While browsing through local history/archaeology journal “Oxoniensia” last night, I cam across this which rather surprised me. It is referring to the path at the very bottom end of Port Meadow.
“…continued existence of the pedestrian track from Walton Well Road to Medley Boat Station, built in 1860 but enhanced during the Second World War when a crashed Wellington Bomber had to be rescued from the river”.
Annoyingly, there is no reference cited. Any ideas, anyone?
Thanks,
Adrian
By: mike currill - 20th December 2007 at 07:30
Probably more a case of the grey matter not working as well as it used to:D I am getting old you know (note getting – I’m not old yet)
By: adrian_gray - 18th December 2007 at 14:28
Went past at the weekend – no mention of it being the first… If you’ve got it confused with something else, you obviously see more interesting memorials than I do!
Adrian
By: adrian_gray - 14th December 2007 at 09:04
I must confess, I don’t recall anything on the memorial about being a first – I suspect I’m closer than you, want me to look? It’s about 300 yards away…
Adrian
By: mike currill - 13th December 2007 at 17:22
As I said to Adrian I don’t think we’re likely to get the truth after all these years. I do think the Laffan’s Plain crash was the first Military air crash in the UK so I would love to know where the idea came from that the Port Meadow crash was the first and subsequently led to the wording on the plaque. I cannot remember the exact wording so I’ll have a swing round that way some time and find out.
By: adrian_gray - 13th December 2007 at 17:16
Actually, that was rather a snarky response on my part – sorry!
AFAIK both were killed – one in the impact, one thrown clear in the break-up so it was unlikely anyone took notes. Just seems odd to mention one, when three was a crew of two (and I seem to be a snappy git this afternoon…).
Adrian
By: T-21 - 13th December 2007 at 17:08
Sorry don’t know on that one.
By: adrian_gray - 13th December 2007 at 17:03
It was the first British military aviator to be killed,Second Lieutenant E Hotchkiss CFI of Brooklands on Sept 09th 1912 when the Bristol monoplane suffered structural failure and crashed near Oxford.
At risk of being picky, was he killed before or after Bettinson, his crewman… Given that both died.
Wikipedia (usual caveats apply) reckons this was the RFC’s first loss…
“The RFC’s first fatal crash was on 5 July 1912 near Stonehenge on Salisbury Plain. Killed were Captain Eustace B. Loraine and his observer Staff-Sergeant R.H.V. Wilson. An order was issued after the crash stating “Flying will continue this evening as usual”, thus beginning a tradition.”
Adrian
By: T-21 - 13th December 2007 at 16:51
It was the first British military aviator to be killed,Second Lieutenant E Hotchkiss CFI of Brooklands on Sept 09th 1912 when the Bristol monoplane suffered structural failure and crashed near Oxford.
By: mike currill - 13th December 2007 at 16:40
That’s what I thought, perhaps it was the first military aircraft accident in the area. I doubt we’ll ever get to the bottom of it after all these years.
By: adrian_gray - 13th December 2007 at 16:27
Not sure if it was the very first, Mike, I have a feeling it might have been the second in a few days, but it was one of the ones that led to the (in)famous ban on monoplanes. So certainly historically significant.
Actually, wasn’t the first on Laffan’s Plain somewhere?
Adrian
By: mike currill - 13th December 2007 at 08:57
You mat be right, Mike – places like Hampstead Norris and Harwell not far away, one of which was definitely a Wimpey OTU. Plus of course Port Meadow was 300-odd acres of grass, and there is a big chunk of floodplain nearby – now breached by the A34 – both of which would have to be the number one choice for a forced landing if you couldn’t get home again.
Let’s hope the OAG can turn something up!
Adrian
Port Meadow was also the area where the (supposedly) first military aircraft crash in the UK happened in 1912. If the plaque on the bridge parapet is correct. Harwell – the place where they played with the idea of a large catapult and crash mat to obviate the need for undercarriages:D
By: adrian_gray - 10th December 2007 at 09:17
You mat be right, Mike – places like Hampstead Norris and Harwell not far away, one of which was definitely a Wimpey OTU. Plus of course Port Meadow was 300-odd acres of grass, and there is a big chunk of floodplain nearby – now breached by the A34 – both of which would have to be the number one choice for a forced landing if you couldn’t get home again.
Let’s hope the OAG can turn something up!
Adrian
By: mike currill - 8th December 2007 at 06:24
At a guess I’d say that was one of quite a few Wellington crashes arouend the region. It is hardly surprising when you consider that the area was training and MU country. Years ago I heard stories of 2 Wellington crashes. One from Windrush airfield (Witney/Minster Lovell) and one from Chipping Warden. Both killed all on board.
By: adrian_gray - 7th December 2007 at 08:50
Thanks Colin! Wish I could give you a bit more to go on, but that’s all I have…
Adrian
By: oag - 6th December 2007 at 18:21
Adrian
no guarantees mate,but we’ve got the next Oxfordshire Aviation Group meeting next Monday and I’ll ask around the membership for you
Colin
By: adrian_gray - 6th December 2007 at 09:09
*bump*
ETA hopefully more interesting title as well.
Adrian
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December 5, 2007 at 9:27 am