Warfare in News

The last intact First World War airfield in the UK, Stow Maries in Essex, is due to be completely restored thanks to a National Heritage Memorial Fund grant of £1.5m secured by a campaign by a group of volunteers.

Stow Maries was built in 1916 as a base for the new 37 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps, who were defending London against German bombing raids. It closed in 1919 and was only rediscovered by a group of enthusiasts 90 years later.

Among the 24 original Grade II listed Royal Flying Corps operation buildings remaining are the original officers' mess, other ranks' mess, blacksmith's, ambulance station and morgue.

The site was in danger of being sold for development, but the Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome Trust plan to restore the airfield to its wartime condition and open a museum commemorating the men who flew there.

The last intact First World War airfield in the UK, Stow Maries in Essex, is due to be completely restored thanks to a National Heritage Memorial Fund grant of £1.5m secured by a campaign by a group of volunteers. Stow Maries was built in 1916 as a base for the new 37 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps, who were defending London against German bombing raids. It closed in 1919 and was only rediscovered by a group of enthusiasts 90 years later. Among the 24 original Grade II listed Royal Flying Corps operation buildings remaining are the original officers' mess, other ranks' mess, blacksmith's, ambulance station and morgue. The site was in danger of being sold for development, but the Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome Trust plan to restore the airfield to its wartime condition and open a museum commemorating the men who flew there.