talk report - march 2007
28 March: HMS Ringtail: Burscough's contribution to the war effort - Lawrence Critchley
Mr Critchley gave us a very interesting and informative talk about H.M.S. Ringtail better known to those who live locally as the airfield. It was a Royal Naval Air Station which was in operation during World War II between 1943-1946. Its main function was to protect convoys entering and leaving Liverpool. HMS Ringtail was the largest Royal Naval Air Station in the country and was home to 1772 Squadron with 'Firefly', 'Super-marine' and 'Helldiver' aircraft. As a result of all the military activity Burscough was swamped. Six farms lost their land and houses and Lordsgate School was demolished to make room for the airfield. (A new Lordsgate School was built in the 1960s which was paid for by the Navy.) The airfield had four runways which were laid out as though they were the deck of an aircraft carrier to give pilots practice taking off and landing. It was also used as a night fight station for Radar. There are 6 Merlin engines buried under the Aerodrome. The Royal Navy kept the site as a holding station until 1957 when HMS Ringtail moved to Woodvale. A memorial to commemorate those who served at Burscough has been unveiled at the entrance to the industrial complex which the site has become and near to the Beaufort Hotel.
Mr Critchley also gave us a brief illustrated history of the Royal Naval Air Service from its beginnings during World War I showing the problems aircraft had negotiating the take off and landing and early aircraft carriers and why the funnel is now at the side of the deck of an aircraft carrier. He also covered the introduction of helicopters into the Navy. A most enjoyable talk.