RAF Compton Basset was an RAF base situated in Wiltshire, England.
First opened as an air base in World War I, like RAF Yatesbury it continued operations in the interwar years before again taking on a major role in World War 2. During the Second World War, RAF Yatesbury and RAF Compton Bassett were major Radio and Radar Training Schools, RAF Townsend a satellite landing ground and RAF Cherhill was 27 Group Headquarters Technical Training Command.
After the WW2, it became home of the Number 3 Radio School, which in the 1950’s trained later washing machine entrepreneur John Bloom, The local coach company Cards of Devizes provided contracted coaches to the RAF, which on a Saturday afternoon would take the airmen to London on their 36 hour passes. Bloom decided with a friend who ran a coach company in Stoke Newington that they could underprice the Card/RAF’s coaches. When Cards took Bloom to court, the judge upheld Bloom with a declaration that became Bloom’s motto: "It’s no sin to make a profit." Bloom was later posted to Bletchley Park and then managed to get a posting to Bush House in the Aldwych.
Forces Reunited Forum Posts involving RAF Compton Basset
" I’ve just found some documentation, and am wondering how many of you still have similar types of bits and pieces of your service days? Papers instructing me to attend a medical, dated 3rd Sept 1958. Draft Certificate, dated 10th Sept 1958. Copy of Attestation, made at RAF Cardington on 28th ..."
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" Quoting: Mike Pass Yeah! Good point......what have you got in the way of ’gizzits’ Byron???!!!!! I’ve nothing to give, Mike! We’re guided by two unwritten laws in this house: 1. Things needed by Byron, are not needed by Lynne – out they go. 2. Things to do with Byron’s ..."
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" Quoting: Byron Smith 1. Call up papers, issued by the Military Recruitment Section, Employment Exchange, Westgate St, Cardiff, dated 3/9/1958. The papers instructed me to attend a medical at the Medical Board Centre, Cathays Park, Cardiff (Since demolished and replaced with the Hilton ..."
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"In 1948 I was with a colleage during traing at RAF Compton Basset. his name is Eric Simpson RAF 4030983 Mine was 4030982. Much later I found out he was serving in Nigeria with DWS / F&CO. He s a Londoner and knew me with a nickname "Scampton" my home before joining the RAF in 1948. Anyone know him?"
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"Calling all Telephonists who served at RAF Compton Bassett 1962 (Training), RAF Cosford1962/3, RAF Ballykelly 1963/4 RAF St, Mawgan 1964, RAF Seletar 1964/6, RAF Labuan 1964/5, RAF Tai Mo Shan 1966, 65 Sqn PBX RAF Seletar 1966/7 RAF Odiham 1967/8
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