WW1 British Bases in France

[Mammar]

Help! On an audio tape I have of my father talking about his time in WW1 he says he was based at a place called "St. Emir" or somewhere that sounds phonetically like that. Try as I might I can't seem to find it on a map. Please can you help as I'm trying to put his memories onto the BBC Remembrance site and I want to be accurate. Thanks in advance

[stewey]

I have seen Saint Omer mentioned in relation to WWII. Perhaps it was significant in WWI also.

[dundurn]

St Omer was a major base for the RFC, (later RAF). The country around there is very marshy so communications were limited to pre-existing civilian routes. St Omer is an important town in the area and a lot of men and materiel would have passed through it.

[Lil O'lady]

St Omer has had strategic importance for centuries, being on the route from the coast south through Normandy to the Loire valley. This will be where your father was based.

[Mammar]

Thank you all very much! Now I know!
As it is, I was so pushed for time I decided to submit it without that bit of info but still so pleased to find out.
If any of you are interested, check out Albert Henry Jackson on the Wall of Remembrance in about a week (that's how long it takes before it goes on)
Good old Answerbankers! I knew you wouldn't let me down x x x