Thread by @WW2Airfields

You might have seen this photo before.

It's an aircraft crash landing onto the roof of East Boldre post office in the New Forest, England, circa 1915.

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East Boldre was an airfield used for training pilots in WW1. This is what it looked like.

It's been scrubbed (almost) from the landscape.

But more on that in a moment...

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During these early days of aviation, crashing was incredibly common... inevitable I suppose.

Here's another from East Boldre.

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And another.

I estimate that around 50 airmen died in crashes at East Boldre in this period alone.

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One building from the WW1 airfield remains... the rest were removed in 1920.

It's now used as the village hall.

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I have a bit of an affinity with East Boldre, as I live just up the road.

It's a really important building... I think so anyway.

Here's an information board on the outside wall.

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Myself and others are involved in fundraising to help renovate aspects of this historical building.

One way we're raising funds is the sale of this book which was created by some friends of mine.

It is A4 size and has 250 pages, and over 500 photos.

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Inside are photos of the early days of flight from East Boldre, including many of the mishaps.

If you want a copy, they are £15 + £5 P+P.

All proceeds help us renovate the only existing airfield building at East Boldre

Email Gina at [e-mail].

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