Nostalgic memories of Compton Bassett's local history
Share your own memories of Compton Bassett and read what others have said
For many years now, we've been inviting visitors to our web site to add their own memories to share their experiences of life as it was when the photographs in our archive were taken. From brief one-liners explaining a little bit more about the image depicted, to great, in-depth accounts of a childhood when things were rather different than today (and everything inbetween!). We've had many contributors recognising themselves or loved ones in our photographs.
Why not add your memory today and become part of our Memories Community to help others in the future delve back into their past.
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Displaying Memories 11 - 19 of 19 in total
I arrived in Compton from Yatesbury where I was far from happy, but what a difference under Miss Dixon, the manager at Compton. I met my husband there and left to get married in 1953. If any of the crew there at the time remember me, I would be very pleased to hear from them.
I came to Compton Bassett from Yatesbury where I had not been happy at all, but it was different at Compton Bassett, friendly staff and a fantastic manageress who really looked after us girls. I met my husband there and in 1953 we were married in North Wales. After his service in the RAF he joined GCHQ and we have travelled the world since, retiring in Cyprus in 1990 but staying on till 196 when we ...see more
This is not really my memory but that of my father - Mr Thomas Roy Smith, now 83 years of age - ex RAF. Born in Ramsey, Huntingdonshire
He was seving in the RAF at Compton Bassett during 1946 and we recently had one of those "sit and talk" moments where he mentioned that he had been at Compton Bassett. He gave me a copy of a photo he had with other serving members and I have a made a copy.
I downloaded ...see more
I still hear all the tales of those days from my father,who spent his holidays at Number 37 with the Offer family and was sent there during the Second World War as a child, he also knew your father Reginald .
As a child I spent my holidays in Compton Bassett, staying either on Barnetts Farm or the White Horse pub field in our caravan or in a tent at the back of 36 or in the orchard of 37, even in the 1970s and 1980s it was fun, there is something still special about the place now.
My father grew up on Compton Bassett, his name was Reginald Hooper and he lived with his parents and brothers and sisters at No 36. I remember well the stories he told me as a child about his childhood growing up in the village, his friends, how they played in the street and roamed all over the fields, sang in the church choir and went to school in the village. It all seemed so idyllic but I suppose life ...see more
Who can forget the grim start to 1947? I was one of those arriving at RAF Padgate in March when after barely 2 weeks induction we were all sent back home and the place virtually shut down. No heating, washing in ice cold water and the country in the grip of a postwar fuelless and austerity freezeup. Hence my arrival at RAF C B in May and the subsequent mindless squarebashing months as ACH/GD lasted ...see more
I was stationed at Compton Bassett from 6/10/48 until 25/1/49. I was training as a T.P.O. / Tape Relay Operator. My memories of the camp are not all that good, the most vivid memory was being paraded with the rest of the camp early one morning in November and being told by the C.O. that Princess Elizabeth had given birth to a son and we were ordered to raise our hats and give three cheers for the baby ...see more
At the age of 80, I still have nostalgic memories of Compton Bassett, of Calne, of the White Horse - both the historic site and the pub - and of the beautiful surrounding countryside that I often roamed, as a young man of 18, during my 9-month stay at No. 3 Radio School, R.A.F. Compton Bassett, where I too was trained as a W/OP & TP/OP (Telegraphist). And yes, who would ever ...see more
I cannot believe that I am the first ex "Wop/TeleOp" to stumble across this site and to pen a few words of nostalgia for the old camp and the surrounding towns. Calne in particular. The jokes we made about the bacon factory, e.g. 'Same lorry collecting from the cookhouse as brought our supplies'. Nipping thru' the hole in the fence around camp to pop along to the pub for cigarettes. ...see more