Wolvercote WW1 Aerodrome Memorial

The First World War brought a dramatic realisation of the military value of the aeroplane, but this had first been acknowledged in the formation of the Royal Flying Corps in April 1912. In September of that year, two RFC pilots lost their lives when their plane crashed just north of Port Meadow, and they have been commemorated ever since 1913, when a memorial was erected alongside the pavement leading to the Trout Inn.

With the increased use of aircraft during the war came the need for pilot training and Port Meadow was designated for this purpose. An aerodrome was established at the north end of the Meadow, served by a new access road named Aerodrome Road, which ran from about the entrance to the car park. Some of this can be traced today, but the only other remnant of the many buildings is the concrete ‘target hut’ in the direction of Wolvercote Common. The use of the Meadow as an airfield was not without mishaps, some of them fatal, and the centenary of the war was a good time to commemorate those who died. No fewer than 17 airmen from the aerodrome lost their lives, most on or near Port Meadow, although 2 based there died when their plane crashed near Ascot.

Now they will be remembered not only in archived records, but on Port Meadow itself, where on 23rd May a memorial stone was unveiled by the Lord Lieutenant Tim Stevenson. The weather was perfect, and the inclusion of a public address system meant those present not only had a good view, but could hear the various speeches. After the Lord Mayor Colin Cook had welcomed everyone, the Lord Lieutenant explained the significance of the occasion, and paid a particular tribute to our Chairman Howard Crapper, who was unable to attend so soon after his unhappy involvement in a car crash, but who had paid a very prominent part in the instigation and funding of the memorial. Peter Smith, who had chaired the committee behind the project, then gave an account of the history of aviation on the Meadow, after which the names of those 17 airmen were read out by children from Wolvercote School. There was a particular significance in one of the names – that of Captain George Thomson. Aged only 20, he had already received the Military Cross for shooting down 20 enemy aircraft, when he died exactly 100 years earlier on 23rd May 1918.

The Royal British Legion Prayer was followed by a short reading, after which the Lord Lieutenant unveiled the memorial. This was the cue for the bugler to play the Last Post and – after one minute’s silence – Reveille. The memorial was then blessed to conclude the proceedings.

It was a memorable and also a colourful occasion. The standards of the Royal British Legion and the uniforms of the schoolchildren and the many representatives of the RAF stood out against the Meadow. And a striking visitor, which could not be missed, was a replica Bristol Scout bi-plane standing in the background. It did not take off, but the engine was fired up twice. Its flimsy construction showed only too clearly how perilous flying was 100 years ago.

Visitors to the Meadow will of course be able to see the memorial stone. But that is not all. A new interpretation board has been erected behind it, giving a detailed account of World War One activity there, with many illustrations. It should certainly not be missed.