RAF Spitalgate facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
RAF Spitalgate
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Westland Lysander Mark I of No. 5 Group Communications Flight at RAF Spitalgate
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| Summary | |
| Airport type | Military |
| Owner | Air Ministry |
| Operator | Royal Flying Corps, Royal Air Force |
| Location | Grantham, Lincolnshire, England |
| Elevation AMSL | 415 ft / 126 m |
| Coordinates | 52°54′05″N 000°36′15″W / 52.90139°N 0.60417°W |
| Map | |
 RAF Spitalgate
Location in Lincolnshire
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Originally named RFC Grantham and later RAF Grantham. Decommissioned and closed in 1976.
Flying training establishment and Flying Training Command. |
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RAF Spitalgate was an important air base for the Royal Flying Corps and later the Royal Air Force. It was located about 2 miles (3.2 km) south-east of Grantham, in Lincolnshire, England. This base was also known as RFC Grantham and RAF Grantham in the past.
Contents
History of RAF Spitalgate
Early Years and Training (1915-1938)
The air base first opened in 1915. It was called Royal Flying Corps Station Grantham. On April 1, 1918, it became RAF Grantham. This name stayed until 1942, when it was renamed RAF Spitalgate.
During the First World War, the base mainly focused on training pilots. Many different squadrons, including Canadian and United States Army Air Service groups, came here to learn to fly.
Flying training continued at RAF Grantham between the two World Wars. In 1926, a major group called No. 3 Group RAF was changed into No. 23 (Training) Group at Spitalgate. The base was later put into "care and maintenance" in 1938. This means it was temporarily closed down and kept ready for future use.
World War II and Beyond (1938-1976)
RAF Spitalgate reopened in July 1938. No. 12 Flying Training School RAF moved in that December. It might have also used a nearby satellite base at RAF Harlaxton for extra training.
It's important not to confuse RAF Spitalgate with the headquarters of No. 5 Group RAF. That HQ was in a large house in Grantham called St Vincents Hall. In November 1943, parts of the United States Army Air Force's IX Troop Carrier Command also moved to RAF Spitalgate. Their main office was at St. Vincents.
The base was also a training and departure point for the Polish 1st Independent Parachute Brigade. This was before their mission during Operation Market Garden in World War II.
In the 1950s, RAF Spitalgate became a training center for future officers. Later, it was home to the Women's Royal Air Force (WRAF) Depot. This was where all non-commissioned women joining the RAF were recruited and trained. This depot later moved to other bases. The Central Gliding School was also at Spitalgate until 1975.
RAF Spitalgate also served as a main base for a smaller landing field at RAF Harlaxton. This was used from 1916 until 1945.
In 1975, the RAF left the site. The next year, in 1976, it became a British Army base. It was renamed Prince William of Gloucester Barracks.
Leaders of the Base
Here are some of the people who were in charge of the base over the years:
- Wing Commander George Reid (1925 to 1927)
- Group Officer Betty Parker (1962 to 1964)
- Group Officer Kay Bright (1964 to 1966)
- Felicity Hill (1960 to 1962)
- Joy Tamblin (1971 to 1974)
