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RAF Little Rssington was built in the 1930`s, situated 700 feet above sea level on the Cotswold plateau, it was one of the highest mainland RAF stations. Construction was overseen by the Council for the Protection of Rural England which ensured that the station's buildings were in keeping with the beautiful local villages such as Bourton on the Water and Great Rissington. Many buildings were constructed from Cotswold Stone and drystone walls were used in place of standard miltary fencing. The runways were grass strips, which caused problems in wet weather due to "swampy ground". During 1942 the grass strip runways were upgraded to the bomber command pattern of three interescting concrete runways.
In August 1938, 6 Service Flying Training School (SFTS) arrived as the firts flying unit with their Audaxes, Furies, Harts and Ansons. In October that year No.8 Maintenance Unit (MU) was formed at the station, using the dispersed hangars for the storage and repair of of numberous aircraft. A service much in demand through out the war yers.
At the outbreak of war the station was briefly home to the Wellington aircraft of 215 Sqn. In October 1941 No.23 BAT Flight (Blind Approach Training) was formed, to train pilots in the use of 'blind flying aids'. No.23 BAT Flight was renumbered as No.1523 BAT Flight early in 1942; the unit remained at Little Rissington until November 1945.
No.6 SFTS was redesignated No.6 (P)AFU (Pilot-Advanced Flying Unit) on 22nd April 1942. This unit provided final training for pilots who had completed basic training in the commonwealth training schools. After polishing their skills pilots would move on to an operational training station.
During the war 5,444 pilots were trained by No.6 FTS/(P) AFU at Little Rissington. Of these, 705 were awarded various gallantry awards; four received the Victoria Cross.
Frederick Hucks - LAC 752146 RAFVR I am trying to find out more about my gt uncle died 14.4.1941 buried Little Rissington, St Peters. Any info available as to which unit he served in or how he died would be gratefully received. He also served in WW1 and his son (an RASC driver wa also killed WW2.)
My uncle was killed on a Lancaster raid in 1944. Next year a memorial to the crew will be incorporated in a statue at a village in France. One of the crew was a F/O J.T.Taylor 630 Sqd. His brother and the person I need to try and contact was Robert R. Taylor who served at Little Rissington in 1945. Unfortunatly I have no other information about him. Any information on Robert Taylor (if he is remembered) would be appreciated and treated in confidentiality.
Photographs
C-Type hanger at Little Rissington
Officers Mess, Little Rissington
If you have any Photographs you would like to share please get in touch.
List of those who served here.
- LAC Frederick Hucks. Read his Story
- Robert R. Taylor. Read his Story
If you have any names to add to this list, or any recollections or photos of those listed, please get in touch.
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