Thorpe Camp: Difference between revisions

Thorpe Camp Visitor Centre
	Thorpe Camp Visitor Centre Crest
Former name	RAF Woodhall Spa
Established	1988; 36 years ago
Standort	Tattershall Thorpe, Lincolnshire, LN4; United Kingdom
Coordinates	53°07′14″N 0°11′02″W / 53.1205°N 0.1839°W
Typ	Ex-Wartime Barracks
Director	Nicholas Bird; Heather Bird; John Horn; Dave Overton; Lesley Reeson; (Joint Directorship)
Owner	Thorpe Camp Preservation Group Limited
Nearest car park	On site (no charge)
Website	thorpecamp.org

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Thorpe Camp, officially known as the Thorpe Camp Visitor Centre, is the former Royal Air Force barracks for RAF Woodhall Spa. It is 2.5 miles (4.0 km) southeast of the site of RAF Woodhall Spa, in the civil parish of Tattershall Thorpe. Built in 1940 during the Second World War, the site included Officer, Sergeant and Airman messes, a NAAFI building, ration store, latrines and ablution blocks. The site closed in the 1960s.^[2]

By 1987 the site was completely derelict and overgrown. Part of it came with the area acquired by the Woodland trust when they purchased the adjacent Carr Woods. It was the Trust's plan to demolish the buildings that resulted in the formation of the Thorpe Camp Preservation Group to restore the site and create a Visitor Centre.

In 1994 the Visitor Centre opened to the public with a donation entry fee and a very limited area to view. Today the full site is a memorial to the past.

The remaining buildings - the Airman's mess, NAAFI, ablution block, and ration store - are now preserved within the boundaries of the visitor centre, by the Thorpe Camp Preservation Group Limited. The visitor centre commemorates both the Royal Air Force, and RAF Woodhall Spa history, as well as civilian life in Lincolnshire in the 1940s.

Dedications to RAF Woodhall Spa

The visitor centre has various dedications to RAF Woodhall Spa, including a display for each of the squadrons that were either stationed there, or had operations relating to the station. The centre also has a dedication to the Air Training Corps, an organisation that provided training and experience to young people in both World War II, and beyond.

97 Squadron

97 Squadron was a training squadron based at nearby RAF Waddington during the First World War.^[3] The squadron was disbanded on 1 April 1920 after being renumbered, becoming No. 60 Squadron. The squadron was reformed on 16 September 1935 at RAF Catfoss, and later became one of the Pathfinder squadrons in April 1943. ^{[citation needed]}

617 Squadron

Commonly known as the Dambusters, No. 617 Squadron was the squadron that took part in Operation Chastise in May 1943, destroying Nazi factories, mines, and hydro-electric power stations.^[4] 617 Squadron was based at RAF Scampton, but often made use of RAF Woodhall Spa during exercises and missions.

Famously Wing Commander Gibson took off on his final Journey from RAF Woodhall Spa with Squadron Leader Jim Warwick. In Mosquito B.XX KB267 after rejecting reserve aircraft KB213. Sadly both men did not return home.

619 Squadron

No. 619 Squadron was a Heavy bomber squadron, initially formed at RAF Woodhall Spa on 18 April 1943. The squadron flew the Avro Lancaster, and took place in many bombing raids on Nazi Germany.

627 Squadron

No. 627 Squadron alike No. 97 Squadron was a member of the Pathfinder squadrons. It operated from both RAF Oakington and RAF Woodhall Spa throughout the war, as a bomber squadron, reconnaissance and also a specialised target marking squadron.^[5]

Thorpe Camp 1940s Weekend

Thorpe Camp hosts an annual, 1940s Weekend on the first full Weekend in July. The event has become a popular, regular attraction in the Lincolnshire summer events calendar.

With a packed schedule of entertainment throughout the weekend, including live music, singing and dancing, living history reenactor groups from around the country with vintage military and civilian vehicles.

https://thorpecamp.wixsite.com/1940sweekend

References

^ "Thorpe Camp Preservation Group Limited - Officers". Companies House. Retrieved 24 February 2024.
^ "Official site". Thorpe Camp Visitor Centre. Retrieved 24 February 2024.
^ Melinski Air Pictorial October 1971, p. 389.
^ Ashworth, Chris (1995). RAF Bomber Command 1936-1968. Haynes. ISBN 978-1-85260-308-3.
^ Orbis 1985, p. 4257

External links

[1] "Thorpe Camp Preservation Group Limited - Officers". Companies House. Retrieved 24 February 2024.

[2] "Official site". Thorpe Camp Visitor Centre. Retrieved 24 February 2024.

[3] Melinski Air Pictorial October 1971, p. 389.

[4] Ashworth, Chris (1995). RAF Bomber Command 1936-1968. Haynes. ISBN 978-1-85260-308-3.

[5] Orbis 1985, p. 4257

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[2]

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@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+{{Short description|Former RAF barracks}}
 {{For|the theme park|Thorpe Park}}
-{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2013}}
+{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2023}}
 {{Use British English|date=November 2014}}
 {{Infobox museum
-| name = Thorpe Camp Visitor Centre
+| name            = Thorpe Camp Visitor Centre
-| logo = Thorpe Camp Visitor Centre Crest.png
+| logo            = Thorpe Camp Preservation Group LTD Logo.png
+| logo_caption    = Thorpe Camp Visitor Centre Crest
-| image =
+| image           = Thorpe Camp Visitor Centre Gate Guardian.jpg
-| map_type =
+| map_type        =
-| former_name = [[RAF Woodhall Spa]]
+| former_name     = [[RAF Woodhall Spa]]
-| established = {{Start date and age|1988|df=yes}}
-| location = [[Tattershall Thorpe]], [[Lincolnshire]], {{postcode|LN|4}}<br />[[United Kingdom]]
+| established     = {{Start date and age|1988|df=yes}}
+| location        = [[Tattershall Thorpe]], [[Lincolnshire]], {{postcode|LN|4}}<br />[[United Kingdom]]
-| type = Ex-Wartime Barracks
+| type            = Ex-Wartime Barracks
-| director = Nicholas Bird<br/>Anthony Freeman<br/>Michael Hodgson<br/>Angelika Schmidt<br/>Klaus-Harry Schmidt<br/>William Skinner<br/><small>(Joint Directorship)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/company/08729269/officers|title=Thorpe Camp Preservation Group Limited - Officers|last=|first=|date=|website=Companies House|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=19 May 2018}}</ref></small>
+| director        = Nicholas Bird<br />Heather Bird<br />John Horn<br />Dave Overton<br />Lesley Reeson<br /><small>(Joint Directorship)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/company/08729269/officers|title=Thorpe Camp Preservation Group Limited - Officers|website=Companies House|access-date=24 February 2024}}</ref></small>
-| owner = Thorpe Camp Preservation Group Limited
+| owner           = Thorpe Camp Preservation Group Limited
-| car_park = On site (no charge)
+| car_park        = On site (no charge)
-| website = [http://thorpecamp.org thorpecamp.org]
+| website         = [http://thorpecamp.org thorpecamp.org]
+| coordinates     = {{Coord|53.1205|-0.1839|display=inline,title}}
 }}
-'''Thorpe Camp''', officially known as the '''Thorpe Camp Visitor Centre''', is the former [[Royal Air Force]] barracks for [[RAF Woodhall Spa]]. It exists {{convert|2.5|mi|km|1}} south-east from the site of [[RAF Woodhall Spa]], in the [[civil parish]] of [[Tattershall Thorpe]]. Built in 1940 during the [[Second World War]], the site included [[Officer (armed forces)|Officer]], [[Sergeant]] and [[Airman]] [[Mess|messes]], a [[NAAFI]] building, ration store, latrines and ablution blocks.  The site closed in the 1960s.<ref>{{cite web|title=Official site|url=http://thorpecamp.org/|publisher=Thorpe Camp Visitor Centre|accessdate=3 December 2014}}</ref>
+'''Thorpe Camp''', officially known as the '''Thorpe Camp Visitor Centre''', is the former [[Royal Air Force]] barracks for [[RAF Woodhall Spa]]. It is {{convert|2.5|mi|km|1}} southeast of the site of [[RAF Woodhall Spa]], in the [[civil parish]] of [[Tattershall Thorpe]]. Built in 1940 during the [[Second World War]], the site included [[Officer (armed forces)|Officer]], [[Sergeant]] and [[Airman]] [[mess]]es, a [[NAAFI]] building, ration store, latrines and ablution blocks.  The site closed in the 1960s.<ref>{{cite web |title=Official site |url=http://thorpecamp.org/ |access-date=24 February 2024 |publisher=Thorpe Camp Visitor Centre}}</ref>
+By 1987 the site was completely derelict and overgrown.  Part of it came with the area acquired by the [[Woodland Trust|Woodland trust]] when they purchased the adjacent Carr Woods. It was the Trust's plan to demolish the buildings that resulted in the formation of the Thorpe Camp Preservation Group to restore the site and create a Visitor Centre.
-The remaining buildings - the [[Airman|Airman's]] [[mess]], [[Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes|NAAFI]], ablution block, and ration store are now preserved within the boundaries of the visitor centre, by the Thorpe Camp Preservation Group Limited. The visitor centre commemorates both the [[Royal Air Force]], and [[RAF Woodhall Spa]] history, as well as civilian life in Lincolnshire in the 1940s.
+In 1994 the Visitor Centre opened to the public with a donation entry fee and a very limited area to view. Today the full site is a memorial to the past.
+The remaining buildings - the [[Airman|Airman's]] [[mess]], [[Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes|NAAFI]], ablution block, and ration store - are now preserved within the boundaries of the visitor centre, by the Thorpe Camp Preservation Group Limited. The visitor centre commemorates both the [[Royal Air Force]], and [[RAF Woodhall Spa]] history, as well as civilian life in Lincolnshire in the 1940s.
 == Dedications to RAF Woodhall Spa ==
 The visitor centre has various dedications to [[RAF Woodhall Spa]], including a display for each of the squadrons that were either stationed there, or had operations relating to the station. The centre also has a dedication to the [[Air Training Corps]], an organisation that provided training and experience to young people in both [[World War II]], and beyond.
+[[File:Thorpe_camp_Memorial.jpg|thumb|262x262px|Thorpe Camp Visitor Centre Memorial]]
 === 97 Squadron ===
-[[No. 97 Squadron RAF|97 Squadron]] was a training squadron based at nearby [[RAF Waddington]] during the [[World War I|First World War]]<ref>Melinski ''Air Pictorial'' October 1971, p. 389.</ref>. The squadron was disbanded on 1 April 1920 after being renumbered, becoming [[No. 60 Squadron RAF|No. 60 Squadron.]] The squadron was reformed on 16 September 1935 at [[RAF Catfoss]], and later became one of the [[Pathfinder (RAF)|Pathfinder]] squadrons in April 1943. {{Citation needed|date=May 2018}}
+[[No. 97 Squadron RAF|97 Squadron]] was a training squadron based at nearby [[RAF Waddington]] during the [[World War I|First World War]].<ref>Melinski ''Air Pictorial'' October 1971, p. 389.</ref> The squadron was disbanded on 1 April 1920 after being renumbered, becoming [[No. 60 Squadron RAF|No. 60 Squadron.]] The squadron was reformed on 16 September 1935 at [[RAF Catfoss]], and later became one of the [[Pathfinder (RAF)|Pathfinder]] squadrons in April 1943. {{Citation needed|date=May 2018}}
 === 617 Squadron ===
-Commonly known as the Dambusters, [[No. 617 Squadron RAF|No. 617 Squadron]] was the squadron that took part in [[Operation Chastise]] in May 1943, destroying [[Nazi Germany|Nazi]] factories, mines, and hydro-electric power stations<ref>{{Cite book|title=RAF Bomber Command 1936-1968|last=Ashworth|first=Chris|publisher=Haynes|year=1995|isbn=978-1-85260-308-3|location=|pages=}}</ref>. 617 Squadron was based at [[RAF Scampton]], but often made use of [[RAF Woodhall Spa]] during exercises and missions.
+Commonly known as the Dambusters, [[No. 617 Squadron RAF|No. 617 Squadron]] was the squadron that took part in [[Operation Chastise]] in May 1943, destroying [[Nazi Germany|Nazi]] factories, mines, and hydro-electric power stations.<ref>{{Cite book|title=RAF Bomber Command 1936-1968|last=Ashworth|first=Chris|publisher=Haynes|year=1995|isbn=978-1-85260-308-3}}</ref> 617 Squadron was based at [[RAF Scampton]], but often made use of [[RAF Woodhall Spa]] during exercises and missions.
+Famously [[Wing commander|Wing Commander]] [[Guy Gibson|Gibson]] took off on his final Journey from RAF Woodhall Spa with [[Squadron leader|Squadron Leader]] Jim Warwick. In Mosquito B.XX ''[[United Kingdom military aircraft serials|KB267]]'' after rejecting reserve aircraft KB213. Sadly both men did not return home.
+[[File:Lancaster Hut.jpg|thumb|260x260px|One of the Exhibits at Thorpe Camp The Lancaster Hut]]
 === 619 Squadron ===
@@ Line 34: / Line 46: @@
 === 627 Squadron ===
-[[No. 627 Squadron RAF|No. 627 Squadron]] alike [[No. 97 Squadron RAF|No. 97 Squadron]] was a member of the [[Pathfinder (RAF)|Pathfinder]] squadrons. It operated from both [[RAF Oakington]] and [[RAF Woodhall Spa]] throughout the war, as a bomber squadron, reconnaissance and also a specialised target marking squadron<ref>Orbis 1985, p. 4257</ref>.
+[[No. 627 Squadron RAF|No. 627 Squadron]] alike [[No. 97 Squadron RAF|No. 97 Squadron]] was a member of the [[Pathfinder (RAF)|Pathfinder]] squadrons. It operated from both [[RAF Oakington]] and [[RAF Woodhall Spa]] throughout the war, as a bomber squadron, reconnaissance and also a specialised target marking squadron.<ref>Orbis 1985, p. 4257</ref>
+== Thorpe Camp 1940s Weekend ==
+Thorpe Camp hosts an annual, 1940s Weekend on the first full Weekend in July. The event has become a popular, regular attraction in the [[Lincolnshire]] summer events calendar.
+With a packed schedule of entertainment throughout the weekend, including live music, singing and dancing, living history reenactor groups from around the country with vintage military and civilian vehicles.
+https://thorpecamp.wixsite.com/1940sweekend
 ==References==
@@ Line 41: / Line 60: @@
 ==External links==
 * [http://thorpecamp.org/ Thorpe Camp Visitor Centre]
+* [https://thorpecamp.wixsite.com/1940sweekend Thorpe Camp 1940s Weekend Website]
-{{Portalbar|Lincolnshire|England|United Kingdom}}
+{{Portal bar|England|United Kingdom}}
 {{Lincolnshire|state=collapsed}}
 {{East Lindsey (district) |state=collapsed}}
-{{coord missing|Lincolnshire}}
 [[Category:Military history of Lincolnshire]]

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