The British began experimenting with airships in 1902 with the Army’s first powered one. It was named Nulli Secundus (Second to None) and flew from Farnborough to London, writes Jane Hurst.

Although heavier-than-air flight was developing rapidly, airships were still regarded as having enormous military potential for reconnaissance, communication and observation.

Admiral Jervoise of Medstead was hunting in the Alice Holt and Frensham area in January 1911. He then noted in his diary that: “About 11.30 the Army Airship passed over us going in a South West direction & some three hours later we saw it on its way back to Farnham - it is the first Airship I have ever seen & it looked smaller than I expected.”

The Admiral and his wife saw another airship on Monday, July 21, 1913, when they were in Newton Valence. He recorded that a large airship passed close over them. Looking at the local paper dated July 26, I found two reports of airships coming over the Alton area, which must have been describing the same flight.

The first said that: “Great excitement prevailed in the quiet village of East Tisted on Monday evening, when at about six a large airship was seen approaching from the direction of Aldershot. It was sailing very slowly and at a low altitude, so that the occupants were plainly discernable as was also the number ‘4’.

“The airship passed right over the village, heading towards Petersfield, and later in the evening returned, travelling at a much quicker rate. She was probably the Army airship which took a trial trip from Farnborough to the Isle of Wight and back.”

This must have been Airship No. 4, which was built in Germany and bought by Britain in 1912. It was based at Farnborough and made its first flight for the Royal Navy on June 30, 1913. Regular trial flights and crew training were carried out for the rest of the year as Britain continued to develop its military aviation capabilities. The airship base at Farnborough had been renamed the Royal Aircraft Factory in May 1912.

The second report said that: “On Monday evening, shortly before six o’clock, Altonians had the chance of seeing one of the Army Airships. The airship was flying at a low altitude, and passed over the town in the direction of Winchester, going very slowly. The propellers could easily be heard in the High Street, and several heads could be seen in the car, which hung under the huge envelope. The airship returned later at a higher altitude and going much faster towards Aldershot.”

A postcard from the period has “This is the airship that came down at Alton” written on the back. It was sent in 1914 from Aldershot to Mrs R Grace at Amery Cottage. The picture was of Army Airship Delta, which was based at Farnborough with Beta and Gamma and measured 198ft long and 39ft wide.

Searching further through local papers I found a report published on September 20, 1913: “The Army Airship Delta landed at Wyards Farm, under the shelter of Ackender Wood. Three officers of the Royal Flying Corps and two mechanics were aboard. Several hundred people were soon attracted to the spot and the ascent was safely accomplished.” There is a local story that she needed water before continuing her journey.

Delta was seen over Oxford on the afternoon of Friday, September 19. She was on her way from Farnborough to Rugby via a stop at Blenheim. “It soon became apparent she was suffering from engine trouble and was rapidly losing height but a safe landing was made at The Parks in Oxford after a narrow miss with the spire of St Mary the Virgin church!”

She drew crowds before taking off the following day to take part in Army manoeuvres, highlighting the huge public fascination with these pioneering aircraft.