I'll admit up front that the Great War is not one of my strongest fields of interest, although as my username suggests the aviation side of things is. For several years I was involved with testing Aerial Delivery systems for the British Government and through that I became interested in the history of the subject - one which I feel is poorly covered. Whilst most histories start with the Second World war I know that the origins of aerial resupply lie with the First war. Supplies were free dropped (no parachutes) to troops in Kut in 1916, whilst parachute re-supply took place during te Battle of Hamel in 1918. - I notice that there is already a thread about this and I will be joining it shortly. When I'm not thinking about parachutes I am gainfully employed as a pilot of Unmanned Air Vehicles - another divie that traces its origins back to the Great War. In what part time I have left I am a volunteer at tyhe Museum of Army Flying, Middle Wallop, purly because its the closest aircarft museum to my home in Hampshire. This museum has some WW1 exhibits including a Sopwith Pup, part of an shell caught in mid flight! and a display covering the escape expolits of a number of British POW. With the permission of the curator I hope to bring some of these things to the forum. Personally I know very little about either of my Grandfathers part in the war other than my Paternal Grandfather saw Service overseas (in which Regiment I do not know) whilst my Maternal Grandfather worked as a Pattern maker for AVRO. Aeronut
Hi Aeronut and welcome - good to have you here ! We'd love hear all your stories and experiences .... and also help you find your Granddads !! Browse around and see what you can see Enjoy ! Annie
