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RNAS Hornsea Mere – East Riding of Yorkshire

The Hornsea Mere base with the red triangle marking the site of the buildings and slipways.

Hornsea Mere was an inland lake just west of Hornsea town on the east coast of Yorkshire. This site had long been considered by the planners to be very useful for WW1 military purposes for the use of sea planes for coastal patrol. It was situated just west of Hornsea about a mile from the sea and west of the B1242 road.

It was used as a landing site for seaplanes from 1915 but with rather basic facilities. 12 Short 134 seaplanes flew from there split between 404 and 405 Flights. Sopwith Baby seaplanes also flew from Hornsea Mere

Short 134 Seaplane

Sopwith Baby on slip

In April 1918 the RNAS and RFC were merged to form the Royal Air Force and but the station was still known as RNAS Hornsea Mere and was part of 18 Gp. As well as coastal and anti submarine patrols some training was carried out in conjunction with the Redcar base further up the coast.

By 1918 the site had been expanded for use as a sub station for RNAS Killingholme on the Humber. 2 Bessoneaux hangars were erected at the eastern edge of the Mere with 2 slipways along with a brick built generator house and workshop and other ancillary temporary structures. The generator was never installed however. Most of the personnel were billeted in the town

By May 1918 251 Squadron was formed from 504, 505, 506 and 510 Special Duty Flights. In August 1918 248 Squadron was formed from 404, 405 and 453 Flights. These new Squadrons continued to fly coastal and anti submarines patrols till the end of WW2 and were disbanded in March 1919. With the formation of these 2 Squadrons Hornsea Mere was expanded to a full base.

In the aftermath of WW1 it was closed in December 1919 with the government owned buildings advertised for sale.

The main workshop building still survives as HQ of the local sailing club but little else remains.

Compiled by David Fell. Photo from my archive

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