Contributor: NFNPA Archaeology

Air Raid Damage to Bunkers Hill Anti-Aircraft Site. Official Report

This is a detailed transcription of National Archives papers from Ministry of Home Security: Research and Experiments Department, Registered Papers. AIR RAID DAMAGE. Region no.6: Southern Headquarters: Reading. Beaulieu. HO192/852

Brief Number. 1517 File Number: RE/B 16/45/2 Region VI
Southampton 14/15.5.44
Gun Site Beaulieu

It is reported that two High Explosive Bombs fell on a Gun Site causing 3 fatal casualties and 13 injured. Further information is required covering this incident with particular attention to the following points

1.    A plot to a large scale showing: a) position of the guns, firing equipment, and ready ammunition stocks b) Position of the bombs C) Positions of all personnel exposed to risk at the time of the incident, indicating those killed, seriously injured, slightly injured and uninjured.
2.    Full details of the damage to the guns, firing equipment and ammunition
3.    Brief description of any damaged buildings, etc.
4.    Photographs, as may be possible and helpful to the description
5.    The securing of fragments of the bomb is of importance and any collected should be forwarded to Prince Bisborough (R.E.9)

Report
Incident: H.E Bombs
Date and Time: 14/15.5.44 02:19 hours
Place: Beaulieu

Damage: No damage was caused to any of the guns or ammunition. The only equipment damaged was 2 panels blown out at rear of ‘RX’ detector, and aerials damaged. This is situated 114 feet North of No.1 bomb. Damage to buildings was very slight, caused chiefly by blast and falling clay.
1.    Nissen Hut, 19’x17’. Used as cookhouse; 2 corrugated sheets dented by debris and 3 panes of glazing cracked
2.    Nissen Hut, 24’x31’. Men’s Mess; 4 corrugated sheets slightly moved by blast, 6 planes of glazing cracked
3.    Nissen Hut, 19×17’. Seargeant’s Mess; 4 corrugated sheets slightly moved by blast. All situated on West side of site
4.    18 Angle Tents. 14’x14’ of a row of 27 tents situated on South side of site were damaged by falling clay. In these tents the casualties occurred.

Casualties: 2 service personnel killed outright, 1 service personnel died 10 minutes after, 1 service personnel died 24 hours after, 6 service personnel seriously injured, 4 service personnel slightly injured. Injuries were chiefly fractured skulls and broken limbs, caused by falling lumps of clay. A thorough examination was made and revealed no further injuries. Approximately 30 men were occupying the tents at the time of incident; they were off duty, and were either lying down or getting up at the time of the incident.

1 killed and 1 injured occupying No.3 Tent, 1 injured occupying No.4 Tent, 1 injured occupying No.5 Tent, 1 injured occupying No.8 Tent, 1 killed and 1 injured occupying No.9 Tent, 1 died 10 mins after and 1 injured occupying No.11 Tent. 5 injured occupying No.16 Tent including 1 since died in hospital.
Several men outside tents were uninjured. Major Brett and Lieut. Fawcett were standing approximately 436 feet North of No.1 Bomb and were blown over by the blast, but uninjured. No.1 Tent situated 75’ South of No.2 Bomb, occupied by cooks, was undamaged, and no occupants injured. Photographs were taken of site and positions from which they were taken are shown on plan.

General: The site is operated by the 355th Battery 111th H.A.A Regiment, composed of eight 3.7 A.A guns and all usual equipment; each gun carries 200 rounds of ammunition which is stored in gun pit. Gun pits are dug in with a breastwork of sand-bags and earth; surroundings are well camouflaged. The tents are well camouflaged and erected along hedgerow. Nissen huts are in a small coppice. The site is under the command of Major Brett.

Extracts from log as follows: Enemy engaged at 02:18 hours, Bombs dropped at 02:19 hours, Guns ceased fire at 02:21 hours

The log then goes on then to look at assessing the bomb fragments and various reports to confirm that they were 500Kg bombs. It also contains maps and photos which can be seen above.

The 1946 RAF aerial image shows the site post war. It is possible to see the field which held the guns adjoining the lighter field to the top left of the photo. Both bomb craters are also still visible in the photo as large scars, as well as the various tracks and areas where the tents would have stood. The aerial view gives a better idea of scale on the craters and shows how lucky most of the men stationed at this site were.

HO192 Records in the National Archives cover the following:

Ministry of Home Security: Research and Experiments Department, Registered Papers

These papers deal with observation of and research into allied and enemy bombs, bombing methods and effects, fire prevention and air raid damage both in the United Kingdom and in enemy occupied territories. The papers were registered in RE, RE/B, RE/F, RE/H, RE/O and RE/U series and comprise correspondence and related papers, technical reports and assessments, and surveys of air raid damage to towns and to various categories of domestic buildings, industrial and transport undertakings, and shelters, together with related maps, plans and photographs. The series also contains minutes and papers of the War Damage (Earth Movements) Main Committee and the Air Ministry Incendiary Panel.

 

Airborne Lidar (Light Detection and Ranging)

How Lidar works

Interpreting the ‘lumps and bumps’ on the landscape can tell us a lot about how the New Forest has been used and exploited since the Neolithic period.

Finding and recording archaeological features through traditional field survey can be difficult and time-consuming for archaeologists: using such techniques it is estimated that it might be more than 100 years before we have an understanding of the number and range of sites.

Airborne Lidar (Light Detection and Ranging) makes it possible to speed up the process. It is a remote sensing technique that allows a very detailed digital surface model of entire landscapes to be constructed.

A pulsed laser beam is scanned from side to side from a plane as it travels over the terrain, recording thousands of three dimensional points to the ground every second. These pulses reflect off the ground and are received by detectors on the plane, which calculate the distance between the plane and the ground using the known speed of light coupled with the accurate positioning of the plane.

It is possible to gather millions of these exceptionally accurate measurements that can then be processed to create a surface that is an accurate model of the landscape.

How Lidar helps

Traditional archaeological survey is often difficult in woodland as vegetation makes sites impossible to reach, see and record. Lidar’s ability to ‘see through’ vegetation is one of its main strengths.

Because the laser pulses can filter between the leaves and branches of trees, we are able to strip away the vegetation and look at the ground – and the archaeology beneath the tree canopy – often with spectacular results.

We can also digitally manipulate the Lidar to produce a range of images by illuminating the model in different ways, examining slope and aspect, viewing in 3D and drawing sections across the landscape.

We can also combine the Lidar with other information, such as historic mapping dating back to the 18th century, aerial photography, near infrared imagery and records of known archaeological sites.

All of these techniques help us to accurately identify and interpret sites, which can then be checked on the ground.

Hidden History – Lidar 3D Mapping

How laser mapping is used

Because Lidar data can be manipulated in a number of ways it is incredibly versatile and its uses are not limited to archaeology.

Lidar can be used to identify veteran trees which are of great ecological and historical significance. In processing the Lidar it is possible to remove the landscape to leave just the trees. These can be examined to identify trees of a desired height, form and crown width to isolate potential veteran tree candidates.

Combined with near infra-red imagery and aerial photography we can even focus on particular species. Similar processes can be used to monitor scrub growth or erosion and identify particular habitats.

LiDAR provides valuable information for land management, grazing schemes and stream restoration projects and also helps to identify ‘palaeochannels’ (the remnants of old river systems).

Explore laser map

View the tiled Lidar map of the National Park

In its most basic form, 3D Lidar data allows us to create a detailed model of the earth’s surface within the New Forest National Park. The data also allows us to remove any tree cover seen throughout the forest and look at the topographical changes seen beneath the trees.

The Lidar data is gathered through the use of a laser scanner recording 3D points during a flight over the landscape. Both the Lidar maps and Lidar zoom pages show a combination of hill shade analysis of this raw Lidar data.

By creating artificial light sources on the landscape (azimuths) on a computer, the data can show where shadows would be created by the lumps and bumps seen on the earth’s surface.

Although buried archaeological features cannot be identified, anything seen breaking the ground surface or above it do show up.

View the zoom Lidar map of the National Park.

Explore near infrared map

Near infrared records a band of light not visible with the human eye. It has been captured using an infrared camera during Lidar flights.

The camera looks at a different spectrum of light to that which we normally see with the naked eye.

Differing moisture levels, ground density and varying vegetation coverage seen on the earth’s surface absorb this light in different ways, and this variation can be used to identify archaeological and environmental features.

Explore the whole National Park and surrounding area in infrared.

Airfield accommodation at Stockley Inclosure

Beaulieu Airfield was opened on Saturday 8 August 1942 and was used by both the Royal Air Force and then later United States Army Air Forces. During the war it was used as a bomber and fighter airfield. After the war, it was used for experimental work before it was closed in 1959.

Alongside the three main intersecting concrete runways, concrete dispersals, hangers and the perimeter road the station was constructed largely of Nissen huts of various sizes. These housed all the technical and organisational facilities as well as domestic requirements such as mess facilities; a chapel; a hospital; a mission briefing and debriefing; armouries and bomb stores; life support; supply hut; station and airfield security; motor transport, a post office and the other ground support functions necessary to support the men and women essential for the successful running of air operations.
A number domestic accommodation sites were dispersed away from the airfield, within a mile or so of the airfield providing accommodation for around 2,197 servicemen, including communal ablution facilities and sick quarters. Some of the concrete bases of these accommodation nissen huts are still visible in the woodlands around Beaulieu such as Stockley and Perrywood Inclosure.
For further reading and articles on Beaulieu Airfield please visit: Beaulieu Airfield Overview

American Airmen enjoy a day trip to the New Forest

This series of photos from the Imperial War Museum start with the residents deciding to go for a picnic in the New Forest. It is decided half the group will cycle and half the group will travel by jeep, and they will swap over for the return journey. The cyclists check the route on a map in the sunshine before they set off from the grounds of the large country house. Left to right, they are: Captain R W Smith (from Pomona, California), Lieutenant J D Baird (from Suring, Wisconsin), Miss Kathleen Deane (from Connecticut and one of the American Red Cross hostesses working at the club) and Lieutenant E T Broadnax (from Bastrup, Louisiana).

During their picnic in the New Forest the airmen play numerous pranks on each other. In the first one Lieutenant ‘Judy’ Judas falls victim to a practical joke. Having been challenged to drop a penny from his forehead into his trousers, he is caught unawares by Lieutenant Royal Firmin, Jr., who instead pours a bottle of beer into his trousers. Lieutenant Firmin runs the estate at Stanbridge Earls, as assistant to Captain B B Morse. It is his main job to keep the guests happy.

American airman Lieutenant Broadnax then plays a practical joke on his sleeping colleague Lieutenant Michael Zincowich (a Fortress Bombardier from New Hampshire) known as the ‘Hot Foot’ treatment: a lighted match is inserted between the sole and upper of his boot. He then wakes with a start much to the amusement of his colleagues.

The group finish their picnic with a relaxing pint of beer in the sunshine outside the Sir John Barleycorn pub in Cadnam. In the centre, in a white t-shirt, is Lieutenant Royal Firmin, Jr. Also seated outside the pub are two of the American Red Cross hostesses who work at the home, and have joined the men on their picnic. A greyhound dog can just be seen in the background.

Background

The original MoI ‘background story’ caption for this sequence of photographs reads: American pilots, co-pilots, navigators and bombardiers exhausted by long, relentless flights into enemy defences, are sent to “rest” at this English Shangri-La. Lush and mellow, centuries old yet up to the minute in comfort and fittings, the house and grounds have been lend-leased to the US Eighth Army Air Force by Britain’s Air Ministry. The home aims to prevent nervous breakdowns by easing the nervous tension before it becomes unbearable. At first sign of jitters bomber crews are ordered to “rest”, maybe four days, maybe two weeks. “Doc” Kennedy, Louisianan Flight Surgeon in residence, keeps an eye on heroes of Liberator and Fortress down for a few days’ lounging, trout-fishing, picnicking, cycling, tennis and eggs-for-breakfast with friendly American Red Cross hostesses and English staff including Mr Bunting, the butler. Mr Walter Hutchinson, British publisher whose home this was until the government requisitioned it, gladly lives in a couple of caravans in the grounds while lend-lease works in reverse to keep US airmen flying and fighting fit. This large country house is Stanbridge Earls, near Romsey in Hampshire

All Photos are credit: Imperial War Museum for Non-Commercial Use

(Licence)

An Award Winning New Forest Goat Shed

A local New Forest resident contacted us about a rather unassuming building on her property with a rather unique story and a lot to say for itself. When you enter the wooden building you notice the rather different looking stalls with their metal gates, but more spectacularly your attention is drawn up to the ceiling where there are over 550 certificates are pinned to it dating from 1919 through until 1955 and are collected from shows all around the country. We are now working with the homeowner to unlock the fascinating story of the award living goats and their owner that lived here and considering how to conserve this rather special collection.

3D Model of just small section of the roof

One of our volunteers has managed to create this partial model of some of the roof in challenging conditions. Though only a small section of the roof immediately above you as you enter it does give an idea of the feel of the shed and what we are working to record and conserve.

Competitive Goat shed.
by f1xer
on Sketchfab

Short Video of the Goat Shed

Link to video

Recording and Conservation

We have currently undertaken a photographic record and we are now looking for volunteers to help transcribe the certificates into a searchable spreadsheet. Can you help?

The linked PDFs give a rough roof plan showing how we have broken it down into sections and then the segment photos and ID numbers that we will use to create a searchable database of the entire collection.

Roof Plan

Goat Shed Right Panels

NF Goat Shed Left Panels

Goat Shed Central Panel 6

Goat Shed Central Panel 7

If you would like to help us transcribe the collection then please feel free to help by looking at the photos and then helping fill in the working spreadsheet.

You can access an editable spreadsheet on Google Drive here to add your comments and transcriptions: Transcription Working Spreadsheet

The Chamberlains

Charlotte Chamberlain was a member of the Chamberlain family of Birmingham, one of seven daughters of the industrialist Arthur Chamberlain. Their cousin Neville was Prime Minster between 1937 and 1940. On the death of their father in 1913, Charlotte and her sister Mary moved to the New Forest.

In 1918 Charlotte Chamberlain was elected to the committee of the British Goat Society (see more below). The earliest certificate on the goat shed ceiling is from the 1918 Royal Agricultural Show in Cardiff. Charlotte was president of the British Goat Society in 1945, 1946 & 1947

In 1927 the sisters donated land in Emery Down for a hall to be built for the newly-formed Emery Down and Bank Women’s Institute. The hall built by local builder Joseph Payne containing a crafts centre complete with stage, scullery and grassy outdoor space survives today as Emery Down and Bank Village Hall.

The Chamberlain sisters also became closely involved with the development of and notable benefactors of what was later to become the University of Southampton. Chamberlain Hall at the university was originally built in 1959 due to the endowment of the sisters and was for women only to encourage access to education for women.

One of Charlotte’s great-nieces, Joanna Close-Brooks has provided a number of photos from her visits in the 1950s including this short section of home video

Goats at Weston – Footage courtesy of Joanna Close-Brooks

Another family remembers a gentleman called Lee who drove the lorry containing the goats to the various shows around the country.

The British Goat Society

Although the British Goat Society was founded in 1879, the actual starting point came a little earlier in 1874 when H.S.Holmes-Pegler published his Book of the Goat. A year later he was invited to judge the first goat show. This took place at Crystal Palace and was the forerunner of a number of shows held at London venues such as Alexandra Palace and the Royal Aquarium.

The first British Goat Society Herd Book lists six shows held between that first show and the 1879 Dairy Show at which a meeting was held and the following resolution passed: ‘That an association be formed to be called The British Goat Society’. Eighteen members joined on this occasion.

In these early years all the committee members were men, often with city connections which enabled them to provide rooms for the frequent meetings. However at an extraordinary general meeting in 1918 it was decided that up to six lady members could be elected onto the committee. In view of some of the still-familiar names who were already making an impact this decision would seem to be over-due! Prominent women and famous prefixes or affixes included Mrs Abbey (Didgemere), Miss Barnaby (Bitterne), Miss Booth (Springfield), Miss Chamberlain, Miss Gresley-Hall (Webb),Mrs Soames (Pytchley), and Miss Window-Harrison (of Weald). Miss Pope (of Bashley) had joined ten years earlier.

Miss Charlotte Chamberlain was president of the British Goat Society in 1945, 46 & 47.

British Goat Society Cups & Challenge Trophies

The Society’s Challenge Trophies may be offered for competition at the discretion of the Committee at shows held in accordance with Regulation 19, and will be awarded, subject to the goat or goats competing being entered in an appropriate class or classes and complying with Regulations 19, 20 and 21 so far as they are applicable. The Trophies shall remain the property of the Society. A list of the Trophies may be obtained from the Secretary.
Trophy Award Cards in respect of the Society’s Trophies will be awarded for retention by the exhibitor

The “Chamberlain” Challenge Trophy for the British Saanen Goat securing the highest number of points in Inspection and Milking at either the Royal and one other show, under the following conditions. A goat to compete must be bred by the Exhibitor, entered in the British Saanen Section of the Herd Book, shall have borne a kid during the year in which the show is held, and obtain an award in its inspection class. For each Inspection Prize, 1st, 5 points; 2nd, 4 points; 3rd, 3 points, 4th, 2 points, 5th, 1 point. A goat must qualify in the Milking Competition and the points secured therein shall be added to the Inspection points.

An ecological perspective on long-term human impact within the New Forest – Abstract & Video

The following paper was presented at the New Forest Knowledge Conference 2017 entitled: New Forest Historical Research and Archaeology: who’s doing it? Below you will find the abstract of the paper and a video of the paper given if permission to film it was given by the speaker.

Speaker:

Dr Michael J Grant, COARS, Ocean and Earth Science, National Oceanography Centre Southampton, University of Southampton, European Way, Southampton, SO14 3ZH

Abstract

The New Forest epitomises the term landscape – land shaped by the people – and has been subject to a unique series of events culminating in the current structure of its vegetation and land use. The rich documentary and cartographic record attaining to the New Forest has provided key insights into processes since the medieval period, yet the record of human activity further back in the past becomes increasingly sparse, especially before the Bronze Age where little can be gleaned from the archaeological record. This means there needs to be a reliance on other sources of information that can infer past human activities and their impact within the Forest. One such long-term archive resides within the peatlands that are so numerous across the Forest. By analysing the plant remains and pollen grains preserved within the deep ‘bog’ sequences it is possible to determine the vegetation present within the Forest in the distant past and how it has constantly evolved since the last ice age. These long records highlight periods of increased human activity and changes in past land management, therefore providing a much-needed environmental context for the archaeological remains found within the Forest. Most notably these records show that the heathlands are not solely the result of Bronze Age clearances, and some areas of the Ancient and Ornamental woodlands have always sustained a tree canopy and therefore never subject to extensive clearance – a claim that very few woodlands in England can substantiate.

The Talk

Animal Maiming in the New Forest as an instrument of protest and punishment, during the wardenship of the Duke of Bedford: 1746-1771 – Abstract & Video

The following paper was presented at the New Forest Knowledge Conference 2017 entitled: New Forest Historical Research and Archaeology: who’s doing it? Below you will find the abstract of the paper and a video of the paper given if permission to film it was given by the speaker.

Speaker:

Gale Gould
(University of Southampton)

Abstract

During the Duke of Bedford’s tenure as Lord Warden of the New Forest, many instances of animal maiming were documented in the correspondence with his assistants, estate managers and Forest officials. These included accounts of the stabbing of horses, laming of cattle, poisoning of dogs and killing of deer. The motives for conducting acts of maiming have been closely associated with forms of covert political protest, such as breaking enclosures, destroying timber plantations, burning hayricks and even poaching. Such clandestine acts were generally committed as part of an organised campaign of discontent. Attacks on animals were also undertaken as a form of punishment or petty revenge, with the animal acting as a proxy for its owner. Many of the cases in the New Forest during the period of this study were acts perpetrated to frustrate the Lord Warden’s attempts to advance his conservation policy of protecting the venison and vert, by intimidating his keepers and law-abiding tenants. In some cases, the perpetrators were not necessarily demonstrating against their own discontent but were being incited to use such violence by senior officials, who wanted to express their dissatisfaction with Bedford’s attempts to correct their maladministration of the Forest and to hide their own corrupt activities.

The Talk

Anti-tank gunners in Ringwood High Street

Anti-tank gunners practicing defending approaches to RAF Ibsley aerodrome in the centre of Ringwood to the amusement of some locals and probably annoyance of the local shop keepers.

All Photos are credit: Imperial War Museum for Non-Commercial Use (Licence)

Armaments Research Department – Millersford Overview

If you were to enjoy a walk from Turf Hill Carpark towards Turf Hill Enclosure and then on to Millersford you might notice several earth mounds that look remarkably like Bronze Age Barrows. However these mounds are the survivals of more recent human activity. If you had been doing the same walk from 1941 onwards you might have either been a signatory of the Official Secrets Act or about to get into trouble as a trespasser or even worse potentially about to lose some limbs. As this was the location of a WWII experimental site concerned with the testing of static explosives.

The experimental range here was not associated with the Ashley Walk Bombing Range across the road, but did move into the area because of the bombing range and to make use of some of the logistics and amenities put in place for it.

In January 1941 the Research Department Woolwich, Directorate of Explosives Research and Physics Branch relocated from Shoebury Ness on Essex coast due to invasion concern. The new range was nominally responsibility of Ministry of Supply, but was known as the Armaments Research Department.

An archive document made known to us by Peter Kirk dating to July 1940 deals with the site setup and requirements (some of which are included as images above)

1940 Description and Location

This area is intended for the static detonation trials of high explosive bombs with provision of necessary workshop and laboratory facilities to enable the measurements of fragmentation distribution penetration and velocity together with the measurements of blast velocity and pressure to be made. When necessary, photographic records by means of ultra-rapid cinematography can be obtained.

High chain link fence boundaries were erected to enclose a roughly circular area 1,000 yards in diameter with a point of entrance situated near the road from Cadnam to Downton. Two lookout points were also built with clear views of the range.

A number of administration buildings such as offices and stores were located were the current car park is and you can see some of the building platforms nearby (Specifically buildings number 4 & 5 on the 1948 Block Plan above). These were detailed in a 1940 drawing R.D.5782 and can be seen in some of the photos that we obtained with the oral histories.

The 1940 document provides us with a suggested site plan and building list, which can be handily compared to 1946 Aerial Images of the site, 2011 Lidar surveys and a map of the site layout produced by Anthony Passmore in his 1993 book: New Forest Explosives: Account of the Schultze Gunpowder Company Eyeworth and the Armaments Research Department Millersford. All of which show the original proposals didn’t differ too much from what actually came into existence on the site.

The heart of the range had a radius of 250 yards and was surrounded by seven laboratories protected by blast banks of earth. These included the Control Centre from which bombs detonated, two used for velocity and fragmentation experiments (An additional one was added after 1941), 2 for pressure readings, 1 for use as an electronic workshop for construction of high gain amplifiers. The closest laboratory to the blast area was only 100 yards from firing point and contained the Vinten high speed cine camera for filming the explosions.

Staffing

The 1940 document sets out the following staff demands for the site:

Scientific

  • Scientist in charge of S.S.O.
  • 4 E.O
  • 2 E.A
  • 2 Laboratory Assistants

Subordinates

  • 1 Carpenter
  • 1 Fitter
  • 1 Lorry Driver for 3 ton lorry
  • 4 Skilled labourers
  • 1 Clerk

Some senior staff and twenty technical staff came as part of the relocation in 1941, but the rest of the staff were recruited locally (as you will see from some of the oral histories below). The numbers given above are a lot less than the staffing numbers the range ended up requiring as seen from a 1945 group photo we have from one of the staff members based at the range: Group Photo with names – SAE Millersford – 1945

Testing and Activities at the Range

The range originally tested 1,000lb bombs, but due to the impact on local property and the expenses of compensation as a result the range focused on 500lbs bombs.

Research in the National Archives has identified various reports (DSIR27/21) of some of the tests undertaken at Millersford including testing of explosions and shrapnel on items like air warden helmets, reinforced concrete slabs, ‘Clark Crete’ safety lights and other materials. One test undertaken at two sites was ‘Methods of limiting the actions of unexploded bombs’ full scale experiments were undertaken in clay soils at Stewartby in clay soils and at Ashley in sand soils using 250lb A.S. and 250kg. bombs buried in 10ft. and 12ft. 6in. deep respectively. The cover consisted of either loose sand or sandbags, and three methods of loading were compared:

  • hand shovelling with a portable belt conveyor
  • piling sandbags with a belt conveyor, and
  • stacking sandbags by hand

The following measurements and observations were made:

  • A profile of the ground configuration and sand covering before and after the explosion
  • The maximum horizontal earth movement at various distances near the bomb, observed by means on inertia-type displacement meters
  • The permanent horizontal and vertical earth movement at various distances near the bomb, as revealed by pegs in the earth
  • High speed cine photography of the explosion. Speed of film varied from 64 to about 150 frames per second in different experiments
  • The time required to erect the sand coverings

Some images from the tests can be found in photos above and you can read a copy of the report here

You can find more memories of Millersford Experimental Work By following these links to the Oral Histories and Personal Memories

Group Photo with names – SAE Millersford – 1945

Vera Storr – Memories of a secret Blast Tester at Millersford Range

Betty McCarthy – Memories of assistant photographer at Millersford Range

Barbara Smith – Memories of the secret work at Millersford Range

John Robinson – Blast Pressure Group. Armaments Research Test Range – Millersford Range

Roy Pilgrim – Superintendent, the Lancaster Crash and an unrecognised hero?

Around the World Flight Attempt in 1924

In 1924 a team from the Royal Air Force (RAF) consisting of leader: Archibald Stuart MacLaren,  pilot: Flying Officer William Noble Plenderleith and flight engineer: Sergeant W.H. Andrews supported logistically in the UK by Sergeant W.H Andrews attempted to fly around the world in a Vickers Vulture amphibious bi-plane (G-EBHO). The Vulture was a Mark VI variant powered by a single 450 NP Napier Lion engine.

The planned flight was to cover 23,254 miles in an estimated 293 hours of flying. It was to start at Calshot on 24 March 1924 and would proceed eastward through Frances, Italy and the Mediterranean to Cairo. it would then cross India, Burma and China and continue through Japan and Russia via the Aleutian Islands to Alaska. It would then cross Canada and Newfoundland before crossing the Atlantic to Portugal, Spain, back through France to Southampton. This flight effort had the blessings of the King of England.

The flight was beset by bad weather and several mishaps; in Italy they hit some floating driftwood damaging the plane, they then had to have an unplanned stop in Greece to replace an engine and then another replacement engine in India and then a radiator replacement. The whole plane was then replaced after a crash in Akyab Harbour Burma. They were then beset by illness, but made it to Tokyo. The flight plan then took them into the uncharted Russian wilderness and lost radio contact with the watching world. Whilst near Bering Island low fog forced a sea landing which finally ended their round the world flight attempt. They survived and were able to beach their plane and were then rescued by a Russian Vessel August 4th 1924.

British Pathe have footage of the Vulture’s preparation for departure from Calshot

Good Luck And God Speed 1924

FILM ID:336.02

Title: “Good Luck and God Speed! Squadron Leader A.S. Maclaren sets out on daring attempt to fly round the World”.

Description: M/S of four men talking in a huddle. M/S of Maclaren and a woman (his wife?) piling up assorted bits of luggage, the background a small crowd are gathered beside a biplane in front of an aircraft hanger. M/S of a man passing up a camera to Maclaren in the cockpit, Maclaren fixes the camera to tripod attached to the plane. Low angled of Maclaren fiddling with the camera. M/S of the man lifting a little girl – the Squadron Leader’s daughter? – to sit next to Maclaren in the cockpit.