The 'Introduce yourself' Thread

The subject of requisition has been of great interest to me. The trouble being that extremely little documented material has been kept. It might well be worth while talking to a farming family that have had land requisitioned under the Emergency Powers Act for an airfield. They alone may be a source of relevent information, and may even still have paperwork relating to the time.

This is the book that you are seeking. Good luck in finding a copy.

It is clear that any wartime airfield construction had a direct impact on the local community but for sheer scale of impact I think that you need to look at the effect of establishing United States Army Air Force Depots such as Burtonwood (Lancashire) and Warton (Lancs).

Almost any books published by the respected aviation author Aldon Ferguson will give you a significant lead.

Hi Denis

Thanks for the tip. Have had enormous problems trying to establish local impact. I live in Peatling Parva in Leics approx 600yds from the Bruntingthorpe runway and approx 1200yds from the eastern end. It seems that no local village records exist and there appears to be nobody still alive who remembers that time. The only significant signs are the closure of a bridle road which runs across the line of the main runway and the building of a new road around the north eastern perimeter of the base (replacing the old lane which leads to the former officers accomodation). The current landowner is helpful but he only purchased the site from the MOD when the Americans moved out.

There are another 3 or 4 larger villages surrounding this airfield so perhaps using your idea, there may well be an old farming family who hav esome records or knowledge.

Thank you once again.

Dave

Thanks for this. Will contact our local library to see what they have. Is there any particular book you would recommend?

Kind regards

Dave Billington

What a Top Man!!!!!

This seems to be exactly what I'm looking for!

Have just been on to Amazon and purchased the only copy available! It's used but in good condition.

In less than 24 hours I feel as if I have turned an important corner thanks to this site. Have already had several replies, all offering great advice and also prompting new trains of thought.

Many thanks for your input.

Have another couple of questions which I will post in a while when I have answered everybody.

Hope to catch up again soon

Kind regards

Dave

Good Morning

Thanks for your reply. I know there was a bombing range close to the nearby villages of Mowsley and Saddington but I'm not sure where exactly. I think this was used by aircraft from Market Harborough and Bruntingthorpe. Do you think the local authority may have some old records?

Thanks

Dave

Really useful. Thank you. Busy day tomorrow!!!