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| | click [[Wars]] for local details of the Boer War, WW1, WW2, & The Cold War | | click [[Wars]] for local details of the Boer War, WW1, WW2, & The Cold War |
| − | [[File:RAF Main Gates Illustration.jpg|thumb|1987 Main Gates drawing by Miles Marshall]]
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| − | '''Hallmark February 1987. The New RAF Operations Centre'''.
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| − | Way back in October 1985 the National Trust held a successful Open Day on the Bradenham Estate, this included a number of displays. 1800 members attended.
| + | '''The Site''' |
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| − | The display that was of major interest was the one of the new Royal Air Force operations and communications centre which is being built on National Trust property adjacent to Headquarters Strike Command. We felt readers might like to know more about the project, and we are indebted to the R.A.F. for this article. Cover drawing by our own [[Miles Marshall]]. | + | The headquarters and officers houses were built on the north side of the Walters Ash to Bradenham Road and are in the parish of Lacey Green, their children attending [[Lacey Green School]] |
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| − | The January/February 1985 edition of [[Hallmark]] included an article about Royal Air Force, High Wycombe and Headquarters Strike Command. This piece gave a brief history of the Station from just before World War II up to the present day and showed how, when the camp was being built, great trouble was taken to preserve the beech trees and other natural camouflage. The instructions on a contemporary site plan were "The positions of all buildings to be checked and moved slightly if necessary to avoid removing trees. Roadway to be detoured to allow as many trees to remain as possible. No trees to be cut down without sanction of the Air Ministry, other than are necessary to site the buildings."
| + | 90 acres compulsory purchase from the Bradenham Estate for the headquarters and officers houses and some land on the west side of Walters Ash. |
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| − | Another consideration, then as now, was the preservation of [[Grims Ditch]] which runs through the site. This ditch and mound probably date from the 5th or 6<sup>th</sup> Century and stretch over four miles in this area. It is not known whether its purpose was agricultural or military, but it is preserved as a historic monument.
| + | The servicemen and women lived on the east side of Walters Ash, where a NAFFI, church, school and playing fields were also constructed. Land was acquired for this :- |
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| − | Camouglage measures included constructing the original Headquarters Bomber Command buildings from local brick and in a variety of designs so as to appear from the air like a typical town or village. Thus, the present Fire Section and central heating buildings is an almost cruciform shape, with a tower at one end and resembles a church. The original Air Staff block has dormer windows and was supposed to resemble "a municipal building or town hall”.
| + | 3rd May 1940. Mrs Ishbel Ridgley sold eleven and a half acres of [[Speen Farm]]. (east side of Walters Ash). click [[Ishbel MacDonald]] for Ishbel. |
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| − | The Headquarters was provided with a small underground operations centre from which bomber operations against Nazi Germany were planned and controlled throughout World War II. The name most often connected with this period is that of the late Marshal of the Royal Air Force Sir Arthur Harris. Anyone interested in the "Bomber" Harris era is recommended to obtain a copy of "Bomber Command" by Max Hastings (Michael Joseph 1979) which, in addition to being a well researched and readable account of the Command's wartime activities, also includes some interesting details about the local scene in those days.
| + | Land for school (site 3) from Mrs Emma Grace. click [[James & Emma Grace]] f or more about Emma. |
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| − | In 1969 a reorganisation of the RAF commands resulted in Bomber Command being absorbed into the new Strike Command with wider operational responsibilities. The Headquarters' role was further expanded in 1975 when the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief Strike Command also assumed certain NATO responsibilities as Commander-in-Chief United Kingdom Air Defence Region. Throughout this period and up to the present day all the Command's operational activities have been planned and controlled from the original underground operations centre constructed in 1939. Although it continues to function satisfactorily it has a number of shortcomings, principally in terms of space in view of the Commands increased responsibilities. Accordingly, plans were made some years ago to provide a new operations centre and agreement was reached to build on land adjacent to the present Headquarters which was leased from the National Trust.
| + | September 1941. Land for sports field site 4 from C W Raffety, estate agents for [[Walters Ash Farm]]. |
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| − | Construction of the new underground operations centre was started in May 1982. Management of construction is in the hands of the Department of Environment (Property Services Agency) and the prime contractor 0S Taylor Woodrow Construction plc. From the outset the views of the local authorities, the National Trust and other conservation organisations were taken into account in the design, planning and implementation of the project. As a result, a special temporary access road was constructed from the A4O10 West Wycombe to Princes Risborough road so that heavy vehicles would not have to pass through Bradenham, Lacey.
| + | '''Hallmark April 1968.''' '''Bomber Command''' and '''Fighter Command''' were merged as '''Strike Command''' and a year later incorporated both '''Signals and Coastal Commands.''' |
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| − | Green, Walters Ash and Naphill. Now that the heavy construction work is complete and the number of heavy vehicles visiting the site is few, this road has been closed, again with the prior agreement of the National Trust and local authorities. The National Trust was also consulted about fences, hedgerows and trees and in many cases the plans were modified to protect and preserve these and other natural features. Soil and chalk that had to be removed during the early excavation process were stored in separate areas of adjoining fields and are now being replaced. Over the centre of the site the ground will be some 10m above the original level; however, because of its location and the landscaping of the surrounding area, this will not be apparent from nearby public roads and footpaths. Incidentally, construction work which has resulted in a large, fenced mound beside the Walters Ash to Lacey Green road has no connection with the Royal Air Force. This installation is a reservoir belonging to the local water authority.
| + | '''Hallmark April 1975.''' [[1975 Strike Command becomes the Headquarters of U.K. Air Forces]]. Click [[Celebrations]] for other such events. |
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| − | Regular meetings are held to discuss landscaping arrangements at which the National Trust is represented. A firm of professional landscape consultants has been contracted by DOE to provide planning and advice and the final stage will involve seeding the whole site so that it is returned as near as possible to the type of meadowland that was there before construction started. This may involve taking a grass crop from an adjoining field so that identical seeds are reintroduced. The few small structures that will be above ground will be coloured so as to be as inconspicuous as possible and sight lines have been checked to ensure that most new structures will not be seen from the surrounding areas. In many respects the Royal Air Force has found that its concerns are the same as those of local residents and conservationists, namely to minimise inconvenience for nearby communities and to ensure that the final result is as unobtrusive as possible.
| + | '''Hallmark April 1985'''. [[1985 RAF Main Gates, Strike Command]] Research by [[Miles Marshall]]. |
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| − | To safeguard the environment in the longer term it is Ministry of Defence policy to establish Conservation Groups at sites where there is known conservation interest and suitable expertise is available. As an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty the location of Strike Command's new operations centre clearly falls within that category and a Conservation Group will be formed. The Chairman of a Conservation Group is normally someone from the Service establishment administering the site and he is supported by a small committee including representatives of the main interests at the site, for example ornithology, botany and entomology. One of these representatives often fulfils a dual function by representing the local county trust or natural history society as well as a particular naturalist Or scientific interest. At other military establishments it has been found that areas of restricted access become havens for wildlife and we hope this will apply in the fenced area around the new operations centre.
| + | '''Hallmark February 1987.''' [[The New RAF Operations Centre]]. (An exhibition giving the history of this RAF Command Centre from its inception.) |
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| − | It is hoped that this short article will be of interest to your readers – our neighbours - and give some reassurance that positive steps are being taken to preserve the natural beauty of the Chilterns whilst meeting the requirements of national defence
| + | click [[RAF Local Residents]] for details of these men and women. |
| | + | [[File:Spitfire Touches Down Sep 2008.jpg|thumb]] |
| | + | '''2008. Press report by''' Oliver Evans September 2008 |
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| + | A New Spitfire model at RAF High Wycombe was officially unveiled in memory of a Battle of Britain pilot who lived in south Buckinghamshire. |
| − | '''The Royal Air Force Station for RAF High Wycombe is at Walters Ash'''
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| − | Built for WW2 it was then '''Bomber Command,''' subsequently '''Strike Command''' then '''Air Command''' and the headquarters of the '''European Air Group'''
| + | The fighter plane replica was opened as a ‘gate guardian’ at the entrance to the Walters Ash, Wycombe base by the RAF’s most senior officer Air Chief Marshal Sir Clive Loader. |
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| − | '''In April 1968''' Bomber Command and Fighter Command were merged as '''Strike Command''' and a year later incorporated both Signals and Coastal Commands.
| + | It bears the insignia of the aircraft flown by Squadron Leader Donald Osborne Finlay, who fought in the Battle of Britain. |
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| − | Report in Hallmark. '''10th April 1975 Strike Command''' became a major subordinate of NATO Command to be known as Head Quarters United Kingdom Air Forces. RAF Strike Command is by far the largest and most important part of the Royal Air Force and today controls all the front line combat aircraft in the UK and worldwide, with the exception of RAF Germany, The A O C in charge (a NATO appointment) is Air Chief Marshall Sir David Craig.
| + | Mr. Finlay, who died in 1970, lived in Lacey Green and Prestwood during his distinguished RAF career. After being shot down near Canterbury in August 1940 Squadron Leader Finlay led 41 Squadron as Commanding Officer in the Battle of Britain. |
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| − | 'The Bunker' of which we have heard so much of late, is not, as has been rumoured, to be a storehouse for nuclear weapons, but an-up-to-date control centre for the air defence of this country and our NATO allies.
| + | He competed in the hurdles at the 1936 Olympics and was captain of the Great Britain team at the 1948 London games. In attendance at Thursday’s event were his sister Nancy Warren, 90 and his daughters Lisa Tomlin and Mandy Finlay-Dekowski. |
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| − | The skill with which the huge pipe trench along Smalldean Lane has already been filled in and reseeded should go a long way to reassure us that the gigantic scar caused by the work on the 'bunker' itself will eventually merge into the hillside so that nature may finish the restoration. | + | Mrs Tomlin said: “It is amazing – I am very proud.” Mrs Finlay-Dekowski said: “I am extremely honoured.” The replica was given to the base – the headquarters of the RAF – by the defence firm BAE Systems. Last year a Hurricane aircraft replica was unveiled at the other side of the entrance to the base, off New Road. |
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| − | '''<u>Wing Commander Alan Oakshot</u>'''. Lived in Naphill
| + | Sir Clive said: “In the RAF’s 90th year it is particularly apposite that BAE Systems chose to present a Spitfire, to match the existing Hurricane, thereby completing the set of iconic – Battle of Britain fighters that provide such fitting guardians to the premier headquarters of the Royal Air Force.” |
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| − | '''''Research Note''' Alan Oakshot is included in [[RAF Local Residents]] because it was he who suggested that the new Headquarters of RAF High Wycombe, should be built at Walters Ash, surrounded by the woods.''
| + | Kevin Taylor, managing director of BAE Systems air mission support and services, said: “The Spitfire is one example of our. Shared heritage and this replica is a great illustration of the partnering between the armed forces’ and industry.” |
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| + | '''The replica spitfire''' at the entrance to Bomber Command is a memorial to Don Finlay. click [[RAF Local Residents]] for Don's illustrious service career (click [[Don & Joanne Finlay]] for more about Don) |
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| − | The headquarters and officers houses were built on the north side of Walters Ash to Bradenham Road and are
| + | '''A replica hurricane''' at the entrance to Bomber Command is |
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| − | in the parish of Lacey Green, their children attending [[Lacey Green School]]
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| − | The majority of the servicemen and women lived in Walters Ash, where a NAFFI, church and playing fields were also constructed.
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| − | 3rd May 1940. Mrs Ishbel Ridgley sold eleven and a half acres of [[Speen Farm]]. click [[Ishbel MacDonald]] for more about Ishbel.
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| − | Land for school (site 3) from Mrs Emma Grace
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| − | 90 acres compulsory purchase from Bradenham Estate
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| − | September 1941. Land for sports field site 4 from C W Raffety for [[Walters Ash Farm]].
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| − | October 1940. Commandant. Squadron Leader J F Mehigan
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| − | 3rd February 1942 Air Vice Marshall Arthur Harris (Bomber Harris). click [[Air Chief Marshall Arthur Harris]] for more about Arthur Harris
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click Wars for local details of the Boer War, WW1, WW2, & The Cold War
The Site
The headquarters and officers houses were built on the north side of the Walters Ash to Bradenham Road and are in the parish of Lacey Green, their children attending Lacey Green School
90 acres compulsory purchase from the Bradenham Estate for the headquarters and officers houses and some land on the west side of Walters Ash.
The servicemen and women lived on the east side of Walters Ash, where a NAFFI, church, school and playing fields were also constructed. Land was acquired for this :-
3rd May 1940. Mrs Ishbel Ridgley sold eleven and a half acres of Speen Farm. (east side of Walters Ash). click Ishbel MacDonald for Ishbel.
Land for school (site 3) from Mrs Emma Grace. click James & Emma Grace f or more about Emma.
September 1941. Land for sports field site 4 from C W Raffety, estate agents for Walters Ash Farm.
Hallmark April 1968. Bomber Command and Fighter Command were merged as Strike Command and a year later incorporated both Signals and Coastal Commands.
Hallmark April 1975. 1975 Strike Command becomes the Headquarters of U.K. Air Forces. Click Celebrations for other such events.
Hallmark April 1985. 1985 RAF Main Gates, Strike Command Research by Miles Marshall.
Hallmark February 1987. The New RAF Operations Centre. (An exhibition giving the history of this RAF Command Centre from its inception.)
click RAF Local Residents for details of these men and women.
2008. Press report by Oliver Evans September 2008
A New Spitfire model at RAF High Wycombe was officially unveiled in memory of a Battle of Britain pilot who lived in south Buckinghamshire.
The fighter plane replica was opened as a ‘gate guardian’ at the entrance to the Walters Ash, Wycombe base by the RAF’s most senior officer Air Chief Marshal Sir Clive Loader.
It bears the insignia of the aircraft flown by Squadron Leader Donald Osborne Finlay, who fought in the Battle of Britain.
Mr. Finlay, who died in 1970, lived in Lacey Green and Prestwood during his distinguished RAF career. After being shot down near Canterbury in August 1940 Squadron Leader Finlay led 41 Squadron as Commanding Officer in the Battle of Britain.
He competed in the hurdles at the 1936 Olympics and was captain of the Great Britain team at the 1948 London games. In attendance at Thursday’s event were his sister Nancy Warren, 90 and his daughters Lisa Tomlin and Mandy Finlay-Dekowski.
Mrs Tomlin said: “It is amazing – I am very proud.” Mrs Finlay-Dekowski said: “I am extremely honoured.” The replica was given to the base – the headquarters of the RAF – by the defence firm BAE Systems. Last year a Hurricane aircraft replica was unveiled at the other side of the entrance to the base, off New Road.
Sir Clive said: “In the RAF’s 90th year it is particularly apposite that BAE Systems chose to present a Spitfire, to match the existing Hurricane, thereby completing the set of iconic – Battle of Britain fighters that provide such fitting guardians to the premier headquarters of the Royal Air Force.”
Kevin Taylor, managing director of BAE Systems air mission support and services, said: “The Spitfire is one example of our. Shared heritage and this replica is a great illustration of the partnering between the armed forces’ and industry.”
The replica spitfire at the entrance to Bomber Command is a memorial to Don Finlay. click RAF Local Residents for Don's illustrious service career (click Don & Joanne Finlay for more about Don)
A replica hurricane at the entrance to Bomber Command is
