Aviation booklet | Page 9

Buckminster Location: Squadrons / Units: no trace of the airfield remains 28 Squadron 90 Squadron Dates of Operation: 1916 to 1919 – World War I landing ground A small grass landing field was established at Buckminster in September 1916 for use by Home Defence Squadrons. The first squadron to be based there was ‘C’ Flight of 38 Squadron, which had its headquarters across the county boundary in Melton Mowbray. Equipped with FE2b biplanes, 38 Squadron undertook night patrols to attack any Zeppelins operating over the East Midlands. The squadron moved out in May 1918 and was replaced by 90 Squadron, which was operating Sopwith Camels and Avro 504s, again used as night fighters. Squadron headquarters were at Buckminster and ‘A’ Flight operated at Leadenham. After the end of World War I, the unit was disbanded in 1919 and the site returned to agriculture. Buckminster was never reactivated and today there is no trace of Buckminster airfield. 9