RAF Hornchurch facts for kids
Quick facts for kids RAF Hornchurch
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| Near Hornchurch, Essex in England | |||||||||||
Station badge
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 RAF Hornchurch
RAF Hornchurch
RAF Hornchurch
Shown within Greater London
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| Coordinates | 51°32′19″N 000°12′17″E / 51.53861°N 0.20472°E | ||||||||||
| Type | Royal Air Force station parent station 1928 - sector station ? - 1944 |
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| Code | HO/HC | ||||||||||
| Site information | |||||||||||
| Owner | Air Ministry | ||||||||||
| Operator | Royal Flying Corps Royal Air Force |
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| Controlled by | RAF Fighter Command 1928–44 * No. 11 Group RAF |
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| Site history | |||||||||||
| Built | 1915 & 1928 | ||||||||||
| In use | 3 October 1915 – 31 December 1919, (As Sutton's Farm), 1 April 1928 – 1 July 1962, (As RAF Hornchurch) |
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| Battles/wars | First World War European theatre of World War II Cold War |
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| Airfield information | |||||||||||
| Elevation | 18 metres (59 ft) AMSL | ||||||||||
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RAF Hornchurch was an important Royal Air Force base in England. It was located near Hornchurch, which is now part of London. This airfield played a big role in protecting London during both the First World War and the Second World War.
During the First World War, it was called Sutton's Farm. It was a smaller airfield then, covering about 90 acres. Its main job was to defend London from enemy air attacks. After that war, the airfield closed for a while.
But in 1928, it reopened as a much larger base. It was perfectly placed to defend London and the Thames River from air attacks. RAF Hornchurch was a key military site for many years. It finally closed in 1962.
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Protecting London: First World War
In 1915, London needed protection from German airships. These huge balloons could drop bombs. So, airfields like Sutton's Farm were built around the city. Sutton's Farm started operating on October 3, 1915. It had two BE2c planes to begin with.
As the war continued, the threat changed from airships to enemy airplanes. Pilots at Sutton's Farm flew different types of planes. They worked hard to defend London's skies.
A pilot named John Slessor made the first attempt to stop an enemy airship in October 1915. But the airship escaped into the clouds. The first successful attack happened almost a year later. On September 2, 1916, Lieutenant William Leefe Robinson from Sutton's Farm shot down a German airship. He used special bullets that caught fire. For his bravery, he received the Victoria Cross, a very high award. He became a national hero!
Other pilots, like Frederick Sowrey and Wulstan Tempest, also became heroes. They shot down enemy airships too. Lieutenant Tempest even had to pump fuel by hand while flying his plane! Many streets in South Hornchurch are named after these brave pilots.
Reopening as RAF Hornchurch
After the First World War, Sutton's Farm airfield closed down. The land was given back, and people started farming there again. But in the 1920s, the Royal Air Force needed to grow. They looked for old airfields that could be used again.
Sutton's Farm was a great spot to defend London. So, the land was bought back, and a new, bigger airfield was built. It took four years to complete. In April 1928, it opened as RAF Sutton's Farm. Soon after, it was renamed RAF Hornchurch. The first group of planes to arrive was No. 111 Squadron, led by Keith Park.
RAF Hornchurch in the Second World War
RAF Hornchurch became incredibly important during the Second World War. It was a key base for RAF Fighter Command during the Battle of Britain in 1940. Its job was to protect London and southeast England from German air attacks. Because of this, the German air force, called the Luftwaffe, attacked Hornchurch many times.
Many brave pilots flew from Hornchurch. One famous pilot was Richard Hillary, who later wrote a book about his experiences. He flew from Hornchurch in 1940.
After the Battle of Britain, Hornchurch continued to be a base for fighter planes. These planes flew missions across the English Channel. For example, in 1942, planes from Hornchurch helped with the Dieppe Raid, a large military operation.
Later in the war, as the Normandy landings (D-Day) approached, many fighter planes moved to bases closer to the action. Hornchurch's role changed. In 1944, special balloons called barrage balloons were put up nearby. They helped protect against V-1 flying bombs, which were like early missiles. These balloons made it unsafe for planes to take off from Hornchurch. So, the base became a place where military staff gathered before moving to other locations.
After the Wars: Closure of RAF Hornchurch
After the Second World War, RAF Hornchurch was kept ready for use if needed. From 1947 to 1953, it was home to a flying school. Later, a center for choosing new aircrew members was based there.
Even after most flying stopped, a special balloon unit stayed. They used balloons to train military personnel how to parachute. In 1961, a brave soldier named Albert E. Small won the George Medal for his courage. He helped during a dangerous situation with a deflating balloon at 800 feet.
RAF Hornchurch officially closed in July 1962.
RAF Hornchurch Today
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Today, the land where RAF Hornchurch once stood is a beautiful place. It is now Hornchurch Country Park. This park was created in the 1980s. Most of the old buildings were removed in the 1960s. The area is now a housing estate.
Many streets in the housing estate are named after the airfield and its brave pilots. You can find names like Bouchier Walk, Tempest Way, and Robinson Close. The building that was once the Officers' Mess is now a medical center.
Two local schools also remember the airfield's history. The R. J. Mitchell School is named after the designer of the famous Spitfire plane. Another school, Sanders Draper School, is named after an American pilot. This pilot, Raimund Sanders Draper, bravely stayed with his failing aircraft to prevent it from crashing into the school, saving many children.
You can still find some old military structures in the country park. These include pillboxes and gun positions. They remind us of the airfield's important past. The Purfleet Heritage & Military Centre also has many items from RAF Hornchurch.
The story of RAF Hornchurch was even featured on a BBC TV show called Two Men in a Trench. They explored some of the old defenses.
RAF Hornchurch Heritage Centre
The RAF Hornchurch Heritage Centre opened in June 2021. It is run by the Hornchurch Aerodrome Historical Trust. The centre is located in Suttons House. This building was once part of a hospital used by RAF personnel during the Second World War. The official opening event was held on September 23, 2021.
See also
- Battle of Britain
- List of Battle of Britain airfields
- List of Battle of Britain squadrons
- List of former Royal Air Force stations
