FIELDS WE PROTECT

Churchfield Green is the village green for Wye and provides space for outdoor play, recreation and informal sport all year round. A War Memorial has been placed on the green to commemorate the staff and airmen who trained and worked at Wye Aerodrome, a temporary World War I training airfield which was located close to the green.

One of the men remembered is Airman Cecil Edmund Tombs of 20th Reserve Squadron, Royal Flying Corps who was killed during a training flight from the aerodrome on 31st August 1916. Aged just 20, Tombs’ plane is understood to have collapsed in mid-air and he is one of 15 men who lost their lives whilst training at the airfield.

A short film explaining the local World War I history of the area can be viewed on YouTube.