Your nearest airfield?

I was brought up about halfway between Deanland and Chailey! Used to go gliding at Kitson Field, Ringmer. Nice part of the world Paul F.

Used to be North Weald, currently 'London Southend' - formerly known as RAF Rochford.

Alec wrote:

Used to be North Weald, currently 'London Southend' - formerly known as RAF Rochford.

SD161 for 1942 and 1944 both call it RAF Southend

Carnaby;109314 wrote:

SD161 for 1942 and 1944 both call it RAF Southend

I must confess, I always thought it was RAF Rochford as well.

Seems that Rochford was for a period, a sort of sub-title. Jane's for 1938, in its listing of airfields under the heading "The British Empire - Great Britain", has it as SOUTHEND (Rochford), Essex - Public Aerodrome. However, just to show that differences existed even then; under "Flying Schools", Jane's lists Southend Flying Services Ltd at Rochford Aerodrome. However the Southend Flying Club is listed at Southend Airport!

As for the RAF; although Carnaby is right about SD161 - the airfield has WW1 origins and in those days was known as Rochford and several famous Squadrons formed there. In WW2, the ORB for No 19 Squadron, has the unit at Rochford from 16 Aug 1942 for four days, but later they were at Southend from the 12th to the 20th of May 1944.

So all that's clear innit?

Just checked the National Archives and there is an ORB for RAF Southend covering 1940 Oct to 1944 Aug, ref AIR 28 692. The onlyCatalogue reference to Rochford relates to WW1.

Thanks Mike, interesting to note that the memorial plaque in the terminal refers to RAF Rochford! Still its good to clear it up and know what the official name was for the airfield.

Horsham st faiths, Attlebridge or shipham for me.
Stephen

I think I might win this one......

Here's the view from my window.

This image is hidden for guests.
Please log in or register to see it.

I think I recognise that black landie ?? a sgt in MTSS ??