Information for record number MWA8106:
RAF Southam

Summary The site of RAF Southam, an airfield which was opened in 1940, during the Second World War as part of the defence of Britain. There were 37 buildings associated with the airfield which closed to flying in 1944. It was situated to the south east of Southam.
What Is It?  
Type: Airfield, Laing Hut, Nissen Hut
Period: Unknown
Where Is It?  
Parish: Southam
District: Stratford on Avon, Warwickshire
Grid Reference: SP 42 61
(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 grass relief landing ground for RAF Church Lawford opened in 1940. The minimal facilities included 4 blister hangers (one each at the E and W perimeters) and the other two joined together in the maintenance area to the South. Closed to flying March 1944. A total of 37 Airfield buildings are listed in WCC Planning Dept Box S145 (these papers not normally available for public inspection). All buildings much dilapidated in 1989.
2 Described as another small grassed relief landing ground (RLG). It had been laid out with two landing runs of 800 and 600 yards long. In 1941 the RLG was provided with a number of Laing and Nissen huts for the seventy or so airmen stationed there. It was also supplied with 6 Blister Hangars.
3 The site of a former World War Two military airfield, now partly built over. The airfield opened in 1940 and closed in 1945. The wartime airfield consisted of grass landing areas of about 800 by 600 yards. It was equipped with 6 Blister aircraft hangars. During the war it was used for various Royal Air Force units for flying training. By December 1944 it was no longer used for active flying being on "Care and Maintenance" status. By the 1981 the western part of the former airfield site was used for allotments. It was subsequently partly built over for housing.
 
Sources
Source No: 1
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: Fifty years of changing land use
Author/originator: Freeman, H
Date: 1989
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 3
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: Premises, Sites etc. within 30 miles of Harrington Museum used for Military Purposes.
Author/originator: John Brace
Date: Before 2017.
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 2
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: Warwickshire Airfields in the Second World War
Author/originator: Smith G
Date: 2004
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Images:  
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Glossary

 
Word or Phrase
Description  
monument YARD * A paved area, generally found at the back of a house. back
monument SITE * Unclassifiable site with minimal information. Specify site type wherever possible. back
monument AIRFIELD BUILDING * Non-specific building type associated with an airfield. back
monument LAING HUT * A prefabricated structure of standard lightweight timber wall sections bolted together. Externally the walls were clad with plasterboard covered with felt. Designed in 1940 for use as barrack accommodation. 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 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 ALLOTMENT * A share or portion of land, allotted to a person, often used for growing, vegetables, fruit, etc. back
monument CHURCH * A building used for public Christian worship. Use more specific type where known. back
monument MUSEUM * A building, group of buildings or space within a building, where objects of value such as works of art, antiquities, scientific specimens, or other artefacts are housed and displayed. back
monument DEFENCE * This is the top term for the class. See DEFENCE Class List for narrow terms. back
monument BLISTER AIRCRAFT HANGAR * A type of transportable aircraft hangar patented by Miskins and Sons in 1939. The arched hangar was constructed of steel or wooden ribs and generally clad in steel sheets. The hangar did not require any foundations and could be anchored by iron stakes. back
monument NISSEN HUT * A prefabricated structure of a steel frame clad in corrugated iron. Semi-circular in section they were used as accommodation for the armed forces and, during WWII, as emergency housing for bombed out civilians. Also used for storage. 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 HANGAR * A large shed for the housing of aircraft, etc. back

* Copyright of English Heritage (1999)

English Heritage National Monuments Record