Hazelwood Aerodrome

In the autumn of 1915, an area of land just north of the Aldeburgh Golf course was commissioned as a landing ground to be used by the Royal Naval Air Service. After the end of World War I, the Royal Naval Air Service merged with the Royal Flying Corps to become the RAF. As part of this reform, it was decided to base an Anti-Submarine Patrol Observers’ School at the landing ground renaming it Hazelwood Aerodrome.

At the time, training in anti-submarine warfare was seen as vital and Hazelwood Aerodrome was the first facility to be established for this purpose. The airfield was extended and a railway was built from the Aldeburgh Brickworks jetty to the aerodrome.

Three types of aircraft the BE2, the DH9 and the DH6 were based at Hazlewood Aerodrome. The DH6, was designed by Geoffrey de Havilland with the remit that the planes should be cheap to build and repair. Capable of floating for several hours, if ditched, the aircraft were ideal for submarine patrols over the sea. Nicknamed the ‘crab’ or the ‘clockwork mouse’, the DH6 could be flown at very low speeds and was known for being the most forgiving of aircraft.

On 24th May 1919, two aircraft took off, piloted by 2nd Lieutenant Cyril Wright and Sergeant Adcock, to carry out checks ahead of the planes being flown to Hendon Aerodrome where they were to be stored. The pilots, each with a crew member, Lieutenant Edward Jacobi and Lieutenant William Wyatt, flew towards Aldringham. As the planes circled each other, the wing of one clipped the wing of the other and both plummeted to the ground. Edward was killed instantly. The other three were taken to hospital in Ipswich. Cyril and William later died of their injuries.

At the subsequent inquest, questions were asked as to whether the pilots had been ‘stunting at low levels’, contrary to the rules. The commanding office of the aerodrome stated that the two pilots had signed an order, before the flight, agreeing not to ‘stunt’ at low altitude. Witnesses attested that the pilots had been flying too low but such actions were common practice across the country. It was found that no responsibility attached to either of the pilots for the accident.

​At the time of the accident, William’s wife and daughters were living in Thorpeness. All three were buried with full military honours at the church in Aldeburgh.  

​Hazelwood Aerodrome finally closed in September 1919. Several of the wooden buildings were dismantled and rebuilt in the Uplands, Thorpeness.