Airfields

The airfield at London Colney

The airfield at London Colney.

56 Squadron

London Colney airfield, which is now a cornfield, was located between the old Shenley Hospital and current Harperbury Hospital sites, north of Shenley village (illustrated above). In 1917, it was home to 56  Squadron who operated SE5A fighter  aircraft which flown by young Royal  Flying Corps (RFC) pilots in their  early twenties.

One such pilot was the famous Captain Albert Ball VC, DSO and MC who, as one of World War One's Fighter Aces, developed his tactical airmanship skills whilst based there. Other Air Aces based at the airfield, included Mannock and McCudden, all of whom lost their lives during the War.

For more information on  the Landing Grounds of Hertfordshire, please contact Guy Thomas

Royal Flying Corps at London Colney

Picture taken in 1917.

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