Longhorsley WW1 Airfield

Land immediately adjacent to Longhorsley moor was acquired for a night landing ground designated for use by 36 (Home Defence) Squadron. It replaced landing ground at Beacon Hill to the west. It occupied an area of land measuring approximately 800 x 400 yards. The airfield was available for use from January 1917 and by January 1918 it had also become a Day Landing Ground. It closed in June 1919 when the squadron was disbanded. There are no features remaining other than a line of boundary fence against the Moor which is about 800 yards long. The 36 (Home Defence) Squadron was formed from an existing Home Defence Flight based at Cramlington as a night flying unit. Initially, its primary role was to patrol the skies of the Newcastle area and defend against attacks from German airships.