History Features

Have you lived, worked or had connections with RAF Innsworth ? Share your memories here

Alan. W. Penn.
I served my National Service in the RAF Regiment (Dec 1958 to Dec 1960). After my RAF Regiment trade training in Catterick I was posted to RAF Innsworth in 1959 with 15 Field Squadron until the Squadron went on tour to Singapore. At this point I was posted to RAF Felixstowe and joined 16 Field Squadron. 15 Field Squadron and Innsworth will always hold fond memories for me.

Terry Williams
I was posted to Innsworth on Aug 53 and trained as a Machine Recording Operater and used to travel to RAF Barnwood on a truck for work each night (wot a laugh).Was later moved to Barnwood and billeted at the top of a rise as far as I can remember,had a wonderful time there until being posted to RAF Khomaksar,Aden June 58.

David S A Bawden
Posted to RAF Barnwood signals section in early 55. The section in those days was run by Chief Sigs Officer by the name of Johnny Taft. Great character had a neat way of welcoming new staff to the section by asking them to hold two wires, then disappearing down the hall, to where he had a hand generator in his office. I remember we had the best huts on the station, right on the edge of a housing estate. No gate, no guard-room and no "Snowdrops"Good times. Dave B

Denis Tarling
I worked at BARNWOOD at 5c8 Coding 1952-54 Anyone with any memories?

Lavina Holmes
Beverley, I would love to hear from you, please contact me [Beverley - if you email gloucestershire@bbc.co.uk we can pass on Lavina's email address - David, BBC Gloucestershire]

Chosen Man
I took part as a member of the Honour to re-name the Barracks...Crabs, you left a plane on the front gate can you move it please, we (PONGO's) want to put a tank there instead.

Beverley Hiller - Newbury
Your site is great.. I was most interested in the article about RAF Innsworth... Lavina Holmes wrote a piece about her dad, Victor Holmes... he was my uncle, and my dad Roger Holmes still misses him to this day... we all lost touch as time went on, it was nice to see that lucille lavina and aunt toni are still well... thanks again, Beverley

Martin Neal
I was billeted at Barnwood & worked in Records Office from1956 -58. Had a wonderful time & shared a hut with a bunch of excellent lads.

Lynden Flint
National Service with the RAF 1948 - 50. Spent some months at Innsworth, travelling each day to Barnwood. Left the RAF as a corporal to become a university student and then a teacher. Enjoyed my time at Innsworth and Barnwood but the winters were cold. I was from time to time in trouble with irksome petty discipline and served jankers which involved reporting every hour on the hour to the guardroom in full webbing kit. Working at Barnwood we had to report at the guardroom there and one hour later at the Innsworth guardroom. One spell on jankers was for not wearing my best blue belt - I was doing an important job on a secret project in connection with Bletchley Park and needed every minute to complete before racing for the lorry transport back to Innsworth. Some jobsworth SP spotted me and I got a week's jankers for seeing that the job was done on time. RAF discipline for you - but I did work hard for the RAF. I made a lifelong friend and remained in touch for 60 years. Was his best man when he married. So many mates.....The tea and water which I tried to drink out of the tap at Innsworth was foul. Used to have a supper at the NAAFI for 9 pence which gave a glass of cider and a plate of beans and a pie. The corporal's club was a cosy part of the NAAFI. In offduty hours I used to walk into the countryside and developed a love of the Cotswolds ever since, returning very many times to renew happy memories. After a 48 hour pass I used to return from Leeds to Gloucester station on the night train arriving in Gloucester about 4.00 am. The RAF put on a lorry to take us back to Innsworth. Then into bed for 5 am and up again for 6.45 to start work. The billets were simple long wooden huts which stood for very many years. I had the corporal's bunk at the end and it was a snug little room with a stove and I kept it clean and looked after it. I was furious when some tin pot officer on inspection day ran his finger along the top of the door and said it was a dirty room. I was then moved into the corporal's billet which was like being back in square bashing. But I had my revenge. The corporal who was put into my bunk of hut 148 could not handle the 30 men and I was within a week asked to resume my place in hut 148 and keep the men under control, dust or not along the top of my bunk door ! I looked aftrer my men well and if back at the end of ythe day first I always got the stoves lit on the bitter winter days. I can still remember their names. We got on well together - a tough crowd they were but I like to think they followed my orders (well, most of the time....). I never once put a man on a charge. I was usually hard up and did airmen's guards for them (before I was made up to corporal of course) for ten shillings per night. I once did guards for four consecutive nights with very little sleep. One Easter period when most were on Easter pass I covered the duty for five days in a near deserted camp. I enjoyed that. Towards the end of my service time I was sent to Oxford University, Lady Margaret Hall for two weeks during the 1950 summer to undergo a course on 'Recent developments In Modern Science'. Thank you RAF. I was oplaced on a PWR (warning for overseas service) but when preparing to go to South Africa I was told I did not have enough service time left to do so never got to South Africa, one of my big regrets. I did extend my service by three months so that I would still be earning prior to my university entrance. Even now, some 60 years later, I have many fond memories of my time such as raiding the coke store on bitterly cold winter nights, visiting the rep. company in Cheltenham which gave a new production each week. I also kept my education up to scratch by doing evening classes at the Gloucester technical college paid for by the RAF. Yes, the RAF did alright for me and even now in my 70s my eyes dim a little with a tear or two whenever I hear the RAF march past. I have been a member of the british legion for many years and still can quote my number in a flash : 2408264

Mervyn Sandercock
Stationed at Innsworth from Feb.1951 to Nov1952.Worked\at Barnwood in Glasshouse, and have some very happy memories of my time there. Met and shared some very good times with some super friends.

Robin Plowright
I was posted from square bashing at Hednesford to Innsworth in 1952. SWO Tom Casey told me I would remember him until my dying day, he was right. He set me the task of amending Queens Regulations, an onerous and boring task. It resulted in me lodging 5 'formal requests' in one week based upon the information then available to me from QR. He the wreaked his revenge by having me to posted to Barnwood. This area was mostly staffed by Civil Servants and virtually a Holiday Camp until I was demobbed in 1955. At Barnwood and across the road from Eastern Avenue was the 'Snake Pit' a lot of women operating as MROP staff. Oh Happy Days! I still wonder if one Nancy Homer from the village of Barnwood is still alive. I am now a fit 74 years old in NZ but my time at Barnwood and Inns worth will forever be in my memory

Trevor C Hicks
As a Warrant Officer I last toured at RAF Innsworth in 1977 and worked in SHQ as the Station Cashier. I also played in th station band under the baton of Warrant Officer George Robinson. Happy Days...........

Steven Latta
I was there - January 1988 - May 1989. Some of the happiest days of my life. Im back in Scotland now and qualifying as a solicitor. I went on detachments to St Athan and Falklands from Innsworth and got posted from there to Gibraltar. But Innsworth was the best. Great times. And the Gloucestershire people were brand new as well.

gordon blanks
cooks training 1950 then posted back 1952 had just got married got promoted to cpl married qtrs no 154 innsworth lane son born a very happy place flt sgt rose waaf was in charge of the mess raf regiment 33 sqdn regards gordon

Bartlett
Does the MOD have the right to sell off Innsworth? Remember please that it was compulsory purchased from my family in order to help the war effort for a pittance. It seems a bit odd that they are thinking of selling it for a fortune.

Allan Dickie
I served most of my National Service in the Signals Section at RAF Barnwood. My first connection with Innsworth was around 1950 when they decided to instal a teleprinter at Innsworth. It was wired into what had been a WAAF rest room still complete with comfortable settees and chairs. I was sent to Innsworth as the operator and it was quite at first. I was stretched out on a sofa reading the paper when the SWO marched in. The furniture was removed about ten minutes later and I was returned to closer supervision at Barnwood.I met my wife Dorothy at Barnwood and because she was billeted at Innsworth, I came to know the station quite well. After a brief stint in civvy street I joined the Royal New Zealand Air Force and served for thirty more years. Like Gavin Riley (above) I clearly recall my time at Barnwood and Innsworth and it is always with regret that I read of bases closing down.

Gavin ("Angus") Riley
I arrived at RAF Innsworth in 1955 as a boy of 18 and left as a man of 23 in 1960. In between I established myself as possibly the RAF's worst accounts clerk while working at the Base Accounts Office at Elmbridge Court. I also captained Innsworth's powerful cross-country and athletics teams from 1957-60. But best of all I met Doreen at a BAO-organised dance in Gloucester. We've been married now for 48 years and live in Auckland, New Zealand, where I'm a 71-year-old freelance journalist – and still running three times a week. My memories of Innsworth are among the happiest of my life: such unforgettable camaraderie.

Don Jones
I went to RAF Innsworth in June 1951 to do my square bashing. What a rude awakening for a young lad straight from a North Wales coal mining village. I was as green as grass but was thrown in with lads from all sorts of backgrounds and, after eight weeks, pased out very much changed. I started off as National Service but went on to serve for 25 years. Ther is no doubt in my mind that the eight weeks I spent at Innsworth set the tone for the rest of my service. It's a pity that today's young men do not have the opportunity of learning pride and comradeship as we did.

Jonathan Browne
My mother, Joan Browne ran the newsagents shop at Innsworth in the early 1950's. I remember as a 4 year old playing on the bomb shelter next to the shop. I also tasted my first Coca Cola at the NAAFI. Before Guy Fawkes Day we used to sit our Guy outside the main gate and received many donations for our fireworks.

Laurence Baker. 2476380
It is with some sadness, that I have just read of the closure of Innsworth RAF station. I was stationed there June/July 1950, via my national service. Mainly 'squarebashing' and travelling on a daily basis to Barnwood Record Office by RAF transport. I remember doing guard duty at Barnwood so clearly! I recall the superb WAAF band that accompanied us through the passing out parade upon the square at Innsworth. I rememember also the fear that I had being in the presence of Corporal Hastings, who ruled us 'sprogs' with a voice and hand of steel! My close friend, billeted with me, was David Jones, who was a superb clarinetist, and set up a jazz band at Innsworth. I was so pleased, to hear and see David Jones a few years later following demob, that he had become the clarinetist with Kenny Ball's Jazzmen. Cheers Innsworth and Barnwood, you will not be forgotten by blokes like myself.

guy williams
Ian - So what is your point exactly?

William Warmer
I would like to thank RAF Innsworth for all the protection they have given Gloucestershire and generally been a deterrent to other counties that may have fancied invading. Many of us believe that worcestershire had their greedy eyes on us for most of the sixties and seventies. My biggest concern now is who will protect us now?

Gordon Swift
I would like to say congratulations and thanks to those who served at RAF Innsworth for all your efforts in defeating the Germans in 1945 and 1966. Well done!

Graham Mann
DM.In answer to your question, the Army are due to move in troops returning from Germany, but... timetable appears to be slipping to 2011/12. Another reason I believe the SPVA should remain in the interim (earlier post)or site will become derelict.

Phillip Rowe
I worked at Insworth on and off for many years starting in January 1984 working as a Labourer for the SWO WO Robb. Then as a Messenger in PMC as it was then. I worked with some very interesting and colourful characters. The closure is indeed very sad and feels as though part of my life has gone.Phillip Rowe

DM
Does anyone know what is going to be done with the place? It seems a shame for such a lovely area of open space with so many facilities to be bulldozed and sold for yet more housing. Perhaps it could be used as a "camp" for Cadets and other Youth organisations?

John
"Milly Taunt" speaks more from bigoted ignorance than reality and hasn't the guts to put his/her real name. Have you Militant?

Ian
My aunt, Maisie Laurie,(b 1920)from East Lothian joined up here in 1942. Her younger brother, Charles Laurie, also joined the RAF

Duke Theedam
Very sad indeed, though no doubt they'll be partying in Peterborough....

Lavina Holmes
W.O. Victor Holmes (My Dad)had two tours at Innsworth, (he died at the tender age of 43 while stationed at AFCENT), it would be his birthday today 06/03/08. My Mum Toni, worked at Barnwood and Innsworth and has been invited to the ceremony today. My sister Lucie (FLT SGT Holmes) is based at Innsworth but currently on detachment in Kanadhar. I work as Operations Manager for a Jet Charter Company at Gloucestershire airport, and have worked at the airport for 23yrs, so I am a true Stavertonian. I will definately be standing outside our office watching the Hawk fly past today.

G. Ashby, Brockworth
Mille Taunt should get her sorry backside down to greenham common with the rest of the sumo wrestlers and yoghart knitters. See you on Poppy Day Millie!

Sydney Friggins
We must make sure the tree huggers don't get in and squat the place. Let's hope somone has the common sense to leave a few booby traps.

Cpl Paul Bennett
I trust that Ms M. Taunt is only trying to provoke those of us who have devoted the best days of our lives - from the bloom of youth through to old & grey - to the service of our Country, People, and Gracious Queen. Would occupying Germans or Russians provide a less oppressive regime? - I hardly think so.

Col. R.Blythe
A sad day for us Brits. The Taliban will party long and hard when they hear about this. Have the powers that be gone completely mad and forgotten that there is a war on?

Millie Taunt
The sooner that this symbol of oppression is demolished the better.The money would be better invested in feeding the starving children of Africa than dropping bombs on the weak and defenceless.

Graham Mann
Innsworth is not closed yet. The RAF may be leaving, but the Service Personnel and Veterans Agency continues to operate from the site, performing such key functions as casualty administration, welfare support, issuing of medals, and other support services for armed forces personnel and there families. Staff in the SPVA are fighting plans to relocate from Innsworth to ensure these services are not disrupted now or in the future.

Ernest Whitehead
I can remember Sergeant Guy Williams from the "swinging sixties". Perhaps he will remember me as the husband of the canteen lady who gave him a fat lip!

Tony Rogan
As a very young airman I was posted to RAF Innsworth by accident; I had just returned from an overseas tour and was destined for a remote region of Lincolnshire but someone, somewhere made a mistake and I arrived at Innsworth in May 1959. Initially I was billeted at RAF Barnwood on Eastern Avenue and worked just across the road in the Records Office comm. centre. After a few months the Barnwood accommodation was closed down and we were transferred to Innsworth itself. No one was happy about the move because Barnwood had a very relaxed and casual atmosphere while Innsworth was more formal. At Innsworth we were accommodated in long wooden huts. I was in hut ‘408’, which was separated only by a short stretch of grass from hut ‘409’ the first of the WRAF lines. Many of the guys in 408 dated many of the girls in 409 and there was a lot of social interchange between the two billets. I was instrumental in setting up and helping to run the IFN (Innsworth Forces Network). But we were on such a tight budget that to minimise costs we spent hours and hours sticking old egg boxes from the Airmen’s Mess onto the walls for soundproofing. The smell of the official RAF fish glue was appalling! I had just fallen for a young WRAF called Margaret from hut 409 when some heartless soul spotted the posting error and transferred me to the wilds of Lincolnshire in August 1960. Despite the enforced separation we wrote to each other on an almost daily basis. We were finally married in Margaret’s hometown of Shifnal in Shropshire in June 1961 and have been together now for over 46 years. We never expected to see Innsworth again but did in fact return there in 1966 when I was attached to GCHQ. We took that opportunity to buy a house in Cheltenham and have lived in the town ever since. About a week ago we made a short nostalgic trip back to the camp to pick up a couple of copies of the RAF Innsworth memorial booklet. Despite the fact that it’s changed over the years it still holds many memories for us and it was still an emotional moment when a young airman lifted the barrier for us to leave the camp.

Sgnt Guy Williams
I am proud to call myself an airman. Proud to have served at Innsworth. Proud of the happy drunken sessions in the Officers Mess and my 'friendship' with the canteen lady. I was there in the swinging sixties of course, the time of my life!

Monica Richardson
My mum Mickey Quince was at Innsworth as a teenager at the beginning of WW2 in the WAAFs. I have letters written to her fiance (my dad) at the time describing her life at that time.

Alan Brant
I was at Innsworth in 1945-6, one of the coldest of winters. WAAF staff were sent home because there was no fuel (coal). I was with some Dubliners who took doors off the Ablution Blocks to burn in the iron stoves - two in each barrack. But most of my memories are very happy ones abd I'm a bit sad to think the camp will close.