In a moon's course

Image: © Neil Owen Taken: 12 May 2015

This granite pillar stands at the eastern end of the old tarmac runway of Whitchurch Airport - or at least that which still exists. Founded in the 1930s as a commercial airport and later seeing war-time use, the site finally closed in 1957 and Bristol's efforts directed to the old R.A.F. station at Lulsgate Bottom - now Bristol Airport. However, a monument has been placed here as a tribute to the many men and women who helped in the Air Transport Auxiliary. With so many men taken to fight in the war, a movement came about to train civilians to fly and transport the aircraft coming out of the factories. Distribution and logistics were part of the essential job that the A.T.A. undertook from 1939-45. Founded originally at Croydon, the A.T.A. moved to Whitchurch airfield and became No. 2 Ferry Pool, carrying out the work until the end of the war. This monument commemorates the one hundred and seventy-three people from all over the world who gave their lives in the A.T.A. - many without meeting enemy action. The plaque ends with this line: 'Remember them that also we in a moon's course are history.'

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