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RAF Aldermaston
RAF Aldermaston was located 8 miles (13 km) southeast of Newbury, Berkshire, it as was opened by No. 92 Group RAF on the 1st of July 1942, and was handed over to the United States Army Air Forces in August. Aldermaston became home to the Eighth Air Force 60th Troop Carrier Group which arrived from RAF Chelveston and RAF Podington with their Flying Douglas C-47s and C-54 Skytrains. 60th TCG trained with paratroops until 6th of November when they moved to Relizane Airfield, Algeria.
On 25th of November 1942 107th Observation Squadron, 67th Observation Group arrived from RAF Membury flying A-20s, L-4s and Supermarine Spitfires until the 8th of January 1943 when they moved back to Membury. On 12th of December 24 C-47s and C-53s of the 315th Troop Carrier Group arrived from Florence Army Airfield, South Carolina via Montford Bridge Shropshire, where they had made an emergency landing. On 25th of May, twenty-one of 315th's aircraft flew to Algeria to support the invasions of Sicily and Italy. On 6th of November 1943 the remaining aircraft were reassigned to the Ninth Air Force and moved to RAF Welford. In December 1943 the 15th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, 73d Tactical Reconnaissance Group, arrived from Esler Field, Louisiana without their aircraft. They were transferred to RAF Middle Wallop. On 12th Feb 1944 370th Fighter Group arrived from Bradley Field, Connecticut, they moved to RAF Andover. 434th Troop Carrier Group arrived from RAF Fulbeck on 3rd of March 1944 and remained at Aldermaston until 12 February 1945 moving to an Advanced Landing Ground at Mourmclon-le-Grand, France. Aldermaston was returned to the Air Ministry on 15 June 1945.
After the war it was in use as a flying school, where more than 1,000 former RAF pilots retrained to fly civilian aircraft.
Units based at RAF Aldermaston:
If you can provide any additional information, please add it here.
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Those known to have served at RAF Aldermaston during the Second World War 1939-1945. The names on this list have been submitted by relatives, friends, neighbours and others who wish to remember them, if you have any names to add or any recollections or photos of those listed,
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Add a Name to this List
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Want to know more about RAF Aldermaston? There are:0 items tagged RAF Aldermaston available in our Library
These include information on officers, regimental histories, letters, diary entries, personal accounts and information about actions during the Second World War. |
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S/Sgt. George Lesmes 12th Tactical Reconaissance Squadron My grandfather, George Lesmes, served in the USAAF Staff Seargent in the 12th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron linked to 67th TRS Group and stationed here in the UK during 1942-1944. He was based at various bases throughout England during this time; Membury from Sept 1942, Aldermaston, Chilbolton, Middle Wallop left 1944 for France. I was wondering if anyone has any photographs?
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Pte. Marguerite Lois Nurse 93rd Searchlight Regiment, 301st (M) S/L Battery Royal Artillery      Greta Nurse served in the A.T.S. from May 1942 to July 1945. The initial Army training was at Aldermaston and then she was chosen to be trained to operate a searchlight. This training took place at Norton Manor Farm just outside Taunton, Somerset. She was stationed at Ponsbourne Park in Hertfordshire, C Troop, 93rd Searchlight Regiment. During an air raid by the enemy, the searchlight team had to try to find the enemy bombers and illuminate them with the searchlight. If a group of searchlights managed to light up the same plane then the guns could shoot them down.
Some diary entries for 1942:
- Friday 8th May 1942 Joined A.T.S. Went to Aldermaston for basic training.
- Wednesday 3rd June Left Aldermaston & went to Taunton, Norton Manor Barracks, for technical training. Trained as 6, 7 & 8 on searchlights.
- Friday 31st July Passing out parade. Inspection by Colonel. Very hot, took 2 hrs.
- Tuesday 25th August Had prestige march through Taunton. Had party in evening, dance after.
- Wed. 26th August Left Taunton, training finished, going to an operational site to take over from men. Going near N. London.
- Thurs. 27th August Just getting settled in. We had to scrub whole place yesterday and were out at night on exercises.
- Sun. 13th September Hostile raid, turned out about midnight.
- Sat. 26th September Exercises from 7p.m. to 3a.m. Very good, 6 engagements, 3 illuminations.
Diary entry for Tuesday 8th May 1945,
V.E. Day. War with Germany over. Ceasefire at midnight. Gave short searchlight display at 23.45. Crowds in London. Bonfires lit, bells rung etc. Tues & Weds declared public holidays. On guard.
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