Cornwall in the First World War

During this month, each weekday I'm posting a photograph showing Cornwall's First World War.

Here's an image of Royal Naval Air Station Newlyn, taken in 1917. The photographer is standing with his back to Newlyn's south pier and the narrow apron of waterfront land on which the base was built is still there today, though its profile has changed over time.

In the foreground are rails bearing a trolley, on which the station's floatplanes were moved to the water's edge and launched onto Mount's Bay. Two canvas Bessoneaux hangars accommodate mostly Short 184 floatplanes, but in the centre of the image is a small Parnall-built Fairey Hamble Baby floatplane, a rare sight in Cornwall.

Just behind the station is a cottage used as the officers' daytime lodgings. Taken over from local rope-maker Tommy Tonkins, it's had a new window let into the east-facing side to give a view of the base and across the water.

My book, 'Cornwall In The First World War', is published by Truran. With 112 pages and 100 images, you'll find it in bookshops across the Duchy. It's also available through Amazon: http://amzn.to/19JbtZm