A new WW1 memorial to 17 airmen
Donation protected
17 young airmen were killed in flying accidents while visiting, instructing at or learning to fly from a WW1 training aerodrome on Port Meadow, north of Oxford near Wolvercote. Their tragic loss is not recognised or even widely known about, and a group of us "locals" want to change that with a new memorial to be unveiled in 2018!
Flying from the Meadow and the adjacent Wolvercote Common began in 1911, but it's peak use was by the Royal Flying Corps (and later RAF) from mid 1916 to late 1919. It’s primary role was to train pilots and observers to meet the huge expansion of the air force from 1916. All remaining fixtures and fittings were sold off in February 1920.
Unfortunately, flying and pilot training were very dangerous, and 12 fatal crashes occurred from March 1917 to November 1918. 17 airmen died - including experienced visiting pilots, instructors and trainees with an average age of 23. Several were combat veterans. 15 died locally, 2 near Ascot in Berkshire. 8 of the airmen are buried locally in Wolvercote Cemetery, another in Botley, west of Oxford, the others in their home towns. We are in touch with relatives of 10 of the casualties who live around the world, including in Australia, South Africa, USA, Canada and the UK.
With the design and location agreed, and with support from the City Council, the project committee - which includes 2 former Lord Mayors and representatives of the landowners - have secured planning permission and Common Land consent, and in parallel have been raising funds. The original target was £10,000 for the memorial, interpretation panel and non-invasive archaeological geophys survey. We have now raised just over £11,000 are are now entering the delivery phase, with the foundation due to be put in by the end of 2017, at which point we will order the memorial stone.
We are still wanting to continue to raise funds for a community event(s) around the unveiling.
We hope you consider this a worthy cause!
Please support us and check out our Facebook page for more information - www.facebook.com/wolvercoteww1memorial
Depending upon how successful fund raising is, we may also look to fund works to preserve the last remaining above ground WW1 structure on the site – known locally as the “Target” – which is deteriorating. This was a refuge for groundcrew setting out targets in a ditch nearby, for bombing and shooting practice.
Flying from the Meadow and the adjacent Wolvercote Common began in 1911, but it's peak use was by the Royal Flying Corps (and later RAF) from mid 1916 to late 1919. It’s primary role was to train pilots and observers to meet the huge expansion of the air force from 1916. All remaining fixtures and fittings were sold off in February 1920.
Unfortunately, flying and pilot training were very dangerous, and 12 fatal crashes occurred from March 1917 to November 1918. 17 airmen died - including experienced visiting pilots, instructors and trainees with an average age of 23. Several were combat veterans. 15 died locally, 2 near Ascot in Berkshire. 8 of the airmen are buried locally in Wolvercote Cemetery, another in Botley, west of Oxford, the others in their home towns. We are in touch with relatives of 10 of the casualties who live around the world, including in Australia, South Africa, USA, Canada and the UK.
With the design and location agreed, and with support from the City Council, the project committee - which includes 2 former Lord Mayors and representatives of the landowners - have secured planning permission and Common Land consent, and in parallel have been raising funds. The original target was £10,000 for the memorial, interpretation panel and non-invasive archaeological geophys survey. We have now raised just over £11,000 are are now entering the delivery phase, with the foundation due to be put in by the end of 2017, at which point we will order the memorial stone.
We are still wanting to continue to raise funds for a community event(s) around the unveiling.
We hope you consider this a worthy cause!
Please support us and check out our Facebook page for more information - www.facebook.com/wolvercoteww1memorial
Depending upon how successful fund raising is, we may also look to fund works to preserve the last remaining above ground WW1 structure on the site – known locally as the “Target” – which is deteriorating. This was a refuge for groundcrew setting out targets in a ditch nearby, for bombing and shooting practice.
Organizer
Peter Smith
Organizer
