The Wartime Memories Project - RAF Woodhall Spa



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World War 2 Two II WW2 WWII

Information.

RAF Woodhall Spa was constructed with a three standard runway pattern and dispersed accommodation sites, it became operational in February 1942 as a heavy bomber airfield of 5 Group, Bomber Command, a satellite to RAF Coningsby

No 97 Squadron transfered from Coningsby on 1 March 1942, becoming operational flying Avro Lancasters. No 97 moved to Bourne, Cambridgeshire, on 17 April 1943 leaving behind three crews as a nucleus for No 619 Squadron, which formed at Woodhall Spa on 18 April 1943. 619 Squadron flew Avro Lancasters from the airfield until moving to RAF Coningsby on 1 January 1944 to be replaced at Woodhall Spa by No 617 Squadron. The "Dambusters" brought 34 Lancasters and two Mosquitoes to the airfield, the latter being used for low level target marking.

No 617 Squadron operated from Woodhall Spa until the end of hostilities, pioneering the use of ultra-heavy bombs; the 12,000lb "Tallboy" and the 22,000lb "Grand Slam", both of which were used on special targets in operations from the airfield.

With the end of the War in Europe the airfield was used as an assembly and kitting-out point for ground personnel for Tiger Force, the planned heavy bomber force for the Far East and between six and seven thousand men began to arrive, housed in over 300 bell tents erected on and around the airfield.

The airfield was closed for flying in December 1945. In the years that followed, the site was used by 92 MSU for the storage of bombs. In the late 50s, Woodhall Spa was selected as a base for Bloodhound SAM missiles and was operational until 1965. With the rest of the airfield sold off for agriculture or mineral extraction, the former missile site has remained under the control of RAF Coningsby and is now used as a servicing facility for Tornado engines from that station and elsewhere.

Today the remaining wartime buildings have been converted into a visitor centre, with displays of wartime life.



Squadrons stationed at

  • No: 97 Squadron. 1st March 1942 to 17 April 1943.
  • No: 619 Squadron 18 April 1943 to 1st Jan 1944.
  • No: 617 Squadron 1st Jan 1944
  • John McKinley Carswell Read his Story

    The unusual story of John McKinley Carswell who spent 1939 to 1945 in the armed forces of two countries:

    Motorcycle Dispatch Rider, Non Permanent Active Militia, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, September 1st, 1939. Signalman, Canadian Army Signals, Barryfield, Ontario, Canada September 1939 - January 1940.

    Officer's Driver, CASF (Canadian Active Service Force), 1st contingent of Canadians in the UK, arrived via Scotland in February, 1940 and barracked at Aldershot Army Base south of London, England.

    Accepted into the RAF with the rank of LAC in January 1941 for training as (1) pilot (2) Air Observer.

    EFTS RAF Hatfield - where his claim to fame is that he met Geoff De Havailland Jr. after narrowly avoiding a collision with him. Geoff De Havailland shot across his flight path while testing the first prototype of the Mosquito, about the fastest and most versatile airplane during WWII.

    SFTS RAF Hullavington - Overshot a runway in a Spitfire or Hurricane due to mechanical failure on landing. Fighter plane experienced some damage.

    Assigned as Staff Pilot No.1 (O) AFU at RAF Wigtown flying Lysanders, about August 1941 when the station first opened. Became Flight Commander and when station had an official change in purpose, he began to fly twin-engine Ansons. Trained as a navigator in the Midlands, he returned to Wigtown as a Navigations Instructor. During several hundreds of hours of flying, mostly from Wigtown, he damaged an Anson trying to land it against a severe headwind that was so strong that the airplane was hung up in the air barely able to reach the airfield. No one on board was injured. Wigtown was notorious for air crashes due to the surrounding terrain and tough wind conditions.

    Transferred to RAF Harrogate in about September 1942 shortly after his marriage to WAAF Section Officer Pat Leonard in Croydon, UK. She was already a veteran of the Battle of Britain having survived some 25 to 50 bombings during a year at RAF Biggin Hill, including a direct hit on the Ops building where she was working at the time. At RAF Wigtown she was the senior WAAF officer having been the first WAAF to arrive at RAF Wigton as the cipher officer. On arrival at Harrogate John Carswell was assigned to the RAF Navigator Selection Board. Next he was stationed for about a month at RAF Woodhall Spa in September 1943 having volunteered for service as a 2nd pilot on Lancaster bombers. He flew on about half a dozen operations (mainly over Germany) including one mine-laying operation (to Poland). He returned to RAF Harrogate in October 1943 and was appointed to the Pilot Selection Board holding the rank of Flight Lieutenant in the RAFVR

    He resigned his commission in the RAF in April 1944 to accept a commission in the RCAFVR. Gazetted in the Canada Gazette as a pilot officer in the RCAFVR, he was immediately promoted to the rank of Flight Lieutenant in the RCAFVR

    Returned to Canada in July 1944 and went on leave. Upon his return his first brief assignment was to Antigonish, Nova Scotia returning to RCAF Trenton, Ontario, for an adminstration course. His final appointment was as Station Adjutant (commanding most of the time) at No. 10 EFTS at Pendleton, Ontario near Ottawa until his 6 years in the service ended and he was released from the forces.

    His wife and two children joined him in Canada in March 1945 when she was finally able to get passage to Halifax as a war bride.



    Charlie: Charles Smith Cook from Dundee, Scotland.



    A photo of Charlie and friends: Does anyone recognise either of these men with Charlie? My father thinks they may have been from Canada.

    Squadrons 617 and 619

    I am looking for any members of these squadrons that remember my Uncle, Charles Smith Cook. He was often called "Chick" or because of his boxing, the "brown bomber". My father told me that that sometime between 1940-1943 there was a photo of Charlies' crew and Lancaster printed in an Edinburgh newspaper. They were standing in front of the plane along with the Lord Provost of Edinburgh.I would love to hear from anyone that has memories of my Uncle or any of the families of his fellow crew members listed below. If anyone could be kind enough to find the photo I have mentioned I would be so grateful. I'd like to be able to show it to my father, Charlies' brother.

    Lost on the Berlin Campaign: DV381 619Sqdn PG-B Op: Berlin Lost 26-27/11/43 Lancaster BI by Metropolitan Vickers Target: North Berlin

    This aircraft was one of 91 from an order for 200 from Metropolitan Vickers built as Lancaster BI with Merlin 22 engines and delivered between May and November 1943

    • Pilot F/Lt RAYMENT Ronald David 50657 Buried in Becklingen War Cemetery. 11. C. 16
    • Engr Sgt LYNCH Martin John 904871 Buried in Becklingen War Cemetery. 11. C. 15
    • Nav F/O KELLETT John 129552 Commemorated on the Royal Air Forces Memorial, Runnymede. Panel 125
    • B/Aim Sgt ARCHIBALD William 1344176 Commemorated on the Royal Air Forces Memorial, Runnymede. Panel 140
    • W/Op F/Sgt RICHARDS John Thomas 1271196 Commemorated on the Royal Air Forces Memorial, Runnymede. Panel 138
    • AG F/Sgt COOK Charles Smith 1351535 Commemorated on the Royal Air Forces Memorial, Runnymede. Panel 135
    • AG F/Sgt FOWLER Joseph Arthur 1394170 Commemorated on the Royal Air Forces Memorial, Runnymede. Panel 136

    Took off from Woodhall Spa at 17:22. Believed to have crashed into the sea. Thank you to anyone that can help me.






    This is a photo of F/O Allan T Fitzpatrick DFM who flew from Woodhall Spa with 627 squardron for a few months before being killed in a crash on DZ521 with F/O A Matheson on 27th Sept 1944. He was my mother's first husband.

    Ian Duncan.



    I was based at Woodhall Spa in early 45 when both 617 Lancasters and 627-Mosquitos were operational. 617 was engaged in the hunt to sink a German warship--Lutzow? using 22000 lb bombs---on at least one occassion because of weather they returned and landed with the bombs still on board. I suspect this was because these bombs were in short supply

    Denis Perry.



    Has anyone any information on 97 squadron at Woodhall Spa, plane number OF-U.( W4175) which failed to return 29-30/3/1943. Cpt Peter Hilary Norton was the pilot who died. If anyone can help me please email me with any sort of information. Or if someone can give me a web site that can help me. I would be extremely greatful.

    Thankyou. Heather Birch



    Photographs

    If you have any Photographs you would like to share please get in touch.


    List of those who served here.

    • SGT A.G. Adger 97 Sqd.
    • Sgt William Archibald. Bomb Aimer. 619 Sqd.(d. 27 Nov 1943) Read his story
    • SGT G.A. Axup 97 Sqd.
    • SGT E.F. Ball 97 Sqd.
    • SGT R.H. Bambury 97 Sqd.
    • SGT O. Barraclough 97 Sqd.
    • F/S H.C. Beebe RCAF 97 Sqd.
    • SGT J.Bell 97 Sqd.
    • SGT C.E. Bellamy 97 Sqd.
    • SGT F. Bennett 97 Sqd.
    • F/S F.R. Birtwhistle 97 Sqd.
    • P/O J.T. Blease RNZAF 97 Sqd.
    • SGT J.A. Bond 97 Sqd.
    • SGT T.P. Bowles 97 Sqd.
    • SGT S. Brans 97 Sqd.
    • P/O N.J. Briant DFC 97 Sqd.
    • SGT J.C. Brittain 97 Sqd.
    • SGT R. Brook RAAF 97 Sqd.
    • SGT C.H. Brummitt 97 Sqd.
    • SGT W.H. Brunning 97 Sqd.
    • SGT G. Bull 97 Sqd.
    • F/S J.E. Bunt RCAF 97 Sqd.
    • SGT W.C. Burr 97 Sqd.
    • SGT V.J.A. Butler 97 Sqd.
    • SGT A. Byrom 97 Sqd.
    • John McKinley Carswell Read his Story
    • SGT F.P. Coaker 97 Sqd.
    • F/S S.R. Colbert 97 Sqd.
    • SGT D.V. Collings 97 Sqd.
    • F/Sgt Charles Smith Cook. air gunner 619 Sqd. (d. 27 Nov 1943) Read his story
    • F/S E.H. Coone RCAF 97 Sqd.
    • F/S J.S. Cooper 97 Sqd.
    • SGT E.V. Cope 97 Sqd.
    • SGT A.M. Cox 97 Sqd.
    • F/S A. Crerar 97 Sqd.
    • SGT P.J. Davey 97 Sqd.
    • F/S H.L. Davies 97 Sqd.
    • F/O L.A. Davies 97 Sqd.
    • SGT J.R. Dawson 97 Sqd.
    • SGT R. Day 97 Sqd.
    • F/S G.H.P. Dean 97 Sqd.
    • SGT S.V. Deed 97 Sqd.
    • SGT A.H.J. Desmond 97 Sqd.
    • SGT G.W. Dillon 97 Sqd.
    • SGT J.H. Dinning 97 Sqd.
    • SGT J. Donald 97 Sqd.
    • F/S R.S. Donald RCAF 97 Sqd.
    • F/S J.G. Donoghue RCAF 97 Sqd.
    • P/O L.C. Dorward DFC RAAF 97 Sqd.
    • F/S J.P. Doyle RCAF 97 Sqd.
    • F/S S.E. Eades MiD 97 Sqd.
    • P/O W.N. Eales 97 Sqd.
    • SGT R. Earnshaw 97 Sqd.
    • SGT H.I. Endley 97 Sqd.
    • P/O J.N. Eslick 97 Sqd.
    • SGT C.A. Farrimond 97 Sqd.
    • SGT L.C.A. Fisk 97 Sqd.
    • F/O Allan T Fitzpatrick DFM 627 Sqd. (d. 27th Sept 1944.) Read his story
    • SGT J. Forsyth 97 Sqd.
    • F/Sgt Joseph Arthur Fowler. air gunner 619 Sqd. (d. 27 Nov 1943) Read his story
    • SGT D. Francis 97 Sqd.
    • F/O G.C.W. Francis 97 Sqd.
    • SGT R. Frank RCAF 97 Sqd.
    • SGT H. MaA. Frew 97 Sqd.
    • P/O A.W. Friend 97 Sqd.
    • SGT S.M. Girvin 97 Sqd.
    • SGT J.L. Goddard 97 Sqd.
    • SGT E.B. Goodwin 97 Sqd.
    • SGT W.F. Grey 97 Sqd.
    • SGT K.F. Green 97 Sqd.
    • SGT T.A. Gray 97 Sqd.
    • SGT E.N. Grimwood 97 Sqd.
    • SGT At.T. Grossmith 97 Sqd.
    • F/S L. Grundy 97 Sqd.
    • SGT V.A. Hamon 97 Sqd.
    • SGT M.A. Harper RCAF 97 Sqd.
    • F/S D.W. Harrington MiD 97 Sqd.
    • SGT R. Harris 97 Sqd.
    • P/O K.H. Harrison DFM 97 Sqd.
    • W/O L. Harrison MiD 97 Sqd.
    • SGT N.C. Hayes MiD 97 Sqd.
    • F/S J.G. Hebdon 97 Sqd.
    • SGT G. Henderson 97 Sqd.
    • F/O D.S.R. Hepburn RCAF 97 Sqd.
    • SGT T.K. Hesketh 97 Sqd.
    • SGT W.S. Hignell RCAF 97 Sqd.
    • F/S C.H. Hinks RCAF 97 Sqd.
    • F/O G.C. Hooey DFC 97 Sqd.
    • SGT L.A. Horne 97 Sqd.
    • P/O M.F. Hughes 97 Sqd.
    • SGT G.J. Hunt 97 Sqd.
    • SGT A. Innes 97 Sqd.
    • SGT J. Izatt 97 Sqd.
    • SGT L.G. Jones 97 Sqd.
    • SGT W.P. Kelleher 97 Sqd.
    • F/O John Kellett nav. 619 Sqd. (d. 27 Nov 1943) Read his story
    • SGT A. Kemp 97 Sqd.
    • F/O W.J. Keough RCAF 97 Sqd.
    • SGT P. Lane 97 Sqd.
    • F/S H. Lawton RCAF 97 Sqd.
    • SGT C.G. Leitch 97 Sqd.
    • SGT S.G. Liney 97 Sqd.
    • SGT J. Little 97 Sqd.
    • SGT S. LLoyd 97 Sqd.
    • SGT V. Loar 97 Sqd.
    • Sgt Martin John Lynch. Flt eng. 619 Sqd. (d. 27 Nov 1943) Read his story
    • SGT D. MacDonald 97 Sqd.
    • SGT K. C. MacKay DFM 97 Sqd.
    • SGT F.E. MacKenzie 97 Sqd.
    • F/L J.G. MacKid DFC 97 Sqd.
    • F/S J.S. Macks 97 Sqd.
    • F/O J.W. Marshall 97 Sqd.
    • SGT W.K.F. Marshall 97 Sqd.
    • SGT R.C. Martin 97 Sqd.
    • F/O A Matheson 627 Sqd. (d. 27th Sept 1944.) Read his story
    • SGT S.F. Mattoon RCAF 97 Sqd.
    • SGT R. Matthews 97 Sqd.
    • F/O F. Mayes 97 Sqd.
    • F/O S.L. McBurney RCAF 97 Sqd.
    • SGT E. McDermott 97 Sqd.
    • F/S G.L. McKenna RCAF 97 Sqd.
    • SGT A.G.J. McMechan 97 Sqd.
    • F/O W.A. McMuchy RCAF 97 Sqd.
    • SGT A. McNeil 97 Sqd.
    • F/S A.J. McPhee 97 Sqd.
    • SGT G.H. Mercer 97 Sqd.
    • SGT K.P. Mercer RCAF 97 Sqd.
    • F/L C.W. Miller DFC RNZAF 97 Sqd.
    • F/S R.H. Morgan RCAF 97 Sqd.
    • SGT W.C. Morgan 97 Sqd.
    • SGT A. Mortimer RCAF 97 Sqd.
    • F/O R. Moyle RAAF 97 Sqd.
    • SGT R. Muskett 97 Sqd.
    • SGT A.E. Musgrave 97 Sqd.
    • W/O T.J. Mycock DFC 97 Sqd.
    • F/S A.E. Nickerson RCAF 97 Sqd.
    • F/O P.H. Norton 97 Sqd.
    • SGT D.L. Overton DFM 97 Sqd.
    • SGT R. Oxley 97 Sqd.
    • SGT R.S. Page MiD 97 Sqd.
    • SGT P.V. Parry 97 Sqd.
    • SGT J.A. Peel 97 Sqd.
    • Denis Perry.
    • F/S D.J. Platten 97 Sqd.
    • SGT D.C. Plaunt RCAF 97 Sqd.
    • SGT G.G. Plimmer 97 Sqd.
    • SGT A.F. Priest 97 Sqd.
    • SGT B. Quinn 97 Sqd.
    • W/O J.T. Radcliffe DFM RCAF 97 Sqd.
    • F/Lt Ronald David Rayment. pilot. 619 Sqd. (d. 27 Nov 1943) Read his story
    • SGT R.W. Rea RCAF 97 Sqd.
    • SGT W.G. Rendall 97 Sqd.
    • F/Sgt John Thomas Richards. W/Op 619 Sqd. (d. 27 Nov 1943) Read his story
    • SGT D.D. Richardson 97 Sqd.
    • F/S J.G. Richardson 97 Sqd.
    • P/O B.S. Robertson 97 Sqd.
    • SGT L. Robinson 97 Sqd.
    • SGT G.H. Rowson 97 Sqd.
    • F/S W. Shelley 97 Sqd.
    • F/S A.E. Shelson RCAF 97 Sqd.
    • P/O A.J. Smith RCAF 97 Sqd.
    • SGT E.G. Smith 97 Sqd.
    • SGT N.I. Smith RAAF 97 Sqd.
    • P/O E.J. Smitherman 97 Sqd.
    • F/O G.B. Smyth RCAF 97 Sqd.
    • SGT W.E. Spooner 97 Sqd.
    • SGT F. Spurr 97 Sqd.
    • SGT W. Standing 97 Sqd.
    • F/S J. Tales 97 Sqd.
    • SGT A.W.E. Taylor 97 Sqd.
    • SGT P.J.C. Thomas 97 Sqd.
    • W/O L.E. Thorneycroft RCAF 97 Sqd.
    • SGT J. Tongue RCAF 97 Sqd.
    • P/O T.N. Tree 97 Sqd.
    • SGT A.E. Trott 97 Sqd.
    • W/O G.C Trudell RCAF 97 Sqd.
    • P/O J.D. Turner 97 Sqd.
    • P/O R.B. Underwood 97 Sqd.
    • SGT R. Unwin 97 Sqd.
    • SGT J.A.J. Viau RCAF 97 Sqd.
    • F/O A.D. Walker RCAF 97 Sqd.
    • SGT D.W. Wallis 97 Sqd.
    • F/S R.B. Walls RCAF 97 Sqd.
    • P/O A.T. Webb MiD 97 Sqd.
    • F/O R.E. Weight 97 Sqd.
    • P/O J.C. Weir RCAF 97 Sqd.
    • SGT J.E. West 97 Sqd.
    • P/O R.J. Westgate RCAF 97 Sqd.
    • SGT R.J. Whatley 97 Sqd.
    • F/S T.R. Whitehead 97 Sqd.
    • SGT W.H. Whiting 97 Sqd.
    • F/S V. Wilding 97 Sqd.
    • F/S J.C. Wilkinson 97 Sqd.
    • P/O K.J. Williams 97 Sqd.
    • SGT T.L. Williams 97 Sqd.
    • F/S A.H. Withers 97 Sqd.
    • SGT D. Wright 97 Sqd.

    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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