Royal Air Force Greatworth

I am afraid I havn't got a better photo. this was a small print given to me by one of my watch. It is very grainy and will not benefit from much enlargement. The site was not very different from that desribed by Derrek 5 years later. The only difference is that there was no cabin in the hall, just a desk from all operations were carried out. This can just be seen in  the photo. The switchboard, telephones, AR88 receiver, and BC221 were all sited there and of course the log book where all activity had to be recorded and signed by the watch supervisor. We also used a bank of Robertson lamps for warmth on  cold nights. I can't remember how they were powered, but I don't think it was from a transmitter.

As watch keepers we were free to come and go as we pleased, not having to book in or out. This usually meant cycling the 6 or so miles to Banbury. The ride back was hard work up the long hill. There was, of course the village inn. At this time getting a pint was a very slow process as the old lady who stood behind a hatch had to go down to the cellar with one glass at a time this took about 10 minutes. So there was not much chance of drinking too much!

There were occaisional dance held in the canteen and the 15 cwt would trawl the local villages for young ladies. We also were sometimes invited to other stations to dances, Edge Hill being one I remember.

The NAAFI was just a large cupboard which openned each evening for 1/2 an hour.

There was another smaller transmitting station at Weyhill near Andover. I was sent there for about 2 weeks as C/O between postings. There was one 1509 used for Penton Mewsey DF.

 This was the height of luxury as I had en-suit accomodation and 2 A/C's to do all the domestic work including cooking.

Regarding the date of the original buildings, There are 3 references in the National Archives at Kew as follows:-

Air 2/4847 relating to the provision of 'K' buildings at Greatworth and Dagnall dated 1940

Air 2/2752 refers to the transfer of Greenford W/T to Dagnall W/T station. dated 1935-1941

Air 2/5856 relates to extentions to both Greatworth and Dagnall dated 1944-1948

These can be viewed at Kew by appointment or bought on line probably at great cost.

There is a reference in flight Nov 1959 to the establishment of RAF Stanbridge in1937.  There must have been a transmitter station as well, I suspect this was Dagnall since this is close to Stanbridge. Greatworth was probably built later in response to an increased demand for communications due to the war.