https://www.wiltshire-opc.org.uk/Items/Lyneham/Lyneham - WWII Civilian Deaths 1939-1945.pdf 002 BAKER FT - - 09/01/1942 CIVILIAN WAR DEAD 003 BENNETT AJ - - 09/01/1942 CIVILIAN WAR DEAD 004 MORIARTY P - - 09/01/1942 CIVILIAN WAR DEAD
Oxford X6657 Mr J Bennett, Mr D Anderson, Mr P Moriarty: killed; Sergeant T Smith, Mr T McTique, Mr T... | The National Archives F1180 Accident Card attached. Ross
Thank you for the info I have noticed a number of civilian casualties relating to small aerodromes during WW2
Not really on topic but related to Lyneham in WW2. My Great-grandfather was at Catcomb Old Farm back then. He lost land to the airfield expansion. When my Dad was a lad he would often visit them . They'd go into Lyneham by horse & cart . Dad said there was a Spitfire on the grass near to where a roundabout is now , ready for airfield defence.
Lyneham has always been associated with the transport role but this role did not commence until much later in the war. The airfield was initially allocated the home of No 33 MU (No 41 Group) on its completion and this unit continued activities such as assembling Hamilcars from late 1943 and the handling of up to 250 Spitfires in its allocation role. By the end of the war, No 33 MU was still in residence with the role of an Aircraft Storage Unit. From mid August 1941 to February 1942,Lyneham (No 33 MU) as a No 41 Group station also became the home within No 23 Group, Flying Training Group of No 14 SFTS, arriving from Cranfield which stayed until February 1942.It then left for Ossington, (Newark). Lyneham then became a Ferry Command base and went on to be a major RAF transport base within Transport Command from late July 1944 until it closed about 10 years ago. It would appear that the civilian casualties were as a result of an Oxford, Serial No X6657 of No 14 (P) AFU crashing into a builders hut...would be contractor's workmen. The policeman was apparently killed as a result of injuries sustained in rescuing the aircrew. (Posting took some time in between other activities and would be concurrent with this mornings postings)
Owen that is on topic and very interesting do you have any old photos to post re the farm or the local area
There are some 1940s ones up Mum's. We did a "Then & Now" once of Dad stood in the same place at the farm.
Used to do things with the visual Simulator at Lyneham. Mostly touch ups where the "CFLIT - controlled flight into terrain" in US speak - "Crash" in UK speak resulted in the camera gouging into the model! Creating model for flight simulator, RAF Lyneham, Wiltshire (Photos Prints,...) #14343150 Most famous event for No.33 MU was Taffy Holden's flight in the Lightning. Holden's Lightning flight - Wikipedia At a family day the RM Band who were supposed to march off the apron before the three Herc taxied in - remained and played the Thunderbirds March with gusto to great appreciation https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ELMKVgWWwAAzyh7.jpg Ross
Simulator or Aerodrome? For the aerodrome - a small runway change to cater for change in normal wind directions - expansion of domestic site and arrivals for for international use before move of Transport to Brize. But as the photo shows - still very much a 3 runway, technical site layout exist from WWII build days https://cdn.trackdays.co.uk/images/circuits/mod-lyneham/mod-lyneham-airfield-track.jpg Ross
Owen, that's interesting from the point of airfield development. Tales of requisition of faming land by "the ministry" at little notice or "ministry officials" turning up and declaring that "the ministry" were to requisition farmer's land. Being rural many such areas had not been electrified so the electrical infrastructure was installed for the new airfield so there was an opportunity for those living nearby to receive an electrical supply. Your Great Grandfather's farm probably was not electrified at the time. The national electricity system contributed a great deal to airfield development during the RAF expansion from1935 and including the wartime airfields The Yorkshire Electric Power from its power station at Ferrybridge supplied the rural areas of North Lincolnshire during the war at 33kv.When RAF Hemswell was opened in 1937, a 33kv sub station was established at Harpswell Hill, close to the airfield and still supplied the airfield in the until the late 1950s when network improvements were gradually made and the sub was supplied from a 132kv sub via a 33kv line from Blyton which was a Bomber Command No 1Group HCU airfield during the war. Lyneham opened in 1940,it may have started off as a grass field but its runways shown were concrete paved topped with tarmac. However by the end of the war it was well developed with three runways which qualified to bomber airfield standards. One at 2000 yards x 50 yards extended to 2250 yards .A minor runway initially at 1600 yards x 50 yards but extended to 2400 yards and the third remaining at 2000 yards x 50 yards. This development reflected the type of aircraft operating out of Lyneham as Transport Command worked up resulting from abundant flights of VIP personnel. Incidentally under the Crichel Down legislation, such land requisitioned by "the ministry" ie (the government) for has to be first offered back at current market prices to the original landowners. An official notice is usually posted at the disposal asset. I note that for the closure of RAF Kirton Lindsey that the list of previous owners were posted at the gate. However what I have seen, ownership (which includes ownership successors) has not been taken up. Perhaps repossession was not taken up on account of current market land values.
Been up Mum's & took these of Catcombe Old Farm in 30s & 40s. These Great-grandparents (my Dad's Mum's parents)are the ones whose son David was killed in WW1 with the Grenadier Guards. They are buried in Hilmarton churchyard.
Where the farm is in relation to a runway. Side by side georeferenced maps viewer - Map images - National Library of Scotland
Owen .Located Catcombe on a 1961 map and can see roughly where the farm was. It was almost in line with the North /South runway. The farm would be located immediately south of the southern threshold of this runway. The compass bearing of the runway was 006 degrees/186 degrees. The farm would lie at the186 degree end. For control tower indication boards, these bearings, would in this case, be rounded off to 01/19.The appropriate number would displayed on the control tower board to indicate to pilots the runway in use. An exact north bearing would never be identified as 00 for runway recognition. Aircraft landing and preparing to taking off at the southern threshold would see "19 " in large letters on the control tower runway indication board. In addition it was the practice to have a visual red beacon, operating day and night, flashing in code, the airfield's identity.
My other Lyneham story concerns my brother, 9 years older than me. We had to share a bedroom. He joined the RAF in the 70s , did his basic & trade training. I thought great, he'll be sent to Belize , Hong Kong or at least Germany. I won't see him for ages. No - it was bloody Lyneham. My wife's brother was also posted there in the 2000s.
Knew of Lyneham and its transport role when I was on a bombing radar course at Yatesbury many years ago but Lyneham came up in discussion when it was about to close. (As bombing radar mechanics u/t, we knew that the postings after passing out would be within the Bomber Command structure which would not be abroad save for any short term detachments overseas. I can imagine your brother could have lived off camp at home) We were at my aunt's funeral, she was a month or so from being 100 years old and there was a good attendance from her family. My cousin's husband introduced me to what transpired to be their granddaughter's husband, adding come and meet my "Flying Officer". His "Flying Officer" was flying Hercules out of Lyneham. We had a good natter about the RAF and I said to him, I hope you have made arrangements for the closure. Yes, he said, I have, I am leaving the service and have lined up a job with BA. He and his wife then moved from Chippenham to the North East to start the new job. I do not know if he is still employed by BA as pilots tend to move around in aviation employment. Many a RAF pilot took up civil aviation flying from their service experience.
