Dates: 1918 - 1960
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.
After the station closed in the 1960’s, the housing around the airbase continued to be used after the main base had shut by RAF staff working at RAF Lyneham and other West country RAF bases. In the 1980s the housing was used for United States Air Force personnel stationed at US airbases such as RAF Fairford. The housing has now been sold to private buyers.
Forces Reunited Forum Posts involving RAF Compton Bassett
" 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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"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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"After basic training at RAF BRIDGNORTH and RAF COMPTON BASSETT I spent 1961-64 at RAF AYIOS NIKOLAOS with shorter periods at RAF PITREAVIE CASTLE and RAF BUTZWIELERHOF.
If anyone thinks they know me from AY NIK I was more known there as BILL (Its a long story)."
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