Monument record TR 02 NE 241 - The site of the First World War airfield of New Romney-Littlestone established in 1917/1918

AIRFIELD. SRF, with extra information and sketch location plan

School of Aerial Gunnery

Recorder- D. Burridge. (1)

The site became an important training facility for the Royal Flying Corps and was home to the School of Aerial Gunnery. However, no airfield was established here until 1917 as the aircraft were based at Lympne. Due to the increased use of the Hythe ranges an airfield was required nearer to them and Dymchurch airfield (also known as Hythe or Pelmarsh) was established. The newly renamed No. 1 (Auxilary) School of Aerial Gunnery moved to the airfield in 1917 which was equipped with a number of Bessonneau hangars and other hutted accommodation. In 1918 the school became the No.1 (Observer) School, and in November 1918 it moved to New Romney airfield. The airfield was maintained as an emergency field and saw continued use by aircraft training on the ranges, however by 1919 it was closed. Although it was examined in 1942 as a possible Advanced Landing Ground, it wasn¿t used. (2)

DYMCHURCH ¿ Also known as Hythe or Pelmarsh. The RFC Machine Gun School move here from Dover on November 27 1915. They used the Hythe ranges whilst the aircraft were based a Lympne. In February 1917 they moved to a new purpose built airfield at Dymchurch which was near Dymchurch Redoubt. In March 1918 the school was retitled No.1 (Observer) School of Aerial Gunnery. Shortly after they moved to a better site at New Romney. Dymchurch then became the main airfield associated with the Hythe ranges. It closed in 1919. (3)

These two sites contain images of the Long Boat and the Jolly Boat, names of Edith Nesbit's houses which were built as part of the First World War airfield at New Romney-Littlestone. (4-5)

<1> Council for British Archaeology, 2002, Defence of Britain Project (Digital archive). SKE32029.

<2> The Military Airfields of Britain. Southern England: Kent, Hampshire, Surrey and Sussex (Unspecified Type). SWX22295.

<3-5> Peter Higginbotham, 2000, The Workhouse, 3-5 (Website). SKE56079.