Southampton Common
SOUTHAMPTON COMMON: Temporary Landing Ground
Operated by: Henri Salmet
Location: Just N of Southampton city centre
Period of operation: 22nd to 24th August 1912
In 1912 the Daily Mail sponsored six aviators, (as pilots were known in those days), to conduct 'exhibitions of flying' around the U.K. Two of these embarked on extended tours. These being the then very famous French aviator Henri Salmet, and the equally famous British aviator Claude Grahame-White - his tour being named 'Wake Up England'.
The Daily Mail had been a great promoter of powered aviation since 1906, being very aware of advances being made elsewhere, especially in France. Despite very generous cash prizes being offered, powered aviation in the U.K. didn't get going until 1909. Following on from the huge success of the Grand Semaine d'Aviation de la Champagne held in Reims from the 22nd to the 29th August 1909, two major Air Meetings were held at Doncaster from the 16th to 26th October, followed by Blackpool from the 18th to the 25th. This was something of lash up, effectively splitting the number of participants into two - most of whom were French.
Even so, despite some epic long distance air races being staged in the U.K., and the formation of HENDON aerodrome in or around 1910, the vast majority of people in this country in 1912, had never seen an aeroplane, let alone one actually flying. So, when this Daily Mail sponsored campaign commenced, with the specific aim of taking powered aviation to the people, it created a nationwide sensation with huge crowds gathering. The aviators were féted as heroes and lavish civic banquets arranged in their honour.
Tours like this had never been arranged before, and in this case, Mike Holder, a great friend of this 'Guide', took it upon himself to research the subject. A full schedule can be found in my article - 'The 1912 tour by Henri Salmet'.
A MICHAEL T HOLDER GALLERY
Note: The picture shows the Lady Mayoress talking to Henri Salmet.
Note: The fourth item was published in the Portsmouth Evening News on the 23rd August 1912.
The sixth item, the photo of part of the crowd is interesting - it being a composite picture - a very common ploy in those days. The clue being, of course, that nobody is looking at the aeroplane!
Note: The newspaper article was published in the Banbury Guardian on the 29th August 1912. The area view is from my Google Earth © derived database.
The route Salmet took for this tour seems to make no sense at all. I suppose there were sensible reasons employed at the time, but we shall I expect never know what these were. It is today hard to conjure up a more convoluted route, showing that Salmet was required to fly a much greater distance than that required looking at the geography of England and South Wales.
What we do know, is that without much doubt due to undertaking major surgery at about half-way through this tour, and by not allowing himself enough time to fully recuperate, the full extent of this tour was not realised.
A POSTNOTE
After entering the listing for this location, Graham Frost, also a great friend of this 'Guide', pointed out that a major balloon event was held here in 2000, as part of the Balloon and Flower Festival.
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