Berechurch Hall Grounds
BERECHURCH HALL GROUNDS: Temporary Landing Ground
Operated by: Lt. Thomas G. Hetherington
Location: Just S of Berechurch Hall, roughly 2.25nm S of Colchester city centre
Period of operation: 21st and 22nd October 1912
A MICHAEL T HOLDER GALLERY
Once again we have Mike Holder, a great long-term friend of this 'Guide', to thank for both discovering this little known location, and providing the following items to illustrate the listing. In October 1912, Lt. Hetherington, together with a friend in the Royal Flying Corps, decided to fly across from their base in ALDERSHOT, (later better known as FARNBOROUGH), to visit his family home. In those days, being of the 'Officer' class, it was quite common practice for pilots to use 'their' aeroplane for private purposes.
This escapade also serves to illustrate just how quickly advances were being made, especially in terms of engine reliability, mainly being led by the French in those days of course, as was the airframe also in this case.
Photo One is from Colchester In Old Photographs by Andrew Philips. It shows the Breguet Type IV, not to be confused with the Breguet 4 built in France during WW1.
The Breguet Type IV came in several different versions, mainly defined by the type of engine fitted. The type was also used by the Royal Naval Air Service, both as landplanes and floatplanes. It had astonishing load-carrying capabilities and a search on the inter-web should soon reveal a picture of one carrying about, (it is claimed), ten people - including the pilot. Then again it was originally designed to be a bomber.
The Notice appeared in the Western Times on the 23rd October 1912, and the aerial photo is also from Colchester In Old Photographs.
The picture of the Hall is from Colchester In Old Photographs, and the local view, local area view and area view are from my Google Earth© derived database.
NOTES: When I began this project, in 2026 now over a quarter of a century ago, I had absolutely no idea, (or should I say very little?), about just how much flying was going on in the U.K. prior to WW1, both civilian and military. I do hope that for many visitors to this 'Guide' this aspect alone will be of considerable interest.
We'd love to hear from you, so please scroll down to leave a comment!
Leave a comment ...
Copyright (c) UK Airfield Guide
