failed to reach Ottawa, Canada. A plaque on the wall below the 'RAF' window of Eastbourne College in Blackwater Road commemorates the loss of this 'Old Eastbournian'. Royal Air Force Following the amalgamation of the RNAS and Royal Flying Corps in 1918 to form the Royal Air Force, the Naval Flying School initially became No. 206 Training Depot Station. No. 54 Training Squadron was transferred to the site from Castle Bromwich and the two units combined to form No. 50 Training Depot Station. The combined units were refocused into training day bomber pilots in a fleet that included the Avro 504, Bristol F.2B, Airco DH.6, Airco DH.9 and Sopwith Camel. Trainee numbers at the site decreased in the latter months of the war, and 50 TDS was moved to RAF Manston by autumn 1919. The airfield reverted to its previous owners, however, lack of business ultimately led to its closure in 1920 reverting to agriculture. References Further reading Lou McMahon and Michael Partridge (2000) A History of the Eastbourne Aviation Company 1911–1924, Eastbourne Local History Society, Eastbourne, Aviation history of the United Kingdom History of East Sussex Companies based in East Sussex