RAF Bletchley, Bucks. in The 1950s
I was stationed at Raf Bletchley 1950-1953 and wonder if anyone out there had a similar exdperience. At that time Bletchley was a signals station with most of the occupants working at RAF Stanbridge but having quarters at Bletchley. It was rather a small outfit - I worked at the Education Centre and for a short time at RAF Stanbridge. We often went into Oxford on Saturdays, and occasionally we gathered to celebrate a birthday or 'demob' at the Park Hotel. Bletchley also had its own radio station - the disc jockey was called Dixie and was 'on the air' most evenings. Just wonder if there's anyone out there who was stationed there during those years? Jean Ryder/Berry
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RE: RE: RAF Bletchley, Bucks. in The 1950s
I was at RAF Bletchley/ RAF Stanbridge from 1955 to 1957.
My working day was usually spent between the two camps.
I was an SAC Clerk Accounts and worked as bookeeper for the Sergeants Mess at Bletchley and as bookeeper for the PSI at Stanbridge as well as in Pay Accounts.
A lot of our spare time was spent with a skiffle group. We did play at some local pubs but were stopped by the CO and restricted to only playing at camp events.
We would spend some evenings at a transport cafe on the A5 near Towcester. Cheap food and a juke box.
The accounts section slept at Bletchley, then for about 3 months we were moved to the luxury of Stanbridge. Then they decided to move us back to Bletchley again.
What a weird situation it was at Bletchley- doing guard duty during the night but with young mothers and their children walking through the camp in the morning to go to school.
Comment from John Dinning on Friday, 12th March 2010.
RE: RE: RAF Bletchley, Bucks. in The 1950s
I was at RAF Bletchley from August 1949 to September as a National Service RAF policeman. In Feb. 1950 I was detached to RAF Chicksands, one of Bletchley's three outstations, for a month where all personnel - all 26 of us from the CO down - were accommodated in the haunted Chicksands Priory. I then returned to Bletchley. Then in June 1950 I was posted to RAF Stanbridge for the rest of my National Service. I very well remember the Radio Station at Bletchley('Put another nickel in' - Teresa Brewer and 'Come along a my house' - Nellie Lutcher). I re-enlisted into the RAF in April 1951 and requested a posting to Bletchley. Of course I didn't get it but I went on to spend many happy years in the Royal Air Force. But I have to say, Bletchley holds a very special place in my heart for many reasons.
Comment from Alan Cross on Sunday, 18th April 2010.
RE: RE: RAF Bletchley, Bucks. in The 1950s
Jean Ryder.
Since I now live in Fort Worth, Texas. am unfortunately out of touch of many areas in England - one being Bletchley. Would like to know if the Park Hotel still exists - it was a favourite location for many 'demob' parties in the 1950/60's. Thanks.
Comment from Name withheld on Monday, 19th April 2010.
RE: RE: RAF Bletchley, Bucks. in The 1950s
I was billeted at RAF Bletchley in 1954-55 and worked at No.869 Signals Unit located on the hill overlooking RAF Stanbridge. We travelled daily between the two stations in the unit's Standard Vanguard pick-up (with canvas tilt).
I had a couple of days a week off to go to Luton College to improve my education.
I remember St. Mary's Church at Bletchley and there was a church or village hall there where I learnt to dance - met up with a nice girl called Joyce Healey who lived close by, although because I was not going to be at the station much longer, the relationship ended. I often wonder what happened to Joyce.
Some of my unit colleagues: Ralph Hodgson, Mac McKillop, and others whose names slip me now, often went to the Chequers Inn at Stoney Stratford on the A5, well before Milton Keynes gobbled up the area.
Strangely, I can now find no reference to 869 Signals Unit anywhere on the internet, so if anyone was on that unit, I would love to hear from you.
Best wishes to all ex-Bletchley colleagues.
Tony Henson (now 76)
Comment from Anthony (Tony) Henson on Friday, 23rd September 2011.
RE: RE: RAF Bletchley, Bucks. in The 1950s
My school, Wilton, was built on the RAF site and there was still Nissen Huts there when I started in 1956.
Comment from Jose Mabbutt on Monday, 21st May 2012.