Historical past of Biggin Hill

Hailed as probably the most well-known fighter station on the earth, Biggin Hill is understood for its proud legacy.

Based mostly in South London within the borough of Bromley, it’s topographically one of many highest factors in London. Due to this fact making it an ideal place to construct the aerodrome there.

Initially, Biggin Hill was used as a radio alerts unit to undertake radio experiments. In 1918, it turned part of London’s ‘House Defence Aerodrome’, but it surely solely turned well-known throughout WW2. It was one of many busiest stations and had been utilized by the RAF to guard London and surrounding areas. Moreover, it was additionally one of many principal fighter bases within the Battle of Britain.

Biggin Hill and The Caterpillar Membership

Given the amount of plane throughout this era, a number of males evacuated their fighter engines within the warfare, leaving many males of the Biggin Hill Division members of the Caterpillar Membership. An unique group that was based by Leslie Irvin, the inventor of the primary freefall parachute in 1919. The affiliation continues to be going robust, with gold and silver pins nonetheless being despatched out to qualifying members to at the present time, with the saying:

‘Life is dependent upon a silken thread’ – Caterpillar Membership motto.

Flying Officer C. W. G. Younger photographed by an area photographer strolling again to the Biggin Hill base after ejecting from his Hawker Hunter F MK 5 – Picture from The Westner Household.

Two pins in our possession are very carefully associated to Biggin Hill. The unique proprietor of the pin and its substitute was Flying Officer C. W. G. Younger, who earned his pin on the airfield on Friday seventh June 1957. Younger was in his Hawker Hunter F MK 5 when the engine combusted in Kent throughout the preliminary climb of the flight. Because of this, Younger carried out an emergency ejection. Fortunately he was unhurt, however his fighter engine was damaged past restore. He mentioned in an area newspaper article (picture under) “I used the ejector seat at 800 toes and shot away from the jet simply earlier than it went up. I landed with fairly a bump however was not injured. I’d not have had an opportunity with out the ejector.”

A local newspaper article talking about the plane crash involving Flying Officer C.W.G. Young

There had been 12 circumstances of such combustion in a majority of these planes. This resulted in an investigation into why combustion chamber failure occurred.

Many extra of those parachute ejections occurred at this website, which is the way it has earned its famend status, leaving many members of the Caterpillar Membership in its wake.

Biggin Hill Immediately

Lastly, Biggin Hill is getting used as a civilian airport, with minimal navy use. A church parish was rebuilt after the warfare on Winston Churchill’s insistence as he felt a extra everlasting memorial was wanted. He mentioned ‘As a nation, we now have quick reminiscences’. Moreover, there’s a museum on website for anybody who needs to go to and study extra about Biggin Hill.

Caterpillar Membership Pin at Public sale

Caterpillar club pin awarded to Flying Officer C.W.G. Young from Biggin Hill

Lot 223

Caterpillar membership pin awarded to Flying Officer C.W.G. Younger from Biggin Hill, together with substitute pin.

Estimate: £1,200 – £1,800

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Chloe Hartley | Junior Cataloguer