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Monument record TQ 76 SE 128 - Possible Royal Engineers Balloon Pit at Lidsing
Summary
It is known that by 1887 the government had bought 80 acres of land at Lidsing to establish a permanent balloon training depot. The precise location is not known but the 'old chalk pit' immediately south of the crossroads at Lidsing seems a likely place. If so then this is an important site as it represents one of the earliest sites of military aviation in the UK and fittings may remain buried beneath the ground.
Location
| Grid reference | TQ 7856 6198 (point) |
|---|---|
| Map sheet | TQ76SE |
| County | KENT |
| District | MAIDSTONE, KENT |
| Civil Parish | BOXLEY, MAIDSTONE, KENT |
Map
Type and Period (1)
Full Description
It is known that by 1887 the government had bought 80 acres of land at Lidsing to establish a permanent balloon training depot. The precise location is not known but the 'old chalk pit' immediately south of the crossroads at Lidsing seems a likely place. Colonel James Lethbridge Brooke Templer was tasked with establishing the depot and lived at Lidsing. If this is the place then this is an important site as it represents one of the earliest sites of military aviation in the UK and fittings may remain buried beneath the ground.(1)
<1> Peter Kendall, 2020, The Royal Engineers Balloon Pit at Lidsing, Kent (Unpublished document). SKE53616.
Sources/Archives (1)
- <1> SKE53616 Unpublished document: Peter Kendall. 2020. The Royal Engineers Balloon Pit at Lidsing, Kent.
Finds (0)
Protected Status/Designation
Related Monuments/Buildings (0)
Related Events/Activities (1)
- Non-Intrusive Event: The Royal Engineers Balloon Pit at Lidsing, Kent (Ref: 2 December 2020) (EKE20276)
Record last edited
Jul 26 2024 5:11PM