Westward Ho flying sites
Note: This map shows the location of RAF WESTWARD HO!
WESTWARD HO! Temporary landing site
Note: This first site is also listed under NORTHAM BURROWS
A MICHAEL T HOLDER GALLERY
These items were kindly provided by Mike Holder, a great friend of this 'Guide'. The newspaper pictures were published in the Hartland and West Country Chronicle on the 16th June 1912. The article below, divided into seven pages to make it easier to read, was published in the North Devon Journal on the 13th June 1912, and is to date the most comprehensive and detailed account found anywhere, (so far), of one of Salmet's venues in 1912.
The last item, the area view, is from my Google Earth © derived database.
BONUS PICTURE
This picture shows the scene in recent years of where Salmet is seen landing in the second item above. St Margaret's Church in Northam can just be made out in the newspaper picture.
NOTES: On the 8th of June 1912 Henri Salmet landed in a field adjacent to the Pebble Ridge Hotel, (sometimes spelt as one word - Pebbleridge), at North Burrows. He had taken-off from Mr COPP’S FIELD, Sticklepath in/near Barnstaple and had flown towards Ilfracombe where quite a crowd had assembled.
Unfortunately a severe thunderstorm was placed over Ilfracombe so Salmet turned instead for Westward Ho! A local band struck up with ‘Hail the conquering hero comes'.
A crowd several thousand strong had gathered, many brought in on special trains.
I’ve said it several times elsewhere in this 'Guide', (but it seems worth repeating?), that it is hard to appreciate quite how strong the massive attraction of even seeing an aeroplane was in those days, let alone one actually flying! Poor weather delayed Salmet’s departure until 18.00 on the 10th but, (I think his dedication must be applauded), he flew back to Ilfracombe so as not to disappoint the crowds, circling at around 1500ft.
This feat might not be viewed as being in any way remarkable but it shows that considerable advances had been made to the basic Blériot monoplane design as the original which Blériot himself had first flown across the English Channel in July 1909 could not attain 500ft! Later versions could also carry a passenger. Henri Salmet is certainly recorded as carrying passengers with his Blériot during his tours of southern England in 1913.
WESTWARD HO!: Military aerodrome
Note: This picture was obtained from Google Earth ©
Military users: RNAS (Later RAF) Marine Operations Station
RNAS (Royal Naval Air Service): 502 & 503 Flights (Airco DH6s)
RAF (Royal Air Force): 260 Sqdn (Airco DH9s)
Location: Now part of Northam Burrows Country Park, just NNE of Westward Ho!, about 2nm NNW of Bideford town centre
Period of operation: 1918 to 1919
Site area: 90 acres Operating area 640 x 640 diameter
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