A signed group photograph of personnel on Orford Ness, c1918. Image courtesy of NTPL.
Orford Ness on the Suffolk coast played a vital role during the First World War and visitors today can still see some of the physical marks left on the landscape.
The remote and isolated part of the coast became a secret military testing site and during 1913 and 1916 part of the site was drained and levelled to form two airfields.
It became home to part of the Central Flying School’s Experimental Flying Section from Upavon in Wiltshire, whose job it was to develop techniques and equipment for the effective tactical use of aircraft as weapons of war.
Paddy Heazell, a National Trust volunteer, currently writing a book about Orford Keys, said: “ Amongst the pioneering work of the First World War were early experiments on the parachute, aerial photography and bomb and machine gun sights, as well as the testing of new aircraft and the development of camouflage.”
Testing the Capt Mears parachute system on Orford Ness. Image courtesy of NTPL.
“One of the most notable visitors to the Ness during this period was the current Air Minister of the time, Winston Churchill. This was not to be the last time he was to show interest in the work at the Ness,” he added.
Some of the buildings constructed during the war are still visible today including the original Motor Transport Shed currently still in use by Trust wardens as a vehicle workshop and is the only building on site that has had consistent use since WWI.
The station also became an important source of employment for the local population and by 1918 over 600 personnel lived and worked on the Ness.
To get in touch with stories or to share old photographs and artefacts depicting life on Orford Ness during WWI – contact Visitor Services Warden Duncan Kent on 01394 450900.
