1918. Major CA Ridley DSO MC from 1.11.1918 until @ 1.1919.

Landing Grounds with HQ at Goldington († existing aerodrome; ‡ later upgraded to aerodrome)

Biggleswade, Clipston, Coldham, Cottenham, Finedon, Flitwick, Fowlmere‡, Goldington, Hanslope, Horseheath, Kingscliffe, Lavendon, Litchborough, Little Downham, Little Staughton, Moulton, Orton, Thaxted, Thrapston, Willian, Wyton†.

Landing Grounds with HQ at Elmswell († existing aerodrome; ‡ later upgraded to aerodrome)

Bedford, Biggleswade, Bury (original site), Bury† (new site), Clipston, Coldham, Cottenham, Earsham, Finedon, Flitwick, Fowlmere‡, Goldington, Hanslope, Harling Road†, Horseheath, Kingscliffe, Lavendon, Litchborough, Little Downham, Martlesham Heath†, Moulton, Newmarket†, Orton, Port Meadow†, Sible Hedingham, Stutton, Thaxsted, Therfield, Thetford†, Tibenham, Willian, Wormingford, Wyton†, Yelling.

Squadron Searchlights (with HQ at Goldington)

Aresley, Ashwell, Baldock, Bury, Clay End, Cross Hall, East Perry, Everton, Fullers Hill Farm, Norman Cross, Hemington, Hitchin, North Farm, Norton Green, Offord Hill, Old Weston aerodrome, Sacombe, Sawtry, Spaldwick, St Neots, Upton, Warmington, Weston, Weybridge Farm, Wrestingworth.

Representative Aeroplanes († allotted, not delivered)

Avro 504A/J B8742.

Avro 504K (NF) D6240, D6241, D6242, D6243, D6244, D6245, D7633, D9323, D9324, D9331, D9333, D9348, D9350, D9351, D9353, D9355, D9356, D9357, E1721, E1722, E4153, E4179, E4182, F8706.

RAF BE2e 7166†, 7253, A8701, B706, B723, B4455, B4456, B4514, B4518, B4538, B4542, B4574, B9462.

RAF BE12 6160, A6312, A6343, A6344, B9462, C3183, C3231, C3259, C3279.

RAF BE12a A6325, A6349.

RAF BE12b C3086, C3088, C3089, C3090, C3113.

Sopwith Pup B1769, B1772, B2216.

Sopwith F1 Camel C3349, C359, C6768, C8349, D6662, E5169, F1398, F2109, F2117, F2175, F2181, F2182, F5179, F5191†, F5192†, F5193†, F5194†, F5195†, F6344†, F6362†, F8681†, F8682†, F8689, H734, H3996†, H3997†, H3998†, H3999†, H4000†, H4001†, H4002†, H7375†, H7377†, H7378†, H7379†, H7381†, H7382†.

Sopwith 7F1 Snipe E7570, E7571, E7572, E7573, E7574, E7575, E7576, E7577, E7578, R7579, E7580, E7581, E7582, E7584.

[rgalley]

Many thanks for this information, Mick.