Embedded Files
From: 153 Spring 2021
Author: Peter Smith
As reported in the last edition of this journal, evidence of the WW1 flying training aerodrome on Port Meadow has been revealed in a non-invasive archaeological (magnetometry) survey undertaken last Autumn.
The annotated photos highlight that most of the main structures can be seen, including surprisingly, several of the canvas hangars. Most were temporary in nature, and not expected to leave evidence behind. Such clear plots can be attributed in part to the Meadow being uncultivated for over 1,000 years, to the use in its construction of magnetised coal ash/cinder for tracks, paths and ramps, groundcrew leaving behind metal bolts around one hangar when dismantling it, marking its outline, and to the construction of some of the more substantive structures, such as the corrugated iron clad main Flight Shed (used for rigging and repairing aeroplanes) with metal trusses supported on padstones with a likely raised floor, and use of brick supports for a number of timber sheds used for instruction.
Northern area (main complex)
Northern area (main complex)
1-6. Sites of Bessonneau hangars.
7. Probably a soak-away to take rainwater from the yard area.
8. 1915 type Flight Shed corrugated iron building.
9 Yard/parking area.
10 Area of instruction huts and path.
11 Access track.
The access road from Godstow Road can clearly be seen, terminating at the main yard behind the Flight Shed. This road was built by the Council in 1916 solely for the aerodrome. Some drainage and water supply pipes can be identified, and there is the remnant of a brick stop cock chamber visible today. Aside from the line of the access road, the only other above ground remnant is the small concrete “Target” hut further out into the Meadow on the Wolvercote Common side of Shiplake ditch. That is looking rather sorry for itself now covered in warning notices, with its future uncertain. Demolition was locally mooted by some in 2018/19, but it is protected by the Ancient Monument scheduling. Preservation would however be quite expensive. It would be a great shame if it simply collapsed.
Southern area (firing range)
Southern area (firing range)
12. SW end of firing range (butts)
13. NE end of firing range
14. Probable Iron Age or Bronze Age settlement and trackway.
15. Probable aeroplane compass adjusting circle.
16. Various ditches and other prehistoric remains.
To the South West of the main complex, near the Thames, was the firing range for the sighting of and practising with aeroplane machine guns, and a nearby concrete circle for calibrating aeroplane compasses. The plots reveal the 2 parts of the range and the “shadow” of the circle, but most interestingly, more detail of the pre-historic features there. Little did the RFC know, that they built their utilitarian structures right in amongst the Late Iron Age settlement! We are hoping that the pre-historian and archaeological communities in Oxford will interpret more of the detail from these plots. The survey report has been deposited with the Archaeology Data Service in accordance with Historic England requirements when granting consent for the survey.
Due to the Meadow’s Scheduled Ancient Monument status, it is not possible to excavate the site, and that would risk damaging the delicate remains. It is also illegal to metal detect. The remnants seem to have survived well, despite their temporary almost ephemeral nature, and regular flooding. Hopefully more of the Meadow and Common will be surveyed in the future, perhaps with different techniques and potentially more advanced equipment, as it has been shown the Meadows wealth of history is there to be discovered, or at least the detail of what we do know enhanced!
Finally, the surveyor who undertook the survey, Roger Ainslie of Abingdon Archaeological Geophysics, has produced a video of the survey project that you may find interesting. It is on You Tube and it’s title is “A Geophysical survey of the WW1 aerodrome and Prehistoric remains on Port Meadow, Oxford, 2020.” https://youtu.be/dxiG4D61AG4
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