Information for record number MWA7991:
RAF Atherstone on Stour

Summary RAF Atherstone on Stour, a Second World War bomber airfield with three runways. It opened in 1941 and closed in 1945. The airfield was situated to the north east of Atherstone on Stour.
What Is It?  
Type: Airfield
Period: Unknown
Where Is It?  
Parish: Atherstone on Stour
District: Stratford on Avon, Warwickshire
Grid Reference: SP 21 51
(Data represented on this map shows the current selected record as a single point, this is for illustrative purposes only and does not represent an accurate or complete representation of archaeological sites or features)
Level of Protection National - Old SMR PrefRef (Grade: )
Sites & Monuments Record
Description

  
Source Number  

1 A three runway bomber airfield, with extra facilities for use by fighter aircraft, opened 12 July 1941. From July 1941 to Sept 1942 was a satellite to RAF Wellesbourne Mountford. From Sept 1942 to March 1944 was a satellite to RAF Pershore. From March 1944 was returned to RAF Wellesbourne Mountford. Closed 1945. Remaining facilities include: 1 type T1 hanger (SP 21 51); 1 control tower (SP 21 51); 1 signal square (SP 21 51); 1 battle HQ (SP 21 52); 2 pillboxes (SP 21 52 and SP 21 51); 1 blast shelter (SP 21 51); 1 shelter (SP 21 52); 1 range (SP 22 51).
2 Report of a student project investigating the changing land use of all RAF airfields in the modern County of Warwickshire.
3 airfield plan of 1942.
4 Vertical air photograph of airfield.
5 Note, 1 page.
6 Opened in April 1941 (contra
1), on land recquisitioned from the Alscot Park estate. It was provided with the standard features of a bomber airfield - three concrete runways, although one was uniquely completed in half tarmac/half concrete (presumably for experimental purposes), 23 hardstandings, a perimeter track, two large hangars (B1 and T1 types), control tower, fuel storage tanks, a water tower, a bomb dump, shelters and defence emplacements etc. It was originally known as RAF Atherstone but not long after opening was renamed Stratford-upon-Avon (presumably on account of confusion with Atherstone in North Warwickshire). Detailed information.
7 Stratford airfield, Warwickshire, SP 215 515. A former World War Two military airfield, opened in 1941 and closed in 1945. The wartime airfield consisted of three tarmac runways, and Type T2 and B1 aircraft hangars. The airfield's main role was as the base for 22 and 23 Operational Training Unit, Royal Air Force Bomber Command. Initially the airfield was known as Atherstone but it was changed to Stratford in order to avoid confusion with an existing airfield with the name of Atherstone. A 1941 pattern combined control tower and operations room is extant at the site. it is a brick built building of two storeys, in 2004 it was in a derelict condition but still extant. The main use of the site in 2004 is for agricultural purposes.
8 Monument remapped to include all dispersal areas based on 1942 map SWA4767 (FI 7991).
 
Sources
Source No: 4
Source Type: Aerial Photograph
Title:
Author/originator:
Date:
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 2
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: Fifty years of changing land use
Author/originator: Freeman, H
Date: 1989
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 6
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: Warwickshire Airfields in the Second World War
Author/originator: Smith G
Date: 2004
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 7
Source Type: Digital Data
Title: National Record for the Historic Environment (NRHE) also known as AMIE, formerly known as NMR
Author/originator: Historic England
Date: 2014-2016
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 3
Source Type: Map
Title: Atherstone (Stratford) AE222
Author/originator:
Date: 1942
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 8
Source Type: Map
Title: Atherstone (Stratford) AE222
Author/originator:
Date: 1942
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 5
Source Type: Unpublished document
Title: 22 O T U notes
Author/originator:
Date:
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Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 1
Source Type: Unpublished document
Title: Notes
Author/originator: Brace, J
Date: 1998
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Images:  
There are no images associated with this record.  
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Glossary

 
Word or Phrase
Description  
period Modern The Modern Period, about 1915 AD to the present (the 20th and 21st centuries AD)

In recent years archaeologists have realised the importance of recording modern sites. They do this so that in the future people will be able to look at the remains to help them understand the events to which they are related.
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period modern About 1915 AD to the present (the 20th and 21st centuries AD)

In recent years archaeologists have realised the importance of recording modern sites. They do this so that in the future people will be able to look at the remains to help them understand the events to which they are related.
more -> 		back
monument SITE * Unclassifiable site with minimal information. Specify site type wherever possible. back
monument OPERATIONS ROOM * A room used for directing military operations and exercises. back
monument BUILDING * A structure with a roof to provide shelter from the weather for occupants or contents. Use specific type where known. back
monument RUNWAY * A hard level roadway or other surface from which aircraft take off and land. back
monument CONTROL TOWER * A high building at an airport from which air traffic is controlled by radio. back
monument MILITARY AIRFIELD * A landing and taking-off area for military aircraft. Often includes ancilliary structures and buildings for the maintenance and storage of aircraft, etc. back
monument PARK * An enclosed piece of land, generally large in area, used for hunting, the cultivation of trees, for grazing sheep and cattle or visual enjoyment. Use more specific type where known. back
monument FEATURE * Areas of indeterminate function. back
monument DISPERSAL * An area of hardstanding for parking aircraft, in a state of readiness, usually around the perimeter of an airfield. back
monument SHELTER * A structure which protects an area of ground from the weather. back
monument WATER TOWER * A tower serving as a reservoir to deliver water at a required point. back
monument DEFENCE * This is the top term for the class. See DEFENCE Class List for narrow terms. back
monument AIRCRAFT * An aircraft, either whole or in part. Aircraft often survive as commemorative monuments, gate guardians or crash sites. back
monument AIRCRAFT HANGAR * A structure used for the housing and servicing of aircraft. back
monument PILLBOX * An often squat building with thick, loopholed walls and a flat roof, designed to accommodate a variety of weapons, usually strategically positioned to cover a vulnerable point in a defensive system. Many were built to standardized designs. back
monument AIRFIELD * An area or site used for the landing and take-off of aircraft, often including associated buildings, equipment and other installations. back
monument PERIMETER TRACK * The outer boundary of an airfield. back
monument HANGAR * A large shed for the housing of aircraft, etc. back
monument STORAGE TANK * Container for the storage of unspecified materials. back
monument SIGNAL SQUARE * A signalling structure used on WWII airfields, comprising a concrete square base with a kerbed border into which concrete signal symbols could be placed to advise pilots in the air of current airfield state e.g. directions of landing and airfield circuit. back
monument BLAST SHELTER * A structure, usually of earth and concrete, and usually, although not always, subterranean, designed for protection against explosives back

* Copyright of English Heritage (1999)

English Heritage National Monuments Record