Railway Air Services - London

The airport at Croydon was originally officially known as Beddington and unofficially as Wallington. It was established in 1915 as part of the air defence of London and the first planes were based there in 1916. In September 1917 work began on the National Aircraft factory No 1 at Waddon and a test aerodrome was prepared between the factory and New barn farm besides Plough Lane. On 29 March 1920, the combined area became Croydon Aerodrome, the London terminal aerodrome. In 1927 the site was rebuilt with two landing areas combined. It was renamed the Airport of London, Croydon and became operational on 30 January 1928. In its enlarged form the airport occupied 330 acres of which 34 acres were buildings. Whilst used for domestic flights Croydon airport was best known as the base for Imperial Airways and its pioneering flights to the rest of the World. Unfortunately, Croydon airport was in a built-up area and was unable to expand as required after WW2, so its importance declined as Heathrow and Gatwick took over the mantle. It was closed in 1959. RAS flew out of Croydon from the 20th August 1934. RAS flew out of Croydon airport about 11 miles South of London. On the 20th August there was little happening in the way of RAS mail. The flight from Manchester was abandoned so no mail came into London that day. The flight from London went as far as Birmingham and was cancelled so only London to Birmingham was carried. Possibly the flight from Plymouth to Liverpool carried mail onward from London to Liverpool but this is not confirmed. All flights went ahead on the 21st, but most of the London mail that went to Birmingham would have been carried by train. Flown 20th - Birmingham, Liverpool. Flown 21st - Glasgow, Belfast, Manchester and Isle of Man. (21st postmarks) Part flown - Glasgow, Belfast, Manchester and Isle of Man. Surface 20th - Cardiff, Teignmouth, Plymouth, Bristol, Southampton, Cowes