Chocks Away: The Royal Flying Corps in the First World War
Richard Marks
- Regions:
- South East, London, Essex, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Bristol, Wiltshire, Dorset
- Notice Period:
- Emergency (maybe less than one week's notice)
- Type:
- Professional
- Fee:
- Paid: £75 plus travel @45p per mile up to 50 miles from Reading. Can also be run online
- Category:
- History
- Updated:
- 11th March 2024
- Tagged:
- Royal Flying Corps | Great War | Aircraft | World War 1
During the First World War, military aviation emerged as a new form of warfare. The early aeroplanes were simple and frail, but they developed into powerful war machines by the end of the war.
The British Army relied on the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) as its main air force branch. The RFC started from humble beginnings and grew into a large and diverse force that operated in every war zone.
The Royal Navy had its own air force branch, the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS), which also had a global reach, from land bases in France and Italy to the world's first aircraft carriers.
This talk will explore the history and roles of the RFC and RNAS, looking at how and where they operated, what equipment they used and what they achieved.
It will cover the activities and duties of both the flying and ground staff of both corps, as well as their training and living conditions. Find out what it was like to be a pioneer air fighter.
The talk will also discuss how the RNAS and RFC merged to form the Royal Air Force (RAF) and what legacy they left behind.
Views: 1415 | Enquiries: 4About Richard Marks
Dr Richard Marks is a freelance historian based in Berkshire, known for bringing Britain’s industrial past vividly to life. With a PhD in History from the University of Reading (2024), he specialises in industrial, military, and railway history, as well as the history of science — weaving together technical insight and human stories with compelling clarity.
His current research explores the forces of industrial and social change in the Victorian era, charting the evolution of Britain’s railways, canals, and manufacturing landscapes. Whether delving into the machinery of empire or the lives shaped by it, Richard offers audiences fresh perspectives on how Britain was built — and what it left behind.
A seasoned educator and engaging speaker, Richard lectures part-time at the University of Oxford and has taught a wide range of historical subjects to diverse audiences. His talks combine scholarly rigour with accessible storytelling, making him a sought-after contributor to heritage events, academic panels, and public programmes.
Richard's talks are suitable for different audiences and group sizes. He can adjust the length and format to meet your needs. His goal is to inform and entertain, and to leave the audience with a new insight and a desire to learn more.
Whilst Richard usually runs face to face talks in London and the South East, he is happy to discuss talks anywhere in the United Kingdom, and is more than comfortable with presenting over Zoom. Please feel free to contact Richard to discuss costs and options for any of his talks.
Richard regularly updates his list of talks as he completes research into a variety of topics, so do check back on his page to see what's new.
Feedback from previous talks: "Richard had clearly done a massive amount of research and preparation. He is an excellent presenter very knowledgeable and engaging speaker. It was informative and thought provoking."
"I found the whole subject fascinating and wanted to learn more."
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- Iron Dragons: British Tanks in the First World War
- A Barber and a Surgeon: Medicine in Victorian Times
- Stephensons Horses: The Victorian Railways
- Trouble at Mill: Life in the Victorian Factories
- An Eclectic Extravaganza: Victorians at Leisure
- So You Think We Do Not Make Anything Anymore ? British Manufacturing in the 21st Century
- The Great Western Railway in Victorian Berkshire
- Munitions Workers in World War One
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- Britains Railways During World War Two
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- They also Served: Women in Britain's Armed Forces during World War Two
- A Germination of an Idea: The Suttons Seeds Company
- A lot of Bs: Industry in Victorian Reading; more than just Biscuits
- What did Aunt May do in the War? Munitions Workers in World War One for Family Historians
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- Football and World War One
- Britain's Railway History for Family Historians
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- Biscuits for Queen Victoria: The Story of the Early Days of Huntley and Palmer
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- The Royal Navy in World War 2
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- The Home Front in World War I
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- A British Industrial Giant that Never Was: The Story of British Rail Engineering Limited
- Living in The Slums: The Experience of the Victorian Working Class
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- Railway 200: The British Railway Revolution
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- Steel Fortresses: British Tanks in World War Two
- What the Victorian railway did for you...
- Victory in Europe. Victory in Japan. But what really won World War Two for the Allies ?
- Trams and Biscuits: The History of Reading's Tramways
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