Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome presents Frontline:England

A one-day focused history seminar, on an original Great War site, in an original great War Building?

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Frontline: England is a rare opportunity and a must-go event for the Great War history enthusiast.
You will join a restricted number of your peers as you explore three areas of this wide ranging and complicated field.

With talks from authors on specific areas - from the impact of the war on the Essex community to the attack of Zeppelins, you can guarantee a fascinating day.

The day includes up-close and personal tours of aircraft, handling sessions and book signings, as well as lunch in the orginal 19 17 Airmen's Mess.

Finishing off the day with a Q&A session with our expects, you will leave informed, educated and excited about a day well spent.

The Speakers

Stephen P. Nunn was born in Maldon. His family has been associated with the town for centuries. He has been passionate about Maldon’s history and archaeology since childhood.

A founder member of the Maldon Archaeological Group in 1977, he writes extensively. His articles have covered the Roman period through to the Second World War. He is a regular columnist in the Essex Chronicle, the Maldon & Burnham Standard and has been published in The Field, The Guardian and The Dalesman.as well as appearing on TV and on radio.

As well as contributing to other people’s books, he has written ten of his own. He is an Honorary Freeman of Maldon, former Maldon Town Mayor and previous both Deputy Leader and Vice-Chairman of Maldon District Council.

The Talk:

Maldon and the Great War

This illustrated talk based will explore that the material presented in the book ‘Maldon, Heybridge and the Great War (1914-1918)’. It will examine the character of the town of Maldon at the outbreak of war in 1914 and looks at the early impact on the inhabitants as a result of a Zeppelin raid. It also outlines the activities of the Royal Flying Corps (later the Royal Air Force) at nearby Goldhanger aerodrome and of the secret Naval Base at Osea. This will include reflections on two families involved in the fighting and an analysis of the 248 Maldon and Heybridge men who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Peter Mcgee retired from government service in 2010.

Since then, he has been engaged in historical research for national and local organisations. He is a research team leader for the National Trust. His projects at include the lives of the Hervey Family and their workers at Ickworth Estate during WW1, archaeological surveys of their estate grounds charting one thousand years of landscape history, and archival research into 19th century diplomatic service and related objects.

Peter led a research and archaeological project concerning a WW1 Home Defence Aerodrome in Suffolk from 2014 – 2022, culminating in the publication of a book – ‘Forgotten Sentinel’. The project involved extensive excavations of the site of the former RFC aerodrome, and archival research in the UK, Canada, USA, Australia and New Zealand.

The Talk:

A scratch Beneath the Surface: Digging for the truth of the First Air War over Britain.

This talk will explore why Stow Maries is unique, a WW1 Aerodrome, largely intact above ground. It will touch on evidence of considerable US logistical support before 1917, Illegal munitions deployment by Home Defence, Empire forces involved in construction of airfields, and operational and training practices deduced from excavations, and what may be found today.

IAN CASTLE began writing military history over thirty years ago, but for the last eighteen years has focused on Germany’s First World War air raids against Britain.

Initially exploring the London raids, his later research has extended to include attacks across the whole country.

In addition to writing books, Ian contributes articles to magazines and journals, and has been involved in a number of television documentaries exploring aspects of this early air campaign. Besides giving regular talks on the subject, Ian has built an extensive website on the raids which has been recognised by the British Records Association. In December 2023 he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society for his contribution to historical scholarship, and his latest book, Gotha Terror, will be available for purchase on the day.

The Talk:

Gotha Terror: The Story of Germany’s WW1 Bomber Offensive against London

After stunning successes against the Zeppelin raiders in autumn 1916, it appeared that Germany’s aerial threat to London was over. But those achievements led to complacency and resulted in a reduction of Britain’s air defence capability. In the summer of 1917, however, a new, more deadly danger appeared when a squadron of bomber aircraft – Gothas – attacked London in broad daylight. The raid caught the city napping, inflicting almost 600 casualties. But, a year later, when Germany launched the largest raid of the war, it encountered the fire and fury of the world’s first in-depth, integrated aerial defence system, one which placed Stow Maries and No.37 Squadron in the front line.

The Tours

As part of your admission, you will enjoy a behind-the-rope tour of the Aircraft collection, showcasing the rare Albatros, Tabloid, Avro and BE2e aircraft.
During the tour, you will be free to take photographs and ask questions.

Handling Sessions
You will have a chance to get hands-on with a selection of our Objects, drawn from the collections indivudually for this event.

Lunch

Lunch will be a buffet style affair, with refreshments, as part of your admission. It will be served in the1917 Airmen's Mess. Yes - you will eat where the personnel of 37 Sqn, RFC (later RAF) ate!