RAF Warmwell

RAF Warmwell History

RAF Woodsford was opened in the spring of 1937 as a training station and was later renamed RAF Warmwell to avoid confusion with the Avro factory airfield at Woodford near Manchester.

By July 1940 Fighter Command considered that construction work at Warmwell was advanced enough to sustain fighter operations. RAF Warmwell was used as a forward airfield and was close enough to offer protection to Portland Naval Base.

152 and 609 Squadrons were the principal squadrons flying Spitfires from the airfield during the Battle of Britain, but many other squadrons visited the airfield over its operational life. They flew a variety of aircraft including Hurricanes, Whirlwinds, Walruses and Typhoons. The Spitfire suspended from the ceiling of the Science Museum in London was stationed at RAF Warmwell.

The airfield covered a vast area to the extent that personnel were issued with bicycles. The WAAFs were responsible for maintaining the bikes, and the MT section was highly respected because they ensured personnel could travel from their billets. These billets were usually large houses in the surrounding area that had been commandeered for wartime use, such as Woodsford House, Moreton House, Conygar House at Broadmayne, or Lewell Mill. These places allowed personnel to get away from the airfield when off duty.

In March 1944 the 474th Fighter Group arrived at RAF Warmwell from America. RAF Warmwell became designated by the Americans as Station 454 USAAF Moreton, and P-38 Lightnings were deployed there as part of Dorset’s only fighter base until 5 August 1944.

RAF Warmwell’s active life as an airfield came to an end during 1945. It was finally used as a demobilisation centre and later as a reception centre for RAF families who had been trapped abroad during the previous years of hostilities.

Among the notable personnel stationed at Warmwell was the late Frank Muir.

Much of the airfield has now been lost to quarrying and construction. The village of Crossways now exists on the site of the airfield, and little trace of the wartime years remains.

The control tower is now a private residence on the Dorchester Road, where two dispersal areas are gradually being reclaimed by nature.

The old cinema building is now Crossways Village Hall. To commemorate this history, the hall hosted an exhibition about RAF Warmwell on 19–20 August 2000 to mark the 60th anniversary of the Battle of Britain. As well as many photographs, several remaining veterans shared their memories with residents and relatives of those who did not return, some of whom are buried in the churchyard at the nearby village of Warmwell.

A list of the active squadrons based at RAF Warmwell is provided separately. The list does not include the training and practice squadrons that were also stationed at RAF Warmwell during this period.

The 60th Anniversary Exhibition

An exhibition was held to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Battle of Britain. It took place at Crossways Village Hall, the former cinema and gymnasium of the airfield.

The exhibition was not scheduled to open until 10:30 a.m., but by 10:15 the organisers decided to open the doors due to the growing crowd. By 11:00 a.m. the hall was already very busy. The Crossways Scout Group opened a small “NAAFI” refreshment stand in front of the exhibition.

Jean and Theo Laing were the first visitors through the door. They had met at RAF Warmwell and were later married locally at Cerne Abbas. They travelled from their home in Bodmin to attend the exhibition and were photographed in front of their wedding picture displayed there.

The original Fordson towing tractor that served the airfield was displayed outside the hall. A minibus tour took visitors around what remains of the airfield and included a stop at the war graves in Warmwell Churchyard.

On Sunday 20 August 2000, a Remembrance service took place at the War Memorial in the village. Seven standards were laid, and around 200 people attended, including many veterans of RAF Warmwell.

The book RAF Warmwell – The Definitive History contains factual information along with personal reminiscences. A revised edition is now available to purchase. More information can be found at www.rafwarmwell.org.uk.

RAF Warmwell circa 1938
(The grey roads represent modern-day Crossways.)

RAF Warmwell from the skies