Appeal for a Local Military Heritage Collection
Association Member Mike Wainwright is a volunteer at his local Military Heritage Centre, which is housed in the historic 18th Century former Royal Gunpowder Magazine at Purfleet-on-Thames, Essex
The last remaining magazine of the Royal Gunpowder Magazines, Purfleet-on-Thames
As part of a refurbishment of their displays, the team there is adding a section on modern conflicts, post WW2. This includes the Falklands, Kosovo, Gulf War and Afghanistan. While they have considerable material for the Army and Navy as they have veterans actively involved, there is very little on the RAF at present.
Mike is appealing for any photographs, uniform, or equipment that might be relevant for this updated display.
Do you have anything that might be useful?
If so email Mike at mike.wainwright@purfleet-hmc.org
Thanks in advance!
Mike Wainwright
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A Squadron History Conundrum
Mike Wainwright’s voluntary work at his local Military Heritage Centre has unearthed some interesting photographs, some of which are reproduced below.
On the 13th September 1931 Flt Lt J N Boothman crossed the finish line in his Supermarine S6b to win the Schneider Trophy outright for Great Britain. The cover was flown in a Vulcan B Mk2 XM594 of 44 Squadron in a formation flypast of 25 aircraft of Strike Command over Buckingham Palace on 11 June 1977 to mark the Silver Jubilee of Her Majesty The Queen. The scanned image below shows signatures and the names of the Vulcan crew.
The conundrum referred to in the paragraph title occurs because the Squadron History has 44’s first operating base as Hainault Farm in Essex, from July 1917 to July 1919. The Squadron was tasked with Home Defence, covering London and the Thames Corridor. However, the first two photograph below, discovered by Mike Wainwright, imply that 44 F Sqn was based at Suttons Farm. But the third one depicts 44 Sqn officers at Hainault Farm in 1918. The two farms are only a few miles apart and were designated Landing Ground Nos II and III. Suttons Farm was re-named in 1928 becoming the famous WWII fighter base RAF Hornchurch.
Air and ground crew of No 44 F Squadron at Suttons Farm
A Sopwith Camel of 44 F Squadron takes to the air at Suttons Farm, 1918
Major Arthur Travers Harris (seated centre, middle row) and officers of 44 Sqn at Hainault Farm in 1918
