The grade II listed Airman’s Cross at Airman’s Corner was moved to a more fitting site as part of the changes to the Stonehenge access. The memorial is now placed where it is more accessible, where more people will be able to learn about this aspect of local aviation history. The Earl and Countess of Wessex attended the rededication service of the cross earlier this year.
This cross was erected in memory of two pioneering airmen who were killed in a flying accident near here in 1912. It marks this area as the cradle of British military aviation.
The open grassland around Stonehenge made it particularly suitable for flying early aircraft, and military flying began here in 1911. Within a year the Royal Flying Corps had been created.
Captain Eustace Loraine and Staff Sergeant Richard Wilson were flying a Nieuport monoplane from Larkhill airfield north of Stonehenge, on a routine training flight on 5 July 1912. They were executing a steep turn when, unaccountably, the aircraft crashed. The two men were the first members of the Royal Flying Corps to lose their lives on duty.
Captain Loraine’s enthusiasm for flying was infectious. Only weeks before the accident, he inspired his friend and former commanding officer Hugh Trenchard to learn to fly, which he did shortly after Loraine’s death. Trenchard would go on to command the Royal Flying Corps in France during the First World War and to become the founder of the Royal Air Force in 1918.*
*From a sign board next to the memorial cross.
I did not know of this splendid and modest memorial.
The language of the sign gives me hope. All too often signs which are supposed to imform are dry and without heart, but that one has the right ‘touch’.
I had not heard of it before although I must have driven past it many times on previous visits.
It is in a far more fitting place for display and remembrance than its previous location. More people will have chance to learn of the history.
This is a beautiful monument Cherie… thank you for the history about it and the creation of the Royal Air Force….peter:)
I also think the monument is beautiful. I am glad you enjoyed the history.
“The cradle of British military aviation.” That alone is saying a lot for you Brits, Cherry. A simple but very appropriate marker, I’d say.
I am glad it has been moved to a place where more people can see and know about it.
An interesting story, I’m glad that I could read it
Regards
I am glad you found it interesting
It was those brave young men and women then, acrobatics on the wings etc.
I think in WW1 it was brave and scared young men flying those wings.
The posts on Stonehenge are wonderful and I checked out the link to the making of the Neolithic Houses. I am so glad that there are volunteers that make visible what was there eons ago.
I am so fascinated by all this. I always say, there is much more between heaven and earth then we will ever know……
That is one of my phrases too
I wish I lived closer to the Stonehenge area I would certainly volunteer at one or more of the sites. I find all of it fascinating
I’d love to see their new visitor centre one day.
I hope you get the chance to. The new visiting experience is a vast improvement on how it was before.