Royal Air Force Bircham Newton
RAF Bircham Newton was situated 8 miles W of Fakenham in Norfolk and opened in 1916 as a Royal Flying Corps tighter training school. In 1918
166 (Bomber) Sqn was formed and equipped with long range bombers intended to attack Berlin. Ultimately no live operations were flown although
effectively, Bomber Command was effectively born there. Bircham Newton became a heavy bomber station in 1923 but in August 1936, it was
rebuilt and was transferred from Bomber to Coastal Command. Between 1939 and 45, the station was used for convoy protection, reconnaissance,
anti-shipping and U-Boat patrols. From 1945 to 48, it became home to the Air Beam Training Flight and Transport Conversion Unit, transferring to
Technical Training Command in 1948 unti1 its closure in December 1962. The station was then returned to agricultural use and today is home to
the National Construction College.
AATS moved from Hereford to Bircham in January 1959, the first entry to pass out being the 32nd at the end of March that year. The 36th to 46th
Entries commenced their training at Bircham Newton but the 43rd En try however, was the last entry to complete its training there. The 44th, 45th
and 46th entries were re-located to RAF Hereford in January 1963 - passing out in mixed flights of BEs and Apps together which was odd.
Bircham closed on the18th December 1962 with a Ceremony of Beating Retreat which coincided with the graduation parade of the 43rd Entry. The
station did remain open as a storage facility for USAF for a few months and in 1965 was used briefly for trials of the Kestrel by the Tripartite
Evaluation Unit based at West Raynham. The station was sold by public auction on 27 Novemeber 1964 at the Dukes Head Hotel in Kings Lynn
There are numerous tales of ghosts at Bircham, particularly those haunting the squash courts. Also there are some who believe that the odd ghost
or two of aircrew killed flying from the airfield still haunt the place. This is interesting stuff and if any ex-admin apprentice who served at Bircham
or anywhere else who has ghost story to tell then do let us know!
166 (Bomber) Sqn was formed and equipped with long range bombers intended to attack Berlin. Ultimately no live operations were flown although
effectively, Bomber Command was effectively born there. Bircham Newton became a heavy bomber station in 1923 but in August 1936, it was
rebuilt and was transferred from Bomber to Coastal Command. Between 1939 and 45, the station was used for convoy protection, reconnaissance,
anti-shipping and U-Boat patrols. From 1945 to 48, it became home to the Air Beam Training Flight and Transport Conversion Unit, transferring to
Technical Training Command in 1948 unti1 its closure in December 1962. The station was then returned to agricultural use and today is home to
the National Construction College.
AATS moved from Hereford to Bircham in January 1959, the first entry to pass out being the 32nd at the end of March that year. The 36th to 46th
Entries commenced their training at Bircham Newton but the 43rd En try however, was the last entry to complete its training there. The 44th, 45th
and 46th entries were re-located to RAF Hereford in January 1963 - passing out in mixed flights of BEs and Apps together which was odd.
Bircham closed on the18th December 1962 with a Ceremony of Beating Retreat which coincided with the graduation parade of the 43rd Entry. The
station did remain open as a storage facility for USAF for a few months and in 1965 was used briefly for trials of the Kestrel by the Tripartite
Evaluation Unit based at West Raynham. The station was sold by public auction on 27 Novemeber 1964 at the Dukes Head Hotel in Kings Lynn
There are numerous tales of ghosts at Bircham, particularly those haunting the squash courts. Also there are some who believe that the odd ghost
or two of aircrew killed flying from the airfield still haunt the place. This is interesting stuff and if any ex-admin apprentice who served at Bircham
or anywhere else who has ghost story to tell then do let us know!
 |  |  |  |
| My Thanks To Barrie Loftus (41st Entry) For Allowing Me To Display These Pictures Of Bircham Newton |
| The Heritage Room |
Heritage Room Are Those For Entries 32-46. The 36th to 46th Entries Commenced Their Training At Bircham Newton But The 43rd Entry Was The Last Entry To Complete It's Training There. The 44th, 45th and 46th Entries Were Re- located To RAF Hereford In January 1963,Following The Closure Of Bircham Newton In December 1962. Photo Courtesy Of John Nash |
| An Aerial View Of Bircham Newton |
| RAF Bircham Newton Sale Notice |
- ROYAL AIR FORCE BIRCHAM NEWTON HERITAGE ROOM AND MEMORIAL TO THOSE WHO SERVED THERE FROM 1918-
1962
Under the guidance of its first Chairman, Neil Grant, and two other trustees, David Jacklin, the present Chairman and Secretary and Brian Hall, the
project was launched in April 2005 and registered as a charity. The Chairman and trustees had all served in the Royal Air Force. Three new
trustees also have Royal Air Force connections. The patrons are Marshal of the Royal Air Force, Sir Michael Beetham, a former Chief of the Air
Staff, and Sir Michael Oswald, currently Honorary Air Commodore of No 2620 Squadron, Royal Auxiliary Air Force Regiment.
The aims of the project are to commemorate the distinguished history of Royal Air Force Bircham Newton and its satellite airfields. The
Construction Industry Training Board, now known as Construction Skills, generously provided accommodation within the National Construction
College, and a Heritage Room was established, displaying archive material in the form of stories, memorabilia, photographs, maps and drawings
from Bircham Newton's past.
Two permanent stone memorials have also been erected and dedicated to those who served at Bircham Newton and the main satellite airfield at
nearby Docking.
Several illustrated talks about the project and the history of the airfields have been given to clubs and other interested parties around East Anglia.
Such talks can be arranged upon request and in return for a small project donation.
The project maintains a website, which can be accessed at www.rafbnmp.org.uk .
David Jacklin has produced a number of books relating to local airfields: “Whin Close Warriors”, about the WWI aerodrome at Sedgeford; “Up in all
Weather”, about the WW2 satellite airfield at Docking; and several others relating to Bircham Newton. These are on sale in the Heritage Room. All
profits from these book sales are donated to the project. Books can also be obtained from David directly. He can be contacted on 01379 741884
or by e-mail at djacklin@aol.com . Alternatively, you may write to him at
2 Fairways, Stuston, Diss, Norfolk IP21 4AB. He is also the contact for talks.
OPEN DAYS 2012
OPEN DAYS 2012
Sunday 8th April
Monday 9th April
Sunday 6th May
Monday 7th May
Sunday 27th May
Sunday 24th June
Sunday 29th July
Sunday 26th August
Monday 27th August
Sunday 30th September
(Combined with a 50th Anniversary Celebration)
- Open 11 am to 5 pm
Venue:-
The National Construction College
Bircham Newton NW Norfolk
Signposted off the A148 and B1454
Come and discover the fascinating history of this former Royal Air Force station
and its satellite airfields.
Admission FREE!!!!!!!
For more information visit our website www.rafbnmp.org.uk
Administrator Note July 2011: Avril MacArthur is a trustee and assistant curator at the museum. Her late father FS Christopher Bush was an ex-
Apprentice Clerk (51st Entry) at RAF Ruislip. He served at Bircham Newton from 1947 until 1949. Avril has kindly provided me with a series of
images in relation to her father and these are shown on the Ruislip page of the site. To view these pictures and an account of her father's career
click here
- Letter Of Appreciation - RAF Heritage Room Bircham Newton
On 21 Sept 2011 The Association has received a letter of appreciation from David Jacklin, Chairman of Trustees RAF Bircham Newton Memorial
Project, to thank us for our generous and ongoing support of their project. The letter highlights donations of apprentice memorabilia by our
members including a complete set of entry shields (32nd to 46th Entries), a collection of historical records, several AATS magazines, a large wall
display (a collage of photographs) illustrating apprentice activities and the funding of the apprentice booklets - these have all been well received.
In his letter David said:
''These have enhanced our Heritage Room and regenerated interest in this important period of Bircham Newton's history. We have recently
enjoyed several visits by former apprentices including two large parties enjoying their combined fiftieth anniversary celebrations. Former
members of the 39th, 40th and 41st entries made a combined visit in September 2010, and former members of the 42nd, 43rd and 44th entries
visited on 7th May this year. We look forward to hosting similar visits in the future. We have also recruited a former apprentice onto our team.
John Wells (44th Entry) has volunteered to become one of our curators and is helping us in the Heritage Room during our open days''.
As you are aware, Dixie Dean (40th) is the liaison officer between our Association and the Heritage Room. If you are planning a visit to Bircham,
Dixie will be happy to assist if you wish.
- RAF Heritage Room 50th Anniversary Celebration
The open days for the RAF Heritage Room 2012 season are now available on their website www.rafbnmp.org.uk
The 50th Anniversary of the closure of RAF Bircham Newton will occur in December 2012.
The Heritage Room plans to hold a 50th Anniversary Celebration to mark this occasion as part of their last public open day this year on 30
September. It is hoped to include a Beat Retreat ceremony or some such event.
Further details will be given later in the year and these will be published in our newsletter and on this website.
The 43rd were the last Entry to pass out at Bircham which coincided with the closing ceremony on 18 December 1962. The 44th, 45th and 46th
Entries transferred to RAF Hereford to complete the remainder of their training.
| 36th Entry Pass Out |
| The Guardroom |
| 46th Entry Soccer Team 1962 |
| Royal Air Force Administrative Apprentice Association |
