Wings Over Westgate

RNAS Westgate played a leading role in the defence of the Thames Estuary when the British Expeditionary Force (that ‘Contemptible Little Army’) crossed to France win August 1914, taking the Royal Flying Corps with them. From Westgate flew the anti-submarine and Zeppelin sorties that formed such an essential support to the famous Dover Patrol.

What originated as a seaplane station at St Mildred’s Bay was to give birth to Manston aerodrome from which, under Westgate’s command, flew those Sopwith Camels which halted the Gotha bomber offensive of 1917 – the first Battle of Britain.

The author, the late Geoffrey Williams, himself served in the Fleet Air Arm and lived close to the site of the old seaplane station. This is his well-researched tribute to his predecessors in special Centennial Edition commissioned by the Margate Civic Society.

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