RAF West Beckham

Infobox Military Unit
unit_name= Royal Air Force Station West Beckham


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dates= 1938–1958
country= United Kingdom
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branch= Royal Air Force
type= Radar station
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colors_label= Royal Air Force Ensign
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RAF West Beckham a former Chain Home Radar base located in Norfolk, England. RAF West Beckham opened in 1938 and closed in 1958.

Facility

RAF West Beckham was located between the towns of Sheringham and Holt in Norfolk, England. The base was large and included a transmitter site, receiver site, generator site, underground rooms as well as two camps for based personnel to live in.

History

During World War II, several WAAFs were based here and the 'Marl Pit WAAF camp' located in nearby Lower Bodham is well known to the local population.

The base Commander during World War II was a famous dance band leader from London called Marius B. Winter. He was born in 1898 and died in 1956. His was the first dance band to play live on the radio anywhere in the world. During the 1920s and 1930s he was very famous.Fact|date=October 2008 Some of his videos can be found on YouTube and other sites. Due to his background in the entertainment industry he was able to get good people in to entertain the people at the camp. Every Sunday night, a dance would be held which was popular with the RAF, Army and locals alike.

During the war shift changes at RAF West Beckham were at 8am, 1pm and 6pm.

After World War II when staffing had not been an issue, the base was wound down. During the war the base had large ammounts of security including Royal Norfolk Regiment troops. After the war just a handful of Military Police were considered enough.

Arthur C. Clarke served at the base while doing National Service.Fact|date=October 2008

The last base Commander was Group Captain Jones who was in Command from 1954 to 1958.

The base had close links with local fighter station RAF Matlaske.

RAF West Beckham was under overall control of the Coltishall sector. Daily trips to RAF Coltishall were made for supplies.

There were four metal transmitter pylons which were convert|360|ft|m high and four wooden receiver pylons which were convert|260|ft|m|abbr=on high. The pylons were taken down in the early 1960s.

Remains

The base fence lasted until the the early 1980s by when it had almost rusted away.

Today the base is in private ownership. Many buildings remain.

References