Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome

YouTube channel for Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome near Maldon in Essex - established in September 1916 as a base for 37 (Home Defence) Squadron, Royal Flying Corps, which also operated from aerodromes at Rochford (today London Southend International Airport) and Goldhanger (long since disappeared).

For two years it played a pivotal role in helping to defend the British mainland from attacks by German Zeppelin airships and Gotha fixed-wing bombers during World War One.

37 Squadron transitioned from the Royal Flying Corps to the Royal Air Force on 1 April 1918 when the independent air service was formed and it remained on station until 1919 when it transferred to RAF Biggin Hill.

Thereafter the aerodrome reverted to agricultural use, leaving behind a unique collection of historic buildings still in their original form, surrounded by abundant wildlife. The farmland was owned by Flambirds Farm, reputedly the inspiration for K.M. Peyton’s ‘