RAF Balderton : Remembering airfield's international history

A reunion has been held to remember the history of RAF Balderton, where Servicemen from all over the world were based during and after the second world war.

The event celebrated the international element to the airfield, which was open from 1941 to 1954.

The reunion at Newark Air Museum included the planting of a commemorative tree and installation of a memorial plaque in honour of those with connections to RAF Balderton who died during the conflict.

British, Canadian and American units were based at RAF Balderton, which was used primarily as a troop carrier transport airfield in the second world war and also by Bomber Command in 1944.

During the airfield’s short operational life more than 200 aircrew failed to return

It was also used by the specialist Rolls-Royce trials unit that was involved in development testing of early British jet engine technologies.

Around 100 people attended the reunion, including veterans, relatives of those who have since died, and members of the public.

A special cake was cut before the crimson king maple tree and plaque were placed in the museum’s memorial gardens.

Mr Howard Heeley, a trustee at the air museum, said: “During the second world war this part of the East Midlands, including RAF Balderton, had hundreds of thousands of people serving from all over the world.

“It was truly an international picture, so the real significance of the day was to recognise and maintain the connections and remember the work people from many nations did here.”

'It was life or death any time you flew'

Mr Heeley said the crimson king maple tree was chosen because one of the first units at the airfield was 408 (Goose) Squadron, of the Royal Canadian Air Force. The memorial plaque — made from concrete from the runway at the airfield — was laid in front of the tree.

Mr Heeley said: “My late father, Eric, lived near the airfield while it was operational and I grew up with stories about the planes and soldiers there.

“It was great to see veterans who were based there and tie their stories in with what my father told me.”

One of three veterans who attended was former warrant officer Mr Ken Fawcett, 93, an air gunner with the RAF’s 227 Squadron.

He said: “It was a good day and excellent to take a trip back into my youth. I had not been back since I left in 1945.

“I was stationed at the airfield for six months during the war, which was a very high tension period of my life. It was life or death any time you flew, but you could not brood on that.

“I was always convinced it would not be me and, luckily, it was not. You lived day-to-day.

“If we were not nominated for flying on any particular day, we would go into Newark town or do something as a day of relaxation before flying on an operation again the next day.”

Mr Fawcett visited the site of the old airfield.

“When you get to my age it is nice to go back to places to look back and reminisce on times long past,” he said.

A book, written by museum trustee Mr Colin Savill, was launched at the event.

Station Of Nations — The History Of RAF Balderton — is the first comprehensive history of the airfield to be published. It is a detailed story of RAF Balderton, from its beginnings to its demise.

There are 298 pages and more than 200 images — black and white and colour photographs, maps, document copies and illustrations.

The book includes a foreword by former flight engineer Mr Maurice ‘Bill’ Bailey, who served at Balderton with 227 Squadron.

Mr Bailey was at the event with Mr James Flowers, a rear gunner with 50 Squadron.

Mr Savill, of Tuxford, who signed copies of the book with veterans, said: “It was very well received. The book took around 2½ years to complete with the help of fellow members of the RAF Balderton Research Group and contributors from around the world, many of whom sent unpublished stories of their family members.

“The airfield is today a largely forgotten place, even by those people living in the area.
“It is important to remember those who served there, especially those who made the ultimate sacrifice and did not return.”

- Station Of Nations — The History Of RAF Balderton can be bought from the museum shop at £17.