Location
Situated on a key location in the White Cliffs of the English Channel, RNAS Folkestone was located between Folkestone and Dover. Being situated on the top of the cliffs afforded a spectacular, wide view across the English Channel to France.
The station was commissioned on 8th May 1915. The station had been erected very quickly, in March 1915. Originally, only one SS Shed was constructed when the site was commissioned.
Operational Life
Many SS ships were in operation from Folkestone. The main role of the ships was to protect troopships in the English Channel, from Dover to Calais.
On 3rd July 1917, S.S.29 was given the honour of escorting the ship carrying King George V on one of his visits to the Front. On his return, even days later, three airships S.S24, S.S.29 and Coastal C.24a provided the guard on the return journey from Calais to Dover.
A Fourth shed was planned in 1916, but was never constructed.
After the war ceased in November 1918, the Folkestone airship station was rapidly demobilised in February 1919, and all but one airship operating from the station were deflated. The sheds were auctioned off, and in the Spring of 1922, they were later demolished.
Final Life
The last remaining airship shed remained until 1947. Today, the site can still be seen as part of a caravan park and arable farmland.