RAF Padgate

Some information from Wikipedia

During World War II, Padgate had a small RAF base which provided basic training for air force recruits. It opened in April 1939. This type of base was described as a recruitment training camp. This RAF station will be well-remembered by thousands of young men who were selected for RAF National Service, and on this site received their first taste of military discipline, ill-fitting uniforms and a severe haircut.

The site of the RAF base is now a housing estate, bordering Cinnamon Brow. In the centre of Padgate, next to the train line, is a large area of land and playing fields known as Bennett’s Recreation Ground or simply Bennett’s Rec. A rifle range and part of the running track are still visible on the site. It is the home of the Woolston Rovers rugby league side. Vulcan Close, Valiant Close, Anson Close, Harrier Road, Viscount Road, Blenheim Close, Lancaster Close and Wellington Close are just some of the street names in the Blackbrook area of the town which are named after aeroplanes used in the war. Padgate Community High School is on this land.

The university campus in nearby Fearnhead, affiliated to the University of Chester, was used as a camp for Canadian servicemen (called Canada Hall) during the Second World War, before becoming a teacher training college in 1946. This was used to house some of the servicemen stationed at Burtonwood. Around 4,000 personnel were stationed at RAF Padgate during its lifetime.

Famous Boxer Freddie Mills was stationed at RAF Padgate. He was world light heavyweight boxing champion between 1948 and 1950. Also did Hughie Green, the man in charge of TV talent show Opportunity Knocks and Bob Monkhouse (comedian, presenter, actor and cartoonist), who also presented Opportunity Knocks, but in the 1990s. Other entertainers to complete their training there include Rolling Stones musician Bill Wyman, Ronnie Corbett of The Two Ronnies, Sir Bruce Forsyth, comedy writer and actor Jimmy Edwards and Sir Jimmy Young. George Formby entertained the troops there and also lived in Stockton Heath. He is buried in Warrington cemetery.

I can’t remember where this plan originated. I believe it to be from Warrington Worldwide Forum but can’t see it on there now to ask for permission to use it or to give credit. Please get in touch so I can put that right. Of course, I will remove it if not permissible.

Reader Memories

Richard Sherratt writes of his mum’s memories of RAF Padgate and Burtonwood.

A couple of years ago, my mum Jean (Barbara) Jacks – now known as Barbara Bartram – started writing notes about her life. She wrote it over a number of months and the following is an extract that relates to the time she was in Warrington.

Because of the way dad treated us mum was afraid to let me stay with him after she had died so she had arranged for me to go to live at Padgate in Warrington with her sister Lucy and my lovely uncle Jim. So began a new chapter in my life at Queens Avenue, Padgate.

Uncle Jim who was very kind and loving. Aunt Lucy was not. I was just 17 at the time. At first I was very shy as a youngster from a small village but I soon got over that. I met a young airman from Selby (Douglas) and thought I was in love but he was posted to Somerset so that soon ended.

Aunt Lucy soon found me a job in the civilian post office on the RAF camp in 1942, about a half hour walk from where we lived. I loved it because I had got used to the wolf whistles every time I went through the gates. I soon forgot my shyness as my friend Winnie and I were the only two civilians allowed to go to the camp dances so we had a great time, so many partners. We were in great demand and had a wonderful Time. I loved dancing (still do).

Apart from the usual stamps, etc. sold in the post office, we always sold lots of brown paper and string, which was for the boys to pack up their dirty washing to send home for their mothers to wash. We used to laugh at the new intake coming through the gates. A very bedraggled lot carrying their suitcases and trying to keep in step. It was quite a different story a few weeks later at their passing out parade with the band playing the RAF March Past, uniforms spick and span and all keeping in step. We felt so proud of them.

I then decided to join the fire service. I was stationed at Crewe and other parts of Cheshire. We girls were in the control room working on a big PBX exchange, not fighting fires. but I loved it except for the night shift.

I was in Warrington when the first Americans came to oversee the camp at Burtonwood. They used to strut about with their spurs on like cowboys – stupid lot! Later on when the airmen came they used to send trucks for us to go to their dances. It was all very proper. I met a lovely man, Harry Pentecost (Penny) who was having trouble getting his English money sorted out. This was when I was taken to the Midland Hotel in Manchester for dinner, never having been to such a place. I must have been so awkward, but I would love it now. We used to go dancing in Liverpool and Manchester. Aunt Lucy liked him because he always brought us lots of food we couldn’t get. I nearly ended up as a GI bride but I knew it wasn’t really for me.

When my RAF boyfriend turned up again it was my excuse to end it. He took me to stay at his home in Selby, a big family of two brothers and two sisters who all made me so welcome as I had never had a family before. I got a bit carried away I think because we got engaged; his mother came with us to buy the ring. She was so good to me. We were going to get married in Selby Abbey – a beautiful place – then Aunt Lucy decided we were going back to live in Leek, as that was where she had come from before the war.

Many thanks Richard and your mum for sharing your memories

David Cherry from Australia writes of his childhood memories of RAF Padgate.

I have been taking a trip down memory lane. I was born in Latchford (at home – my grandparents home actually) in 1955. My family emigrated to Australia in 1969, and I have never been back. My parents first home was in Padgate (where I went to primary school) and then we moved to Paddington.

I can remember as a child (11 to 13 year old I think) going to a disused military base (army) [RAF Padgate] to play with my brother and friend. If I remember right we used to go up Padgate Lane, passing Padgate Primary School (my old school), to reach the ‘base’. The base was definitely not used, mostly derelict, with every window smashed, I think. I remember there was a huge blackberry bush growing in the grounds and we pigged out on blackberries from it.

Also from Australia, Cyril writes:

In September 1943, at the age of 18, my parents waved me “goodbye” from Irlam Station on my short journey to RAF Padgate, having volunteered for aircrew operations.

I can remember very little of the RAF Padgate itself just outside Warrington, as it was purely an aircrew receiving centre where we were interviewed for suitability for aircrew position, i.e. be it PNB (pilot, navigator, or bomb aimer) or wireless operator/air gunner, or purely an air gunner.

After arriving at Bank Quay Station in Warrington, I found myself with my little suitcase gathering up with a crowd of young men, also with their sole belongings, and being hustled into awaiting transport, then in no time at all, marching through the camp gates.

After several postings in the UK and Middle East, I was finally posted back to RAF Burtonwood, which had then been returned from U.S.A. control. I spent my last couple of months of RAF service in the accounts section there before de-mobilised back into Civvy St.

If you have memories or your own photos of RAF Padgate that you would like to share then please get in touch.

Reader Memories

Further Reading