Waddington opened in November 1916 as a training base for RFC aircrew. Flying accidents were a common occurrence as depicted in the many images of wrecked aircraft in Waddington's photo archive (some waiting for a future caption contest). The aircraft of the time - (initially Shorthorns and Grahame White XVs at Waddington) - were poorly maintained, with underpowered and unreliable engines. Later training was carried out in totally unsuitable obsolete operational aircraft such as the RE8 which was a handful to even the most experienced pilots. It was not until early 1918 that the (by now) RAF training system was overhauled with properly trained instructors in proper training aircraft such as the DH6. At one stage in 1917, the losses were so many that a German Spy was suspected of sabotage and the number of guards was tripled, to no effect. Indeed, the loss rate at Waddington was no different to the RNAS training bases at Cranwell and Digby.
Over 30 aircrew were buried in the churchyard at Waddington (with many more sent for burial in their home towns). Unfortunately all but one of these graves were destroyed in a German air raid in May 1941. The surviving grave is the resting place of 2nd Lt CR Marks who was killed in May 1917 when his aircraft disintegrated in flight.
