Botcherby
BOTCHERBY: Civil aerodrome
Pleasure flights: Border Aviation Co later to become the Ingham and Little Aviation Co late in 1920
Location: 25 acre field on the ESE outskirts of Carlisle city centre. Just S of the A69 and just SW of junction 43 on the M6
Period of operation: 1920 to 1921 only? (Opened on 10th May 1920)
NOTES: This was the first officially recognised civil aerodrome in the region being granted Air Ministry License No.137 to Border Aviation for a six month period in 1920. They also, it appears, operated at SCARBOROUGH. The Ingham and Little Aviation Company recommenced operations on the 12th June 1921 before moving to COCKERMOUTH and later HEYSHAM for the summer season.
These two companies, who were very closely connected, are quite typical of so many short-lived commercial operations that sprang up after WW1. Seriously under-financed, and usually ran by ex-military people with high hopes but no knowledge of how to run a business, most rarely lasted more than one season. In this case, when Border Aviation folded, the remnants were taking up by Messr's Ingham and Little.
After WW1 there were a considerable number of pilots, some by then highly experienced, who earnestly wished to continue flying. At the same time the aeroplane market was awash with used, (and some virtually brand new), surplus aircraft available for sale at 'knock-down' prices. It was this combination that encouraged so many to take a chance, especially for joy-riding operations. The over-riding problem being, of course, that the 'season' did not last throughout the winter, and, with just one or two aircraft, the revenue earned was usually not enough to tide them over.
Trying to piece the exact history is difficult to say the least. Border Aviation had been formed, it seems, according to a Notice posted in Flight magazine on the 29th April 1920, shortly before. It appears that they ceased operations in November 1920 and a Winding Up Notice for the 22nd June 1921 was published in The Solicitors Journal and Weekly Reporter on the 25th June 1921.
What is an interesting aspect, for me at least, is which aircraft they used, and for how long? According to A J Jackson in his book Avro Aircraft since 1908, Border Aviation operated the Avro 504K G-EANQ, (ex J755), for the 1920 season. Ingham & Little Aviation Company operated the Avro 504K G-EAIA, (ex F8717), for the 1921 season. However, an accident report, (see below), involving G-EANQ on the 1st December 1921, states that it was owned by Ingham & Little Aviation. It was uninsured and written off. Typically this is way beyond the remit of this 'Guide' to investigate, but, it does seem to indicate that the story of these two operations has quite a bit more to tell.
A MICHAEL T HOLDER GALLERY
Mike Holder, a great friend of this 'Guide', has supplied much of the information above, and very kindly provided the items below.
Note: The second item was published in Flight magazine on the 29th April 1920. The fourth item was published in the Wigton Advertiser on the 8th May 1920.
Note: The fifth item was published in The Aeroplane magazine on the 9th June 1920. The seventh item, the accident report, has been copied from the Aviation Safety Network. A great on-line reference resource. The last and eighth item, the area view, is from my Google Earth © derived database.
MORE NOTES
If anybody can kindly offer more advice and information, this will be much appreciated.
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