​​Hamble Airfields​

​​The heathland just north of the memorial, with its numerous footpaths, is accessible to the public. Other airfields are no longer there, and their locations have been developed for housing.

Before the Second World War, the airfields served as testing grounds for aircraft built by local manufacturers. The No. 3 Elementary & Reserve Flying Training School also operated from the airfields.

​At the outbreak of the Second World War, the usage of these airfields increased, even though they were a visible target for German bombing raids alongside the south coast of England. By late 1940, the training units had left the airfields. The manufacturing and production around the airfields continued, as well as the repair and overhaul of Spitfires and other aircraft. It was here that the No. 15 Ferry Pilots Pool operated from. This was part of the Air Transport Auxiliary, known as the ATA.

​The only civilian to be killed by enemy action that targeted the airfield died on 9 February 1943, following a machine gun attack by a Junker 88 aircraft. This is said to be Cecil Maurice Stevenson, who was an air raid warden. 

​Very quickly, women of the ATA became vital for the testing and delivery of aircraft from Hamble. In September 1941, Rosemary Rees became the deputy at Hamble Airfield which operated an all-woman ferry pool. She flew over 91 different aircraft during the war and was one of only eleven women to have flown four-engine bombers. She was awarded an MBE (Member of the British Empire) for her service. 

​Two other ATA women who operated from Hamble airfields were Diana Walker and Mary Ellis. Diana joined the ATA as one of the first female pilots in early 1941, and by May 1942 she was working from Hamble as a fully qualified pilot. By the end of the war, she flew Spitfires, Hurricanes, Mustangs and even bombers such as Mosquitos and Wellingtons. Diana flew over 80 aircraft and delivered over 260 Spitfires. Mary followed a similar path and is said to have flown over 1,000 aircraft of 76 different types. Both women played a crucial role in the war effort.