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 RAF Stations around Chippenham |
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RAF Stations around Chippenham |
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There have been several searches of the "yourguide" site recently for (former) RAF stations in this part of Wiltshire. Here is all I know:- RAF Yatesbury The camp site formerly seen on the left of the Calne to Marlborough road (A4) is gone excepting (I first thought) for one building. The land has returned to farming, with a small section given over to a Microlite (light?) Company. Further exploration towards the village revealed several others buildings still standing in desolation. Apparently listed and in a conservation area there are plans to build on parts of the site. (2005)  There is an old comrades association at The Yatesbury Association In these pages you will find information relating to the history of RAF Yatesbury, RAF Compton Bassett, RAF Townsend & RAF Cherhill up to their closure. More Yatesbury Pictures RAF Melksham The RAF has gone but much of the site has been developed as an industrial estate. Strangely many of the roads are named after aircraft, though none ever flew here. There are two web sites the Unofficial Website and the official one at www.melkshamtown.co.uk/ From the front page you need to click on "Enter" > "Main Menu”" > "Places of Interest" . . . it’s down near the bottom of the page, where you will find a link to the "Unofficial" site whence most of the information came in the first place. Complicated Huh? RAF Rudloe Manor just off the Corsham to Box road (A4) finally closed in 2001 There is a report on its current state here and a photo here. RAF Hullavington on the Chippenham to Malmesbury road (A429) is still in use albeit by the army, Buckley Barracks (named after Ordnance Corps Hero John Buckley VC) is home to 9 Supply Regiment RLC. Some gliding takes place and the building are listed and in a good state of repair. Lots of references on the web but no site that I can find, specifically devoted to it. RAF Upavon (A342 between Devizes & Ludgershall) is also now used by the Army, and is called Trenchard Lines. RAF Keevil is still in use, mostly gliding and for practice by aircraft based at Lyneham. RAF Colerne was constructed in 1940 as a fighter base. Photo here. The RAF left in 1976 and the base became "Azimghur Barracks" when it was taken over by the Army in 1978 for The Junior Leaders Regiment Royal Corps of Transport. It is now home to 244 Signal Squadron and 81 Signal Squadron. Finally, still in operation, home of the "Fat Albert" and with its own great web site, RAF Lyneham If your search led you this far, you may be interested in Find RAF Friends. |