Dates: 1939 - 1963
RAF Bridgnorth was a Royal Air Force Station, created on 6 November 1939, at Stanmore, to the East of Bridgnorth, Shropshire, England. However, as RAF Stanmore Park already existed in Middlesex, it was named RAF Bridgnorth. Although during its existence, various static aeroplanes were displayed as Gate Guardians, RAF Bridgnorth never had a runway.
The first unit stationed there was No.4 Recruit Centre. Their role was to carry out the basic training of new recruits in the RAF. In 1940 spare accommodation at Bridgnorth enabled it to be used as a transit and kitting out centre for troops returning from France. In 1941 the Station was renamed No.1 Women’s Auxiliary Air Force Depot involved with the training of W.A.A.F. recruits. 1942 saw another change of name to the No.1 Elementary Air Navigation School. Other changes subsequent took place as dictated by the needs of the war effort.
Only after the war ended in 1945 could the Station revert to its original task of providing basic training to recruits, as the No.7 School of Recruit Training. It retained that name until closure in 1963. The unit badge carries the motto “This is the gate, the walls are men.”
On Armistice Sunday 6 November 1949, a massed parade of 3,400 men supported the Mayor of Bridgnorth. In April 1950 the Borough of Bridgnorth granted RAF Bridgnorth the Freedom of Entry to the town. It was the first RAF Station to be granted Freedom of Entry in the U.K. On 7 June 1951, RAF Bridgnorth exercised it’s right for the first time* to march through the town, via the North Gate, with bayonets fixed, drums beating and colours flying. A Lancaster flew overhead. That was only possible after the RAF Service had received the Kings Colours on 26 May 1951.
Tens of thousands of recruits passed through Bridgnorth for their initial eight weeks training or ‘square bashing’ as it was called. Very few remained unaffected by the experience and many, even sixty years later, remember it well. For many it was their first time away from home and it became their first step into the wide world. Former recruits and Permanent Staff are now found scattered throughout the world.
The Station closed down on Friday 8 February 1963. A Commemorative plaque was unveiled on the former ’3’ Wing mess hall / cook house chimney on 28 May 1994. That’s in the part of the former RAF Station that’s now a Country Park.
Forces Reunited Forum Posts involving RAF Bridgenorth
" I was at RAF Bridgenorth in January 1959 for basic training, the DI was Cpl Fowler, yellow sqnd. We arrived by train from RAF Cardington. I believe the station or platform was attached to the camp because we had to run across a field which was part of the camp. It was certainly not Bridgenorth ..."
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" Hi Alan I was also at Bridgenorth and also came up fron Cardington by train but as I remember we were picked up from the station by coach ,but then I was there a long time befor you (April 1951). have you tryed the RAF Bridgenorth web site it certainly brought memories for me good ones at that "
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" Hi Alan I was there March/April 1960. You are right about the train coming right into Cardington. We were all lined up and the DIs came off the train and barked a few orders which seen us running towards the train carrying all our kit. Cant remember if the train went into RAF Bridgenorth or we ..."
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" I am looking for John Foster (poss Forster). Served in RAF late 1948 until mid 1950. His service number was 3118507. We started in RAF Bridgenorth for initial training. Then RAF Hereford for trade training, then onto 16mu Stafford. [RAF bridgenorth 1949.jpg] Last edited by John Johnson"
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" Quoting: John Johnson I am looking for John Foster (poss Forster). Served in RAF late 1948 until mid 1950. His service number was 3118507. We started in RAF Bridgenorth for initial training. Then RAF Hereford for trade training, then onto 16mu Stafford. [RAF bridgenorth 1949.jpg] Last ..."
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"BRIDGENORTH WOW WHAT A RECEPTION WE GOT THE FIRST THREE WEEKS WHERE MURDER. I WAS CHARGED SECOND WEEK FOR BURNING MY BOOTS TRYING TO BULL MY BOOTS TO PERFECTION NO CHANCE IHAD TO PARADE IN THEM WITH NO SOLE AND IN THE SNOW AS WELL. BUT CORPRAL VANCE TURNED OUT TO BE MY SAVIOR HE LENT ME A PER OF HIS AS HE SAID HE DID SOME THINK THE SAME AFEW YEARS BEFORE. AFTER THAT I COULD DO NO WRONG CORPRAL JONES WAS A BIT TO HARSH ARE SARGENT WHOES NAME I CAN NOT REMEMBER WAS A VERY FAIR HE GAVE AFEW OF US TREATS HE AND CPL VANCE GOT US SECOND PLACE IN THE DRILL COMPETION AFTER BEING GIVEN NO CHANCE BY THE OTHER DRILL CPLS OUR DRILL CPLS AND SGT WHERE DOWN WITH THE FLU AT THE TIME BUT WE DID IT AND WE GOT ARE REWARD IN THE NAAFI THAT NIGHT BRING BACK THE GOOD OLD DAYS ....."
