RAF Upwood opened in 1917 as a satellite field for RAF Elmswell. Shortly after opening, a few hangars and buildings were built. It closed in 1919. During the RAF expansion period in the mid 1930s the airfield was expanded drastically. Five hangars were built, and around 100 other buildings of varying sizes. The base finally closed in 1995. Wikipedia has a lot more info about the base.
The last twelve years haven’t been kind to the base. It has suffered badly at the hands of vandals. The hangars are in use by a turbine company and are inaccessible. The rest of the buildings are totally gutted, and used occassionally by “airsofters” (people with guns and small balls).
Guard House
This is the first thing you see when entering RAF Upwood. The Guard House. Inside is a little cell to detain people, a small shower block and some other rooms.
Head Quarters
Opposite the Guard House is the main base HQ. Compared to the rest of the site, this is in quite good condition – there are even curtains in some rooms! In one of the back rooms was a huge black-board type thing for aircraft assignments.
Community Centre
Next stop was the community centre. This is where the people stationed on the base would’ve come to relax sometimes. There was a bar inside and a sports court.
Water Tower
The water tower looks the same as West Raynham’s. I would’ve climbed it but the ladders were covered in pigeon mess.
Gas Decontamination Buildings
This is one (two) of the most impressive things at Upwood – two “underground” (under-mound?) gas decontamination buildings. They were built as a precaution – the use of gas weapons had been outlawed in 1925.
Contaminated troops would’ve entered at one end, deposited their clothes in some chutes for washing/destroying; have a shower in the large line of cubicles; get new clothes from the store; and wait until the gas had gone outside. One of the bunkers was attatched to the hospital/sick quarters by a short passage.
Stores
Used for storing stuff.
Boiler House
Couldn’t climb this one – the door was blocked with bricks and debris.
Officers Mess
This is where the officers would have lived and relaxed. There is a huge ballroom and a small cinema room.
Sergeants Mess
The Sergeants Mess is joined to the Officers Mess via a corridor. It’s smaller and not as interesting. It is an E-shape.
Dining Room
No explanation is really needed for this – it’s where the airmen would have eaten. In the back was an impressively-huge oven. And a mortuary tray.
The chefs and staff would have accessed the upstairs level by this crazy little staircase. It was *really* narrow – I could barely fit up it! Upstairs was totally gutted (not a surprise) and the windows sort-of boarded up – again presumably for the gun people.
Out the back was this little room – the back of the ovens.
Entertainment building
This seemed to be some sort of entertainment area. I am not sure exactly what it was.
Random Barrack Blocks
They all look the same, and it got a bit boring looking through them all.
Tanks
There are two tanks at Upwood, used as elaborate props for the airsofters. They’re seriously cool…
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All the pictures on your site will keep the memories alive for people who used to work at RAF Upwood. By the look of the base now, you would never of thought the Pathfinders were base there during World War Two. At lest the four hangars will be there for many years to come due to Turbine Motor Works using them to recon Jet engines. As for the rest of the site, before long will all be house iam sure. Great Pictures. Great Site. Thanks! Sean Edwards
Hi great site!, i agree with Sean for such an airfeild which is packed with history ,it seems Upwood has just been left to die. All there is to remember the great Pathfinders is a very small plaque at the front ….. not big enough to pay any respects to at all, a great shame.
I went to upwood on Sunday 10th June and was surprised by what I saw. I didn’t realise that it had got into this state. It was a special place for me – the birth place of a long friendship so I am rather nostalgic about the whole thing. Does anyone know who owns the land? Is it still MOD?
Mark, the land is privately-owned by a sheep farmer and I understand that he is looking to develop, (housing).
It is sad the state of the buildings as I always feel the history when I visit there. What is worse is that having run out of windows to smash, the local kids have started burning the combustable bits. So very sad.
I spent four years at Upwood and made some of the best friends of my life. It is a shame.
At least I have my memories from 1951-54 and working on heavies! Let’s hope it stays for a while yet.
Hey Pete Snook, I was also there from about 1950 – 54. I was 10 years old in 1950. My father was posted there after we had spent about 3 years in Germany (RAF Wunstorf).He was a flight sergeant responsible for aircraft maintenance. At that time the RAF was flying Lincoln bombers out of Upwood but I can remember when we received the first Canberra in 1953. We were the first to move into the brand new (at that time) semi-detached houses on Lincoln st. I went to Bury school and later to Ramsey Abbey Grammer School. From Upwood we emigrated to Canada; first to Toronto and now Montreal. Regards
My father Tom McVie worked in the Officers Mess at Upwood from 1962 to 1968 and we stayed at 16 Lancaster Road. My dads 70 now and im 42. We stay scotland now and i took him down to Upwood a few months ago. It made him so happy to see all his old haunts but sad with the state of the place. He told me that we used to stay in one of the flats in the officers mess (for the duty mess steward)before moving to lancaster Road when i was born in 65. Great site.
Tom
hi there great site i have visted upwood was astonished at the amount of history in the base but was very disheartened by the amount of damage and vandilisum caused to the base i am only 22 my self and would not even think and wrecking a buliding with thank much history iam very intrested in millarty history and thankful for the men and women who have served in of forces but please could some one enlighten me in respects to if you are allowed on the base or not as i would like to revist but go further than the road
I grew up in warboys in the 80′s and used to visit the camp with friends who were posted there from the usa, I now live in one of the old married quaurters houses on Liberator Road. I drive past the camp every day and can see the hangars from my window, it breaks my heart to see the state its in, it could be used for so much. I don’t mind the sheep at the bottom of my garden though, they keep the children amused. Better than a big housing estate!!!
Hi Paul(Rainbow)
I served on 148 sqdn from the beginning of 1952 until the middle of 1954.. I was in the instrument section although I also spent a lot of my time there towing the “Lincolns” about!! Great days! regards
Pete Snook.
I spent 3 years as a USAF NCO Academy instructor at Upwood – three of the best years of my career. We lived in Valiant Square across the street. It’s really, really sad to see the buildings in such disrepair. I was literally the last USAF person on that base, handing the keys to our facilities over to PSA. I guess they were never occupied again, except by the vandals! It sure is sad to see how these buldings appear now.
My father was based at RAF Upwood in the early 50′s and was a mid upper gunner in a bomber, I’m not sure what type of plane though. He crashed while we were at Upwood and was the only survivor in the crew. I went on your site to see if the family quarters were still there. It was sad to see all those empty buildings.
I was stationed at Upwood from1985 to 1989. The years ’88 and ’89 have bittersweet memories. However, some of my more enjoyable memories are of going to Ramsey on Saturdays and going to the market, then picking up some scones. It’s a shame to see such a historic place go to ruins that way. RAF Upwood deserves better.
Hi Jill Mason
I wonder if your Dad was on 148 Sdn. They would have been Avro “Lincolns” at that time. I was on the sqdn from 1952 – 1954 so it would be good to find out.
Bye for now
Pete Snook.
I was a Snowdrop (RAFP) at Upwood from Feb.53 to Aug.53. I had the job of guarding two large silver cups in the entrance to the Airmens Mess one day. They were presented to the station by the makers of the film Appointment in London and by Rolls Royce in recognition of the flight crews who flew 400 hrs in 40 days to test the Avon engines on the Canberra. I had my first flight from Upwood in a 7 Sqdn Lincoln-on one of the practice flights for the Coronation Flypast at Odiham-and I was sick as a dog for the first of four hours we were up there-but enjoyed afterwards. It makes me wonder what makes these people tick who wrecked the place after it was closed-if they had half a brain they would be half-wits!! I hope to go to Upwood again for the Ramsey do later in the year.
I have happy memories of RAF Upwood between 1967 and 1971 when I was between 10 and 13 years old. We lived at 36 Valiant Square. Back then it was all spick and span with carefully tended rose bushes, Ford Cortinas and Hillman motorcars. A Canberra jet bomber was on display at the main entrance to the base. For me the best thing was being able to ride my bike at full speed down each of the three runways and then explore all the perimeter tracks and aircraft pans. There was usually a Chipmunk from nearby Wyton flying overhead and occasionally the din from a pair of American Phantoms would break the sense of tranquility. Always one was aware of the enormity of events that had occured there only a quarter of a century earlier.
Stationed at Upwood in 1974. Was due to arrive on my 21st birthday but got a little delayed. Was stationed with the RAF School of Education. Great place pity it has got into such a state. Left it in 1974 along with the School of Education on the move to RAF Newton.
With one or two exceptions, eg the Officer’s Mess (which would make a fine arts centre and live events venue) they should demolish what’s left of the disused buildings, clear the site, and create a sort of park with playing fields. Maybe include an area that encourages some species of birds which are currently on the wane. Don’t build loads of houses on it. It’d be good for young people to have the space to run around in. In my view this, or something similar would make a fitting tribute to all those who served and worked there in one way or another. Both this website and the other magnificent one created by Sean Edwards ensure that history and the memories are preserved.
The main room in the Officer’s Mess has now been burnt out. Like someone eles said “there’s no more windows to smash so they start burning things” What a shame. The last thing we want is houses on the site, the roads cant cope with the amount of traffic now. Thanks for the kind works about my website Philip.
http://www.rafupwood.co.uk
Sean Edwards
Just spent the day at Upwood as one of those ‘airsofters with small balls!’ I was amazed that having spent 30 years in the RAF, I never new of it’s existance, so thought I’d do a little research and am amazed at it’s history. Although derelicte it is being well used and while the ‘airsofters’ are still there the buildings will remain, we are assured that it will be a couple of years before anything happens.
I lived at 7 Blenheim Road from 1979 until 1981. We had wonderful friends there, Ed and Dos Jarry, Jim and Brenad Cowen, and our english friends Nick and Wendi Oswald. Many great memories. I haven’t been back to England since 1981. It is a shame to see RAF Upwood in this condition in this pictures.
My and husband I were stationed at Upwood from 1985-1988. Some of our best memories are while living there.. Our first home together was at 6 Lancaster Rd. and our first son was born while there. It is very sad to see what has become of it.
BTW-If you happen to check this site John Staworski – HI!, hope all is well.
I stumbled on your website quite by accident, but found it a fascinating addition to urban exploration documentation efforts taking place worldwide. BTW, does the Jill Mason who posted above hail from Ottawa, by any chance? If so, and you happen to read this, Hi Jill. Drop me a line in Toronto.
John Reardon
It would be such a shame if loads of houses where built on the site, we had a look round at the 40′s weekend. Whats going to happen to all those houses boarded up in Valiant Square, such a waste, they look like they were lovely houses at one time.
after seeing your pictures i went and took a look i bet it would have been an amazing place at one time also i have taken pics at day and night two of the night ones show a figure at one of the windows with a bright light round it could this place be haunted ????
my dad bob hodgson served on 35 squadron at upwood from 1958 till dispandment approx 1961,we lived in quarters in farm close.
I lived at Upwood 1953 with parents Ron & Iris Kingswood, my brother Tony who was deaf. My sister Pauline was born at home on Liberator Rd. My father died in 2000. Does anyone remember us. It was very sad to se the state of the place, in the pictures. I found this site by accident. but I’m so glad that I did. Dad was in 7 squadron. We moved to Woodhall Spa when he started working for the AA.
I was stationed at RAF Alconbury from 05/1992 until being reassigned to RAF Mildenhall in 1995 when Alconbury was being drawn down. I lived at 32 Valiant Square (WWII officer housing) just outside RAF Upwood proper. My first tour to the UK was from 1979-1983. I guess we won the “cold” war, but it breaks my heart to see the state of the old bases. Thanks for positng the pictures.
I was stationed at RAF Upwood 1970-1972 as a Mess Steward working in the Officers Mess
We stayed at 1 Lancaster Road
Last year we went down to Upwood from Glenrothes Fife
It breaks my heart to see Upwood in the state its in
but the memories are still alive
As soem-one recently remarked, the whole known world has been to Upwood. My father was staitoned here in the 1950′s, and I, being Natonal service then, ‘claimed’ him when my training as a Ground Wireless mechanic finished. Of my class, I was the only one to remain in the UK. I spent 18 months or more in the Control Tower – long since demolished, signed on, and spent yet more time in the 70′s on a Teacher training course at Upwood in later years. I think I’ll keep my memories complete, 50 years later.
I was a teacher at Upwood Elementary School from 1989 until it closed in 1994. We were told that our classrooms were originally barracks for soldiers.
I loved it there! It had the feeling of a college campus, and we had little bicycles to use when we needed to go quickly from one building to another. I also remember there being a lot of wind – we once had to use buses to get the students over to the school cafeteria, because they were so small they would be blown away!
My 4th grade class invited John Major to come and talk to our class one year. I remember trying to deliver the letter personally to his home in Great Stukely, and being told by a very polite policeman that he would deliver it for me. He did just that, and although the Prime Minister declined our invitation, Mrs. Norma Major did come!
I always thought it was a great experience for children to be in a place with so much wide open space. We went on lots of walks, used the track, and had several glider demonstrations.
I think the picture you see in one of the photos is from a unit the classes did on medieval Britain.
The photos are sad because we all have emotional attachments to that place, but it’s basically abandoned property, and you know what happens to that!
I was a teacher at Upwood Elementary School from 1989 until it closed in 1994. We were told that our classrooms were originally barracks for soldiers.
I loved it there! It had the feeling of a college campus, and we had little bicycles to use when we needed to go quickly from one building to another. I also remember there being a lot of wind – we once had to use buses to get the students over to the school cafeteria, because they were so small they would be blown away!
My 4th grade class invited John Major to come and talk to our class one year. I remember trying to deliver the letter personally to his home in Great Stukely, and being told by a very polite policeman that he would deliver it for me. He did just that, and although the Prime Minister declined our invitation, Mrs. Norma Major did come!
I always thought it was a great experience for children to be in a place with so much wide open space. We went on lots of walks, used the track, and had several glider demonstrations.
I think the picture you see in one of the photos is from a unit the classes did on medieval Britain.
The photos are sad because we all have emotional attachments to that place, but it’s basically abandoned property, and you know what happens to that!
Hello Mrs. Rakestraw. I was a student of yours when I was there and just wanted to say hello!
Ryan
I attended USAF Leadeship school at Upwood in 1986 and my last assignment was working in the USAF clinic there from 1998 – 2002! We miss it terribly and still have many, many friends there! Favorite place was the Cross Keys, where we had many pint and good meal!
As my wife is from Oxfordshire, I am sure we will be back again for a visit! BTW , we lived at 33 Valiant Square and my daughter and son went to the villiage school!!!
Hi after finding this site unexpectedly, we are upset to hear that maybe this will all be used for housing, what a disaster that will be. we feel that RAF Upwood deservers to be saved ,if not all then surely part of it. With the history that upwood holds its a shame that the only thing to commemerate is a small brass plack, surely we owe it to the vetrans to turn the gate house into a museam and open to public. We are both re-enactors who live local and i have lived here all my life , we go to the 1940s events and feel using the upwood 1940s event could drum up enough public interest to save if not all but part of this historic site for future generations. come on everyone get involved . good on ya sean this is a great website.
I was at Upwood on 7 sqdn from 1951 tto 1956. The Sgts mess was quite seperate from the Officers Mess. The Sgts Mess was opposite the entrance gate. Then space to Airmans Mess . Then larger space to Officers Mess
Thank you for posting these photo’s.
I have many fond memories from my early childhood, when we lived at 5 Lancaster road (between 1957 and 1960). My youngest sister was born at home there. I remember playing in the bomb shelter in the green area behing our house. Getting my hair cut by the camp barber (“short back’n sides and a bit off the top”). The cinema. Punch & Judy shows. Attending a little pre-school just across from us. The teacher used to collect all the kids by walking around the streets ringing a bell … and we’d run out to grab onto a rope she was carying (with loops for us to grip onto). We used to love it. Linda, a cute little girl who came to my 5th birthday party (in hindsight, probably My first ‘sweetheart’). Later on I would walk to my first primary school at Farm Close. Thanks again.
To see Upwood as was, watch the film Appointment in London which is sometimes shown on channel 4. The outdoor shots were all done at Upwood and the background “actors” were all RAF personnel. Three
Lancasters were used in the film. All the background aircraft are Lincolns of 7, 49, 148 or 214 squadrons which were then based there
I grew up at 14 Mosquito Rd. My family was stationed at RAF Upwood from 1987-1993. I went to Upwood Elementary for grades 1-6
My fondest memories are of this base and it saddens me to what has happened to the place I really consider to be where I grew up. I have many many fond memories of the field behind our house, of the playground at the school and watching my father fly model airplanes on the old run way.
Here’s what’s planned for the place…
http://www.rafupwoodregeneration.co.uk
Just back on checking. Surprised to see so many officers mess stewards visitng the site. As posted in 2007, my dad was an officers mess steward and was on duty when the Duchess of Gloucester visited the station in 1966. At the time the station oc was GP Capt HAF Summer. Dad left Upwood at end of the 60s and posted to Officers Mess at Leuchars. I joined the ATC in 1979 and the air commodore in charge was no other than the old Grp capt JC Hunter, ex of RAF Upwood. Dad is still alive and well. Any old officers mess steward please get in touch. My email is bigtam121@yahoo.co.uk.
Regards to all ex upwood and RAF personnel.
Tom McVie
Just researching my father-in-law’s wartime exploits, and typing up some letters sent from Upwood in about 1940. I believe he did his training there and comments on the good food and helping with the sugar-beet crop for a local farmer for the price of a beer aty th local pub. My son has atribute site to which we will attach his letters soon.
They reveal very human details of the war for him and his wife, son and his own brothers who were in the Army & Marines through the war.
Any other info on this base welcome to incorporate into the family history.
We must not forget.
I called in to Upwood today (20th Aug) to take a few photo’s for the family history file and to see if there was any trace or a memorial to the Pathfinders of 156 sq. My uncle F/O H F Taylor was a pilot based here in 1944/45, although he flew under the name of Benson (mystery).
He took off from Upwood at 06.38 on the 31st March 1945 for Hamburg, the last big offensive operation for 156sq but his was one of two Upwood Lancasters that failed to return and he now lies with his crew in a German cemetery, a victim of the new jet fighters used at the end of the war.
There is a lot of history here which must not be forgotten.
i really cant believe what has happened to upwood i use to go to school there roughly about 15 -16 yrs ago im 25yrs old now, and hi mrs.Rakestraw i remember you but i dont think i ever had you as my teacher i think you had my big brother shawn coon. so any memories of this place i use to hate walking around the buildings by myself as i was scared lol i know there are spirits there this may sound silly but i use to talk to one in the girls toilets, but at the same time there was so much to see in and around the buildings.if anyone was at school the same time as me n is 25 now pls contact me i wld like to find old friends eg. jenna fleck, sarah naoughton? sorry dont no how to spell lst name,angela gunzoliz sorry another name i cant spell hopefully you will no who i am talking about theres so many people but cant think of names.
I went to Upwood Elementary for the 4th grade during the 92-93 school year. Had many great memories there. Unfortunately I do not recognize Mrs. Rakestraw’s or Kelly Coon’s names, even though we were there at the same time. Sadly, I can’t even remember my teacher’s name. I just remember she was hispanic, and she looked rather attractive for her age.
I do remember that I had a huge crush on a girl named Shasta in my class. I was always too shy to talk to her though. She had an older sister that was in the 5th grade (i think) that could some how recognize my feelings for Shasta, and one day, at a school dance (in the cafeteria building), she coerced us to slow dance to Whitney Houston’s “I will always love you”. It was the first time I ever danced with a girl…and it was obviously memorable. I was probably the happiest little kid there…..but sadly, I was still too shy to talk to her much after that.
Like a lot of thing today in this country we don’t preserve parts of our heritage and history. Just another old airfield left to wither away without any thoughts of the past. What a shame!!!!
I made a personal visit to Upwood on 4 Oct 09. To allow perfectly good buildings to be ruined is awful. I lived at 16 Lincoln, and attended NCO Leadership School at Upwood. I did some recon and found where the school was – it was hard to remember at first, but it came back to me. A gent who was there told how they had just finished putting double-glazed windows on all the buildings, and then it was abandoned. Not a pane of glass has survived. The people who vandalized the place are just scum of the earth.
We lived in Valiant Square and I went to elementary school in the years 91-94.
Guys, please be aware that the fallen ceiling tiles from the various suspended ceilings look suspiciously like asbestos. Not sure, but err on the side of caution. My daughter and I were taking photographs there today for her A level portfolio.Amazing place, quite unique. Find myself wanting to go back for some reason. Not enough deserted places on this busy island these days..