A Brief History

WORTHY DOWN

    The Camp at Worthy Down has had an interesting and varied- history since it came into service use some 43 years ago. At one time the site of the Winchester racecourse, it was requisitioned in September, 1917, by the War Office for use by the Wireless and Observers School of the Royal Flying Corps which at that time, prior to the creation of the Royal Air Force, was under the control of the Director of Air Organisation at the War Office. It is interesting to note that the Officer who did the initial reconnaissance of the site was a Lieut. Colonel J. A. Charnier, who subsequently became Air-Commodore Sir John Charnier, and that he wrote in his report that the country around the Site consisted of large open fields and downs which were quite ideal for forced landings a very necessary provision in those days. The school was re-named "Artillery and Infantry Co-operation School" and then in 1921, as the School of Army Co-operation R.A.F., it moved from Worthy Down to Old Sarum.
    In 1924, Worthy Down became the home of a Bomber Flight of No.58 Sqn. R.A.F. and from then on it was developed as one of the main Bomber Stations of the Royal Air Force. Many of the famous names Qf the Royal Air Force are associated with No.58 and 7 Squadrons R.A.F., which were based on Worthy Down during the late 1920s. 7 Squadron was commanded by Wing-Commander C. F. A. Portal, who was Chief of the Air Staff, 1940-45, and became Marshal of the Royal Air Force Viscount Portal of Hungerford. 58 Squadron was under the command of Wing-Commander A. T. Harris, who was Commander-in-Chief, R.A.F. Bomber Command, 1942-45, and became Marshal of the Royal Air Force Sir Arthur Harris. Two of his Flight Commanders were Squadron-Leader (later Air-Marshal Sir Robert) Saundby and Squadron-Leader (later Air-Chief-Marshal Hon. Sir Ralph) Cochrane. These squadrons were Night Bomber Squadrons, equipped with Vickers Virginias (bomb load of about 1,000 lbs., range 700 miles, speed 70 m.p.h.). No. 7 Squadron earned the distinction of winning the Laurence Minot Bombing Trophy of the R.A.F. in 1927 and 1928 and, though the strength of the Station was comparatively small, it won the R.A.F. "Rugger" Championship in 1926/27. Many of the buildings in the present camp, such as the Officers' Mess, Barrack blocks and some of the Married Quarters, were erected at this time, when it seemed likely to become a permanent station for the Royal Air Force. The Station Church was dedicated by the Bishop of Winchester on 19th January, 1930.
    As time progressed, however, and the design of aircraft became more advanced, the "up-hill" runway of Worthy Down became too hazardous for use by Royal Air Force planes, and on Empire Day, 1939, it was handed over by the R.A.F. to the Royal Navy, who found it suitable 55 a land-base for planes of the Fleet Fighter Squadrons Nos. 800 and 803. The camp was then commissioned as H.M.S. Kestrel and became the training school for Telegraphist Air-Gunners during the early days of World War II. In late 1940, the notorious "Lord HawHaw" made one of his more remarkable announcements, when he claimed that H.M.S. Kestrel had been bombed and sunk. In fact, it was bombed and minor damage was done, but it nevertheless remained "afloat." The planes flown by the Fleet Air Arm in those days were mainly Sharks, Swordfish and Fulmars. One war-time Naval Officer, who was trained there was Sir Laurence Olivier~ who has stated that he got to be quite a good pilot "after a ghastly first day of taxi-mg one Shark into another."
    The airfield ceased to be used, except for light planes, in 1942, and H.M.S. Kestrel then became a School of Aircraft Maintenance and after the end of the war a Rehabilitation and Vocational Training Centre. In July, 1952, H.M.S. Kestrel paid off and Worthy Down was re-commissioned as H.M.S. Ariel, which is a Training Establishment for maintenance ratings employed in the servicing of all radio and electrical equipment for the Fleet Air Arm, and is also the home of the Electrical Equipment and Trials Section of the Fleet Air Arm. This establishment is now in the process of moving to Lee-on-Solent. Very recently, too, the disused airfield was once again brought into use for training the helicopter squadron of 42 Royal Marine Commando, which has now joined the first Commando Carrier, H.M.S. Bulwark.

    From the brief account given above it can be seen that the story of Worthy Down has indeed been a varied one and it is a name which is well known to many members of all the Services. One feature, however, which has been conspicuous throughout these 43 years is its role as a Training Centre. This has been its major role ever since the first days of the Wireless and Observers School and the traditions will be carried on when it becomes the permanent home of the R.A.P.C. Training Centre.

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Last modified: 11-May-2008