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Press Release

20 June 2025

Commemorative Stone unveiled at Solent Airport

The Mayor of Fareham, Councillor Louise Clubley was joined by the Royal Naval Association's President, Vice Admiral Duncan Potts CB RN Rtd, at Solent Airport Daedalus this morning to officially unveil the ‘Daedalus Commemorative Stone’.

Up until now, there has been nothing readily visible to inform visitors and future generations about the important part Daedalus played in local and national history. Consequently, the Lee-On-Solent and Stubbington branch of the Royal Naval Association, working together with the Fleet Air Arm Association and Fareham Borough Council, has installed an engraved commemorative stone, made of solid granite, in the Public Viewing Area.

The Daedalus Commemorative Stone is dedicated to the service and civilian personnel who served, fought and in some cases died at the Royal Naval Air Station between 1939-1996.

A short ceremony preceded the unveiling with Vice Admiral Duncan Potts sharing some of the history of the site. Established in 1917 as a Naval Seaplane Training School, Daedalus has been part of the local communities of Fareham, Lee-on-the-Solent and Gosport for more than a century. On D-Day in 1944, the airfield flew 435 sorties into Normandy, the largest number from any airfield in the UK. The stone was then blessed by RNA Padre, Reverend Liz Quinn.

Cllr Dugan, Chairman of the Economic Development and Regeneration Advisory Panel at Fareham Borough Council, said: “I was delighted to attend this prestigious event, especially with so many service and ex-service personnel in attendance. Solent Airport at Daedalus is a hugely significant site in the region and, while it continues to be an area of ongoing development for the future, it’s important that we are able to reflect on its monumental historical importance. This Commemorative Stone is a fitting addition to the viewing area at the Airport and I encourage local people to come down to see it.”

Royal Naval Association's President, Vice Admiral Duncan Potts CB RN Rtd, added: “Anyone looking around will see how quickly Daedalus is changing and developing, with numerous commercial enterprises, higher education and Coast Guard operations on site. This regeneration is really a community success story. But with the old Daedalus disappearing, it’s timely to commemorate the history of the site. This commemorative stone is dedicated to those that served and worked here from the service and the community, and importantly allows future generations to understand the important part of our history and defence that the Naval Air Station provided for so many years.”

ENDS