RAF Warmwell, Dorset  communal

STANDARD · Dorset · England · United Kingdom

RAF Warmwell, Dorset  communal

RAF Warmwell communal sites too the south.

The Air Ministry Board needed an aerodrome in the south of England as an Armament Practice Camp. Combined with the taking over of many acres of the Fleet (Chesil Beach) as an air and ground practice range in 1937. Named RAF Woodsford after the parish, it opened with a brass band of the RAF marching from the railway station to the camp. Part of the RAF's expansion scheme due not to the rise in Germany of Hitler but that France had more bombers than we did. Three grass runways were laid out for aircraft of the No.6 Armament Training Camp. In 1938 the mix of planes were HP Harrows, Hawker Hinds, Boulton and Paul Sidestrand & Overstrands and Hawker Henley III´s. They all had their undersides painted with black and yellow stripes to donate they were target/training aircraft. They towed aerial banners behind them as targets to train pilots and gunners to shoot at. Squadrons would fly in for summer camps to hone their bombing, air fighting skills.
RAF Warmwell communal sites too the south.
RAF Warmwell communal sites too the south.
RAF Warmwell communal sites too the south.

RAF Warmwell communal sites too the south.

 

RAF Warmwell communal sites too the south.

RAF Warmwell communal sites too the south.

Six sites plus a sewage works.
This is where the Sergeants, airmen and W.A.A.F.'s lived. The Officers lived on the main airfield site in what was the old pre war buildings. Lucky them.

D.g.of w. site plan 2382.46

W.A.A.F.'s.
W.A.A.F.'s.
US airmen.
US airmen.
RAF airmen.
RAF airmen.

RAF Warmwell communal sites too the south.

RAF Warmwell communal sites too the south.

32 - Gymnasium - 14604/40 &14606/40.
47 - Airmens Latrines - PB.

D.g.of w. site plan 2382.46

Plan.
Plan.
Airmens Latrines plan.
Airmens Latrines plan.
RAF Warmwell communal sites too the south.

RAF Warmwell communal sites too the south.

RAF Warmwell communal sites too the south.

32 - Gymnasium - 14604/40 &14606/40.
The gymnasium had a three fold use. First and foremost an indoor area where personnel could come and keep fit. Then the open space could be used for church services and this one had an attached chancel, for Church of England and Roman Catholic. The third use was purely recreation, as in. Dances, parties and films. A full cinema projection room was added to the back wall and could show service films for training and the latest Hollywood movies.

RAF Warmwell communal sites too the south.
RAF Warmwell communal sites too the south.
Church service.
Church service.

RAF Warmwell communal sites too the south.

RAF Warmwell communal sites too the south.
32 - Gymnasium - 14604/40 &14606/40. The side extension is the officers and mens changing rooms. Also a store cupboard for chairs/tables and churchy things.

Google

RAF Chaplains cap badge.
RAF Chaplains cap badge.
RAF Warmwell communal sites too the south.
RAF Warmwell communal sites too the south.

RAF Warmwell communal sites too the south.

RAF Warmwell communal sites too the south.

32 - Gymnasium - 14604/40 &14606/40.

14604/40

RAF gymnasium.
RAF gymnasium.
RAF Warmwell communal sites too the south.

RAF Warmwell communal sites too the south.

RAF Warmwell communal sites too the south.RAF Warmwell communal sites too the south.

32 - Gymnasium - 14604/40 &14606/40. Chancel end. This is a single chancel end.

When we visited Raf Macmerry in Scotland. We found all the gymnasium's roof air vents in the projection rooms, generator and switch room.

09 March 2019 - 30 September 2023

Another type of asbestos air vent.
Another type of asbestos air vent.

RAF Warmwell communal sites too the south.

RAF Warmwell communal sites too the south.
32 - Gymnasium - 14604/40 &14606/40. Cinema projection room end.

09 March 2019

RAF Warmwell communal sites too the south.

RAF Warmwell communal sites too the south.
16428/40 RAF Macmerry. The cinema projection room. After a visit to RAF Macmerry, Scotland. We managed to walk the whole Gymnasium and its two ends, projection room & chancel.

D.g.of w. site plan 2382.46

A 1912 projection room.
A 1912 projection room.
RAF gymnasium.
RAF gymnasium.
RAF Warmwell communal sites too the south.

RAF Warmwell communal sites too the south.

RAF Warmwell communal sites too the south.RAF Warmwell communal sites too the south.

This site may have been predominantly a Womens Auxiliary Air Force (W.A.A.F.) site. The guard room No2 on the small plan, is where all personnel would sign in and out of the sites. To know how many people were there in the case of a bombing attack. They would need to account for everybody. Also security. 3 & 4 were clothing stores where uniforms could be exchanged if worn out (good luck with the store man). Then the main site a Communal, meaning a site where you could eat and socialise. There was, 14 a W.A.A.F. and airmens mess. 15 a Navy Army Airforce Institute (N.A.A.F.I.) canteen. Where a cup of tea and a wad (a bun) could be purchased, listen to music, write letters and just socialise. Many a marriage made in heaven and the N.A.A.F.I. happened throughout the war. 13 a Clarification room. What was that??? 20 a bath House.32 the Gymnasium, 12 Potato Room and Cloaks. Cloaks meaning Cloak room, to hang up cloths. 11 a messing office and store, W.A.A.F. rest room, plus all the safety with 11 blast shelters and two emergancy water supplies.

Chancel end with Church of England and Roman Catholic.


D.g.of w. site plan 2382.46

Plan.
Plan.
Just off the main plan is: 2 - Guard room. Tailor & Shoemakers Shop. 3 & 4 Clothing stores.
Just off the main plan is: 2 - Guard room. Tailor & Shoemakers Shop. 3 & 4 Clothing stores.
RAF Warmwell communal sites too the south.
RAF Warmwell communal sites too the south.

RAF Warmwell communal sites too the south.

RAF Warmwell communal sites too the south.
Main entrance to No 1 site, on the right: 14 - W.A.A.F & Airmens Mess - WML1333(S.D. Drg).

09 December 2010

Main entrance..
Main entrance..
14 - W.A.A.F & Airmens Mess.
14 - W.A.A.F & Airmens Mess.
Airmens dinning room 8221/40 plan.
Airmens dinning room 8221/40 plan.
Canteen staff..
Canteen staff..
A dinning room 8221/40 on another airfield.
A dinning room 8221/40 on another airfield.
Airmens dinning room 8221/40 design RAF Honeybourne.
Airmens dinning room 8221/40 design RAF Honeybourne.

RAF Warmwell communal sites too the south.

RAF Warmwell communal sites too the south.

06 - Blast Shelter - 2360/41. For 32 men or women.

09 March 2019

Plan.
Plan.
Blast plan[2360/41].
Blast plan[2360/41].

RAF Warmwell communal sites too the south.

RAF Warmwell communal sites too the south.RAF Warmwell communal sites too the south.

5 - Water Storage Tank - 2178/41. Base of the water tower & it maybe like the one below.

This plan/elevation is a Water Storage Tank 2433/42

09 March 2019 - from an arg plan

Plan.
Plan.
Fittings in the concrete base.
Fittings in the concrete base.

RAF Warmwell communal sites too the south.

RAF Warmwell communal sites too the south.
5 - W.A.A.F. Bath House - 13970/39.

09 March 2019

Plan.
Plan.
RAF bath.
RAF bath.
RAF Warmwell communal sites too the south.

RAF Warmwell communal sites too the south.

RAF Warmwell communal sites too the south.

Drainage.
A full sewage system was in place and if some huts were not plumbed in, a septic tank or chemical buckets were used.

09 March 2019

BRITS ENGLAND AB brand.
BRITS ENGLAND AB brand.
Elsan bucket at RAF Hurn..
Elsan bucket at RAF Hurn..
Sewage works, now in the camping site...
Sewage works, now in the camping site...

RAF Warmwell communal sites too the south.

RAF Warmwell communal sites too the south.
9 - Emergency Water Tank - 4100/40 Type C.

09 March 2019

Plan
Plan
Trailer pump.
Trailer pump.
US Jeep fire tender.
US Jeep fire tender.

RAF Warmwell communal sites too the south.

RAF Warmwell communal sites too the south.

24 to 31 - Blast Shelter - 2360/41. For 32 men. Or here probably 32 women as it was mostly WAAF's that were here. So ten blast shelters equates to a minimum of 320 people that could have used this site.

10 January 2004

Plan.
Plan.

RAF Warmwell communal sites too the south.

RAF Warmwell communal sites too the south.

On the left:
15 - N.A.A.F.I. Canteen, Personnel quarters, Grocery shop & store - WML1333(S.D. Drg).
20 - Bath-house - 12970/39.
21 - Ablutions & Latrines - 12970/39.
22 - Boiler House - (Local Design).
23 - Ablutions & Latrines - 12970/39.
On the right:
24to29 Blast Shelter

details
details
15 - N.A.A.F.I. Canteen, Personnel quarters, Grocery shop & store - WML1333(S.D. Drg).
15 - N.A.A.F.I. Canteen, Personnel quarters, Grocery shop & store - WML1333(S.D. Drg).
RAF Warmwell communal sites too the south.

RAF Warmwell communal sites too the south.

RAF Warmwell communal sites too the south.
15 - N.A.A.F.I. Canteen, quarters, grocery, store - WML/1522(S.O.Drg) 4200/40 type C.

09 March 2019

Plan
Plan
RAF Warmwell communal sites too the south.

RAF Warmwell communal sites too the south.

RAF Warmwell communal sites too the south.
20 - Bath-House & Drying Room - 12970/39.

09 March 2019

Plan.
Plan.
This is a 12971/41 type of bath house plan.
This is a 12971/41 type of bath house plan.
Bath.
Bath.
Bath rooms and showers..
Bath rooms and showers..
Washing places.
Washing places.
How it may have looked.
How it may have looked.

RAF Warmwell communal sites too the south.

RAF Warmwell communal sites too the south.
Stove base.

09 March 2019

Pot bellied stove on a concrete base.
Pot bellied stove on a concrete base.

RAF Warmwell communal sites too the south.

RAF Warmwell communal sites too the south.RAF Warmwell communal sites too the south.
18 - Emergency Water Supply - 4100/40 Type C.

09 March 2019 - 19 April 2005

Plan.
Plan.

RAF Warmwell communal sites too the south.

RAF Warmwell communal sites too the south.
Blast shelter plan for 32 men [2360/41]. This could be 28, 29, 30 or 31. There are so many down here at the bottom of the site.

09 June 2011

Blast shelter plan for 32 men [2360/41].
Blast shelter plan for 32 men [2360/41].

RAF Warmwell communal sites too the south.

RAF Warmwell communal sites too the south.
The view from the public right of way.

Google

Plan.
Plan.

RAF Warmwell communal sites too the south.

 

RAF Warmwell communal sites too the south.

RAF Warmwell communal sites too the south.

140 - Sergeants Mess - WML/1235.(S.D. Drg).
141 - Rest Room - WML/1235.(S.D. Drg).
142 - Ablutions - WML/1235.(S.D. Drg).
143 - Pay Accounts - FCW/4494. to the north of the house.
144 - Blast Shelter - 2360/41.
145 - Blast Shelter - 2360/41.

D.g.of w. site plan 2382.46

Canteen staff at an airfield.
Canteen staff at an airfield.
Spud pealing.
Spud pealing.
Detail of how it may have looked.
Detail of how it may have looked.

RAF Warmwell communal sites too the south.

RAF Warmwell communal sites too the south.
All that is left at Site No 6 today, a pile of broken concrete where the Sergeants mess and two air raid shelters stood.

09 March 2019

RAF Warmwell communal sites too the south.
RAF Warmwell communal sites too the south.
RAF Warmwell communal sites too the south.

RAF Warmwell communal sites too the south.

RAF Warmwell communal sites too the south.

This site was a quarters site where there was living accommodation for Sergeants and airmen. On the plan, the longer red huts are quarters. They were 100ft x 20ft in size. The green marks are air raid shelters. Blue are emergency water supplies. Only one air raid shelter is left out of these two sites.

D.g.of w. site plan 2382.46

Plan.
Plan.
Plan.
Plan.
100' x 20' barrack huts.
100' x 20' barrack huts.

RAF Warmwell communal sites too the south.

RAF Warmwell communal sites too the south.
37 - Shelter for 25 Persons - (Girling).

09 March 2019

Plan.
Plan.
RAF Warmwell communal sites too the south.

RAF Warmwell communal sites too the south.

RAF Warmwell communal sites too the south.
37 - Shelter for 25 Persons - (Girling). A Girling shelter, very like a Stanton but more rounded at the top.

09 March 2019

Entrance.
Entrance.
RAF Warmwell communal sites too the south.

RAF Warmwell communal sites too the south.

RAF Warmwell communal sites too the south.
The left of the field was Site No2 and the right side Site No 3. As you see there is nothing left to see. The picture was taken on a guided tour that I took in 2019. Mostly Sergeant's and airmens barracks.

09 March 2019

RAF Warmwell communal sites too the south.

RAF Warmwell communal sites too the south.

Mostly Sergeant's and airman's barracks again in 100' x 18' huts. Latrines. A sewage pump house, emergency water supply and several Girling air raid shelters. 91 on the plan is the only surviving hut.

D.g.of w. site plan 2382.46

RAF Warmwell communal sites too the south.
RAF Warmwell communal sites too the south.
RAF Warmwell communal sites too the south.

RAF Warmwell communal sites too the south.

RAF Warmwell communal sites too the south.
91 - Sergeants and Airmens Ablutions - 16315/41 Type. 3.

09 March 2019

RAF Warmwell communal sites too the south.
RAF Warmwell communal sites too the south.
RAF Warmwell communal sites too the south.

RAF Warmwell communal sites too the south.

RAF Warmwell communal sites too the south.
91 - Sergeants and Airmens Ablutions - 16315/41 Type. 3. The chimney would have had a water tank in the top and a boiler and hot water tank underneath.

09 March 2019

Boiler and a hot tank.
Boiler and a hot tank.
Water tank.
Water tank.
How the water tank would have fitted in the tower.
How the water tank would have fitted in the tower.

RAF Warmwell communal sites too the south.

RAF Warmwell communal sites too the south.RAF Warmwell communal sites too the south.

91 - Sergeants and Airmens Ablutions - 16315/41 Type. 3.

Concrete wash stands and a concrete washing sink. There would have been many of these in the hut.

09 March 2019 - 10 January 2004

Top of a pot bellied stove.
Top of a pot bellied stove.
Old tail fin box.
Old tail fin box.
RAF Warmwell communal sites too the south.

RAF Warmwell communal sites too the south.

RAF Warmwell communal sites too the south.
91 - Sergeants and Airmens Ablutions - 16315/41 Type. 3.

09 March 2019

RAF Warmwell communal sites too the south.
RAF Warmwell communal sites too the south.
Concrete sinks.
Concrete sinks.

RAF Warmwell communal sites too the south.

RAF Warmwell communal sites too the south.
91 - Sergeants and Airmens Ablutions - 16315/41 Type. 3.

09 March 2019

RAF Warmwell communal sites too the south.

RAF Warmwell communal sites too the south.RAF Warmwell communal sites too the south.
91 - Sergeants and Airmens Ablutions - 16315/41 Type. 3.

09 March 2019

RAF Warmwell communal sites too the south.

RAF Warmwell communal sites too the south.
85 - Shelter For 25 Persons - (Girling). There were enough shelters for 200 persons. So that is possibly how many were on this site.

11 January 2014

RAF Warmwell communal sites too the south.

RAF Warmwell communal sites too the south.
85 - Shelter For 25 Persons - (Girling).

11 January 2014

RAF Warmwell communal sites too the south.

RAF Warmwell communal sites too the south.

85 - Shelter For 25 Persons - (Girling). Escape hatch inside.

Escape hatch outside. There would have been a hinged steel plate to close off the hole and hinged for easy opening.

11 January 2014

RAF Warmwell communal sites too the south.

RAF Warmwell communal sites too the south.

RAF Warmwell communal sites too the south.RAF Warmwell communal sites too the south.
85 - Shelter For 25 Persons - (Girling). The molded concrete escape hole.

11 January 2014

RAF Warmwell communal sites too the south.

RAF Warmwell communal sites too the south.
Unknown remains.

11 January 2014

RAF Warmwell communal sites too the south.

RAF Warmwell communal sites too the south.
93 Emergency Water Supply - 4100/40. Type. C.

09 March 2019

RAF Warmwell communal sites too the south.

RAF Warmwell communal sites too the south.
93 Emergency Water Supply - 4100/40. Type. C.

09 March 2019

RAF Warmwell communal sites too the south.

RAF Warmwell communal sites too the south.RAF Warmwell communal sites too the south.
Very much like Site No4, with was airmen & sergeants barracks in 100'x18' huts. Latrines. Several Girling air raid shelters and an emergency water supply.

D.g.of w. site plan 2382.46 - google

RAF Warmwell communal sites too the south.

RAF Warmwell communal sites too the south.
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