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- Jan 6, 2013
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1. The History
The airfield originally opened in 1917 as a Royal Naval Air Service station called Wellingore Heath. It then re-opened in 1935 and remained in active service until the end of the Second World War, finally closing in 1947. It had two grass runways, a concrete perimeter track and one extra over blister hanger and seven blister hangers. The site just south of village was used as Relief Landing Ground (RLG) by Cranwell until June 1940 and then as a satellite site for RAF Digby with 46 Squadron Hurricanes and 29 Squadron Blenheims and Beaufighters.
Notable personalities connected with the base include Wing Commander Guy Gibson who lived with his young wife in the nearby Navenby village. The station was also used as a prisoner of war (POW) camp for captured. It operated as a work camp where the prisoners were sent to work as labourers in the local area. The land was then given back to the local land-owner (the Overtons). Many of the original buildings, including the control have been demolished but many others still remain. Immediately to the east of the airfield site is runs the High Dyke (Ermine Street Roman Road).
2. The Explore
Been through Wellingore too many times to time count but never got off the main road through this hilltop Lincs village and to the south-east where the former WWII airfield is situated. Bit of a revisit as last came here back in 2016. I was passing and had a bit of time on my hands so thought I’d pop in.
There are two main sites – the main airfield where there’s pillboxes, defended dispersals and a reasonable condition Battle HQ. Then a mile or so away, just west of the main airfield, the Technical Site including a powerhouse, two large ‘Maycrete type’ workshops and a blast shelter.
3. The Pictures
The main site:
img4833 by HughieDW, on Flickr
One of many pillboxes scattered around:
img4839 by HughieDW, on Flickr
This one’s sealed but a peek through the slit reveals the iron gun loop mounts intact:
img4835 by HughieDW, on Flickr
There are plenty of defended dispersals too:
img4840 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img4842 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img4845 by HughieDW, on Flickr
This pillbox is on the site’s perimeter:
img4851 by HughieDW, on Flickr
Again, with the machine-gun mounts present:
img4853 by HughieDW, on Flickr
Finally, we have the Battle HQ:
img4858 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img4862 by HughieDW, on Flickr
On to the Technical site and the light was going a bit. Think this the powerhouse:
img3924 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img3925 by HughieDW, on Flickr
These are definitely the blast trenches:
img4821 by HughieDW, on Flickr
The first of two Maycrete type’ workshops. Doors in need of attention:
img3927 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img3928 by HughieDW, on Flickr
The workshops are used by the local farmer for storage now:
img3932 by HughieDW, on Flickr
Including this old dog kennel called ‘Bone View’:
img4825 by HughieDW, on Flickr
And this vintage piece of farm machinery:
img3930 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img3933 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img3935 by HughieDW, on Flickr
The airfield originally opened in 1917 as a Royal Naval Air Service station called Wellingore Heath. It then re-opened in 1935 and remained in active service until the end of the Second World War, finally closing in 1947. It had two grass runways, a concrete perimeter track and one extra over blister hanger and seven blister hangers. The site just south of village was used as Relief Landing Ground (RLG) by Cranwell until June 1940 and then as a satellite site for RAF Digby with 46 Squadron Hurricanes and 29 Squadron Blenheims and Beaufighters.
Notable personalities connected with the base include Wing Commander Guy Gibson who lived with his young wife in the nearby Navenby village. The station was also used as a prisoner of war (POW) camp for captured. It operated as a work camp where the prisoners were sent to work as labourers in the local area. The land was then given back to the local land-owner (the Overtons). Many of the original buildings, including the control have been demolished but many others still remain. Immediately to the east of the airfield site is runs the High Dyke (Ermine Street Roman Road).
2. The Explore
Been through Wellingore too many times to time count but never got off the main road through this hilltop Lincs village and to the south-east where the former WWII airfield is situated. Bit of a revisit as last came here back in 2016. I was passing and had a bit of time on my hands so thought I’d pop in.
There are two main sites – the main airfield where there’s pillboxes, defended dispersals and a reasonable condition Battle HQ. Then a mile or so away, just west of the main airfield, the Technical Site including a powerhouse, two large ‘Maycrete type’ workshops and a blast shelter.
3. The Pictures
The main site:
img4833 by HughieDW, on FlickrOne of many pillboxes scattered around:
img4839 by HughieDW, on FlickrThis one’s sealed but a peek through the slit reveals the iron gun loop mounts intact:
img4835 by HughieDW, on FlickrThere are plenty of defended dispersals too:
img4840 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg4842 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg4845 by HughieDW, on FlickrThis pillbox is on the site’s perimeter:
img4851 by HughieDW, on FlickrAgain, with the machine-gun mounts present:
img4853 by HughieDW, on FlickrFinally, we have the Battle HQ:
img4858 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg4862 by HughieDW, on FlickrOn to the Technical site and the light was going a bit. Think this the powerhouse:
img3924 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg3925 by HughieDW, on FlickrThese are definitely the blast trenches:
img4821 by HughieDW, on FlickrThe first of two Maycrete type’ workshops. Doors in need of attention:
img3927 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg3928 by HughieDW, on FlickrThe workshops are used by the local farmer for storage now:
img3932 by HughieDW, on FlickrIncluding this old dog kennel called ‘Bone View’:
img4825 by HughieDW, on FlickrAnd this vintage piece of farm machinery:
img3930 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg3933 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg3935 by HughieDW, on Flickr
