IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Lawson Road, SALISBURY, SP4 8LP

A small crescent in amongst the old military area of Larkhill.

These industrial buildings have not changed materially since their construction. A casual glance will confirm they are in fact aircraft hangars, and historically were part of the foundation of military flight around the time of the Great War. Originally part of the Royal Engineers, the early use of flying machines soon brought about the formation of a dedicated air force - the Royal Flying Corps. Fundamental to the creation at this time were a collection of notable institutions, including schools and the founding of the British and Colonial Aeroplane Company in 1910 by Bristol industrialist Sir George White. He rented some of these hangars. Further to the north are the last remains of some other hangars, albeit almost covered by vegetation - see Image

Memorial stone on Wood Road. The inscription reads: 'On this site the first aerodrome for the army was founded in 1910 by Capt. J.D.B. Fulton RFA and Mr G.B. Cockburn This later became 2' Coy Air Bn RE The British and Colonial Aeroplane Company forerunners of the Bristol Aeroplane Company established their flying school here in 1910 The first military air trials were held here in 1912.'

This little shed and weighbridge stands as a slightly incongruous memorial to a bygone era. It dates back to around the time of the First World War and is one of the few remains of what was an important military base. For not only were there thousands of soldiers camped here, but it was also home to what later grew into the Royal Air Force.

Now a simple agricultural field, the history of this area was primarily military. For not only were there thousands of men camped here (mainly during the First World War), it was also one of the first airfields in the formative years of military aviation. The wide and gently sloping plains in this part of Wiltshire enabled the pioneers of flying to embrace their craft. The scale of the use of the area demanded a train line to be built to link the various supply lines and camps; the old line is now gone, but can just still be traced as it snakes to the right of shot.

Part of the landscape around Larkhill, which has witnessed thousands of military personnel stationed here over the twentieth century. Most were soldiers but a few became founders of a new service. The area gently falling away downhill was once the cradle of military aviation as it was used by the very first flyers, attached to the Army. Taking to the air in their primitive craft and using the open spaces as an airfield, the amazing potential of such a breakthrough became evident. Soon the embryonic service grew into the Royal Flying Corps, and then later to the Royal Air Force. Little remains of any of the history on the ground, save for a few items, as the camps were largely temporary canvas affairs. See Image] for an example.

In the middle of what is now a simple arable field in an otherwise unremarkable landscape lies this memorial. It must be a scant visited site, but the story remains to be heard. This part of Salisbury Plain was important not only geographically but also in terms of military history. These open sweeps were home to the first efforts to form a flying force. The miracle of powered flight had only just happened and by 1912 Larkhill became the first military flying service - originally part of the Royal Engineers, but shortly after the Royal Flying Corps. The new flying machines were, naturally, prone to disaster. The stone tablet on this memorial reads: "In memory of Major Alexander William Hewetson, 66th Battery Royal Field Artillery, who was killed whilst flying on the 17th July, 1913, near this spot." Oddly enough, there is a stone cross on the old A344 (a road that is now restricted and close to the new visitor centre); the cross refers to the same person and the same date - but is some 2.75km away! See Image] for Alan Cooper's image.