School of Ballooning

The School moved to Stanhope Lines, Aldershot in 1890 when a balloon section and depot were formed as permanent units of the Royal Engineers establishment.

These officers demonstrated balloons to the army, but it was only in 1878 that the War Office directed Captain James Templer, an army reservist and experienced balloonist, to set up a small unit of Royal Engineers which became known as the School of Ballooning.

After a tragic incident in 1881 Templer concentrated on development of balloons rather than making ascents himself.

[3][4] In 1890 the School moved to Aldershot where a section of the Royal Engineers had been formed to use balloons operationally.

Several months later Major Sir Alexander Bannerman took over the Balloon School from Colonel Capper.