Birch

**Chris Warne** · 13-06-2011, 13:18

Originally Posted by JohnHeritage

Some of the more important ones will, hopefully, receive statutory protection.

It's great to know an official body is trying to do something to preserve these sites. I hope you're successful in getting some protection in place.
Recently, the owner of the Administration building at Matching Airfield secured planning approval from Epping Forest District Council to convert it into a 2 bedroom bungalow. I had been assured by Lizzie Haynes (Head of Planning Conservation at EFDC) less than a year before that ALL the buildings at Matching were 'locally listed' and it would be almost impossible for anyone to get planning approval for anything. I even sent her a number of emails with plans & photos to ensure all the buildings I was aware of were 'on the list'. Although the Admin block was in a poor state, it's still a shame that planning was granted - another building lost forever.

**horrocks** · 20-06-2011, 13:48

I would refer you to the Matching thread on this, where I have posted links to the plans. As it stands, the Admin block and the Norden Store have both had consent granted to convert them into dwellings, that the existing buildings are considered to be of 'considerable historical interest', and therefore are not to be demolished. The submitted and approved drawings clearly show the existing buildings, without additions or extensions.

**Gerry275** · 09-06-2012, 21:24

Hi Guys,
Thanks for posting info, my wife and i drove on part of runway last summer, i plan to take the jeep back soon.
While on subject of this runway- my gt aunt told me that when they were looking to find this site the, other option was Weeley Heath (where they lived) has anyone else heard this or where could i find any info???

Thanks Gerry

**sumter** · 10-06-2012, 09:22

Be aware that Weeley Heath was planned, but never built, along with nearby surveyed sites at Little Clacton and Beaumont-cum-Moze.
See Roger Freeman's Mighty Eighth War Manual for more info on the "planned" Essex airfields.

**Gerry275** · 10-06-2012, 11:53

Originally Posted by sumter

Be aware that Weeley Heath was planned, but never built, along with nearby surveyed sites at Little Clacton and Beaumont-cum-Moze.
See Roger Freeman's Mighty Eighth War Manual for more info on the "planned" Essex airfields.

Thanks Sumter, that was what i was hoping to find! My Grans house was and still is on the site, i will have to read up on it then! Thanks again. Gerry

**Gerry275** · 11-06-2012, 18:25

Ordered book last night, dispatched today, so looking forward to a good read. Thaks for tip off.
Gerry

**pauline** · 14-06-2012, 10:44

I too have been reading a book with a reference to Birch aerodrome, and it's somewhat macabre.

On 8th December 1943 a taxi cab with its side lights still on was found at 11.30 a.m. in a lane near Birch Aerodrome. On December 9th the body of the driver Claude Hailstone was found amongst brambles in the grounds of Birch Rectory. Two coloured American servicemen from Birch camp were charged with the murder and were tried separately by an American Courts Martial at Ipswich on 19th January 1944, and both pleaded "Not Guilty" One was convicted and executed by hanging at Shepton Mallet, he confessed before the execution but accused the other of actually killing Hailstone.

This is from CAMPS on Crime by Francis E. Camps, and it states that there were 5000 coloured American troops at Birch at this time. That sounds an awful lot to me, does anyone know if it is true, and if so what were they doing.

**Gerry275** · 17-06-2012, 23:02

Hi Pauline, yes i have read this, in a copy of the Nottingham evening post dated Jan 24th '44- which i downloaded from the Newspaper archive-you have48hrs for i cant remember how much. They went to london after and their evidence changed.
the base was considered ready spring 44 so i guess they were building it-846th US Engineer Aviation Batt. moved in summer of '43.

Regards Gerry

Originally Posted by pauline

I too have been reading a book with a reference to Birch aerodrome, and it's somewhat macabre.

On 8th December 1943 a taxi cab with its side lights still on was found at 11.30 a.m. in a lane near Birch Aerodrome. On December 9th the body of the driver Claude Hailstone was found amongst brambles in the grounds of Birch Rectory. Two coloured American servicemen from Birch camp were charged with the murder and were tried separately by an American Courts Martial at Ipswich on 19th January 1944, and both pleaded "Not Guilty" One was convicted and executed by hanging at Shepton Mallet, he confessed before the execution but accused the other of actually killing Hailstone.

This is from CAMPS on Crime by Francis E. Camps, and it states that there were 5000 coloured American troops at Birch at this time. That sounds an awful lot to me, does anyone know if it is true, and if so what were they doing.

**PNK** · 18-06-2012, 13:01

I think the Birch murder was covered in Airfields of the Ninth (After the Battle Publications). My copy in the upper library at present so not ready to hand to check.