1920's military Christmas card...

I have a Christmas card that was sent by my grandfather in the early 1920's.
Inside is a photograph of what looks like hundreds on mounted soldiers of
the Royal Horse Artillery. My grandfather has written underneath '1st
Brigade RHA marching past King George on Lappins Plain,'... at least it
looks like 'Lappins Plain.'

Eve McLaughlin...

Isn't it Laffan's Plain, part of the Aldershot military complex?

I've tried searching the web 'Lappins Plain' without success... anyone know where
this event might have taken place (there is no date on the card).

Fenny...

According to the Royal Engineer's regimental song (that I had to listen to
on many a wet Sunday afternoon when I was very young), it's Laffan's Plain
(where the RE are marching on to), which is, apparently, near Farnborough.

Fenny...

Further inquiry says it's a training area at Aldershot, named after
Captain Laffan, RE.

Don Aitken...

I suspect it may have been swallowed up by RAE Farnborough. The road
along the southern perimeter is Laffan's Road; there is a Laffan's
Copse inside the boundary, but no Plain.

Fenny...

Wouldn't surprise me. The song originated during the Boer War.

Regards... David Allan.

Jeff...

The first powered flight in Britain took place there 5 Oct
1908- Samuel F. Cody

CWatters...

The tree he tied his plane to in order to measure the engine thrust was
replaced by a plastic one I believe.

There was a massive parade there for Victoria's Jubilee in
(I think) 1897.

Several messes around Aldershot have a painting/engraving
showing that.