A special plaque has been unveiled which acknowledges Ruddington’s role in providing a key airfield during World War One.
The Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust plaque has been installed on ‘Fowemer Hill‘ in Rushcliffe Country Park, commemorating the area that was used as a take-off and landing strip during The Great War by No38 Squadron from December 1916 to August 1917.
It was also then used after World War One by local aircraft owner and resident Harold Ashworth in the 1930s – who went on to join the Royal Air Force. Records show he joined the RAF as a pilot officer in 1939 and by March 1942 had reached the rank of Squadron Leader – carrying out sorties involving attacks on Hamburg, Pilsen, Cologne, Mannheim and Essen during World War Two. On May 4th 1942, his aircraft was shot down over the south coast of England while returning from a sortie over northern France. Before escaping by parachute he is said to have made a thorough search from end to end and remained at least ten minutes in the fiercely burning aircraft in order to ensure that all his crew had safely baled out and that everything of a secret nature was effectively destroyed.
Sadly, just six weeks’ later, according to 218squadron.wordpress.com: “On June 20/21st 1942 the squadron attacked Emden the raid was marred by the loss of the popular “B” Flight commander Squadron Leader Harold John Ashworth and crew who fell victim to Lt Johannes Werth of 7./NJG2 at 02.00hrs. Attacked soon after leaving the target area the Stirling was set on fire, with the Stirling becoming increasingly unstable and the fire spreading Ashworth gave the order to bail out. Five of the crew managed to leave before the Stirling crashed at Wognun, 4kms NNW of Noorm, Holland.” Harold was posthumously awarded a Distinguished Flying Cross where it was cited he had shown “immense energy, courage and inspiring leadership”.
{We have been unable to confirm whether Ruddington’s Ashworth Avenue was, in fact, named after our village’s famous Squadron Leader – or perhaps Major John Ashworth, one time owner of Ruddington Hall? So, local history buffs, please do get in touch if you know for sure!}
Deputy Leader of Rushcliffe Borough Council Cllr Debbie Mason unveiled the new plaque with park manager Keith Laing and Country park staff. She said: “This plaque represents a poignant part of Rushcliffe’s history, playing a role with other local airfields that helped the War effort over a century ago. Its links to Mr Ashworth are also fascinating and he was obviously a very courageous man for everything he achieved whilst in service.”
Cllr Mason added: “We are proud to now have this plaque in place, commemorating the role this former landing area played in the early 20th century.”
Ruddington Airfield and another at Radcliffe-on-Trent were both used during World War One by the No38 Squadron. For more information about the ‘Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust’ you can visit www.abct.org.uk.
[Background information and main photo courtesy of Rushcliffe Borough Council]
