GREAT PAXTON CRICKET TEAM 1920's
Graveley AIRFIELD
David Edwards recalls some memories of RAF Graveley during the Second World War and its effect upon the village.
"The sand and gravel to build RAF Graveley was excavated from Little Paxton Pits. The end of the runway came up to the Great Field and Top Common Well where there was a radar station of a sandwich type construction made of heavy plywood boards filled with gravel. We lived in Manor Lodge on the Offord Road in line with the runway and the farm track. We could see the landing lights set upon tall poles across the fields. Most days the aircraft would thunder over our house on take off and landing. When the Mosquitos came to Graveley they would sometimes overshoot the runway and the RAF would come round with a loud speaker telling us to keep our windows open otherwise they would shatter. RAF Graveley was the first airfield to use the FIDO (Fog Investigation and Dispersal Operation) fog clearing system. It involved burning large quantities of aviation fuel. When it was in operation it was so bright I could read a book by the light in our front bedroom. We had an RAF officer living next door to us for a short while with his wife and child. I think he was shot down and taken prisoner. My partner, Vera and her sister Dot lived at Yelling. They were friends with an airman who was guarding a plane at Graveley and he offered to show them round the aircraft. This was very much not allowed and when it came out, as these things always do, the poor airman was severely reprimanded. Just outside Graveley on the Offord Road there was a sign stating "Beware of Low Flying Aircraft" and they were very low. After the war things got a lot quieter. Oakington Airfield used Graveley for landing and take off training with Harvards and later Vampires. |