This cache commemorates the brave individuals
associated with North Weald Airfield and its satellite station at
Stapleford Tawney.
The co-ordinates are for St Andrews Church, North Weald Bassett
(Parking just along the road). At the rear of the churchyard is a
small neatly kept military cemetery containing pilots, ground crew
and army personnel who perished during WW2.
The oldest grave contains Montague Hulton-Harrop, a Hawker
Hurricane Pilot who was the first airman to be shot down in WW2.
Sadly he was shot down by friendly fire from an RAF Spitfire.
Ironically this was the first aircraft downed by a Spitfire.
There are also graves from 1940 during the Battle of Britain and a
number of people killed on 24/8/1940 during the height of battle
when the airfield was hit by 200 bombs. There are also a number of
graves of service personnel killed in 1945 when a V2 rocket scored
a direct hit on Stapleford Tawney airfield.
Many different nationalities are represented from countries such as
Poland, Australia and Canada who’s countrymen served at the
airfield. The airfield is also closely associated with Norway,
who’s airman served here during WW2.
Many types of aircraft were based here including Bristol Blenheims,
Hawker Hurricanes and Supermarine Spitfires. After the war during
the jet age, De Havilland Vampires, Gloster Meteors and Hawker
Hunters were based here and for 3 years it hosted the RAF’s
aerobatic team, the Black Arrows the forerunners to today’s
Red Arrows.
The last squadron left in 1958 and it finally closed in 1964. It is
still an operational airfield and has held many successful air
shows since. A number of vintage aircraft are based there and can
sometimes be seen flying. It has long been threatened with
redevelopment but still seems to be surviving. There is also a
Museum based next to the main gate.
To find the location of the cache you need to find the final
resting places of the following military personnel. All the clues
come from their final young ages. Please treat this area with the
dignity and respect it deserves.
The final co-ordinate is:
North 51 43.A(B-7)C East 000 09.D(E+1)(F+3)
The letters should be replaced with the relevant numbers:
A Stockwell Aged 2 (A)
PEM Robinson Aged 2 (B)
NR Miles Aged 1 (C)
John Samuel Bryson Aged 2 (D)
JDH Pearson Aged 2 (E)
RENE Wynn Aged 2(F)
The Cache is a plastic lock lid container. Please replace the wood
obscuring the cache. THIS IS A NEW LOCATION