Sutton & Wawne
Team Ministry
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RAF Sutton on Hull
17 Balloon Centre |
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| It is with great sadness that we have to report the death of the author of the fine book about RAF Sutton on Hull, Len Bacon, who died suddenly at home on Tuesday, 21st August, 2007. It was Len's drive and dedication that led to so much history about the RAF's time here being revealed for all. It was his insistance that the contribution to the defence of Hull of former colleagues who served with him in Sutton during World War Two should not be forgotten that also led to the placing of the Blue Plaque in Bransholme Library. Indeed, it was sales of the book that helped to fund the purchase and placement of the plaque. Additionally, as well as the book and the plaque, it was Len's help and enthusiasm that enabled us to post these pages about the RAF station here, and also the excellent history that appears on the HullWebs site. Len derived much satisfaction at having completed the task he set out to do. There were times when it seemed as if his health would not allow it, but he drove himself on. Len was a familiar figure at the Resource Centre on Fridays, helping all who asked his advice or who sought information about the RAF station. To say he will be sadly missed is rather an obvious understatement. Whatever he did, the book, the campaign for the plaque, he made sure it was a job well done.
Rest in Peace, Len.
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There is now an excellent Website devoted entirely to RAF Sutton on Hull and the Balloon Squadron stationed there. It contains photos, station plan and a full history by Leonard Bacon. Highly recommended.
Saturday, 18 October 2003 saw a service at St James to commemorate the 60 years since the formation of the RAF School of Fire-Fighting and Rescue back in 1943.
The RAF & Defence Fire Service Association Standard was dedicated by the Reverand Heather Nesbitt in a service that was attended by some 200 retired RAF personnel from all over the UK who did their training at RAF Sutton on Hull during the 16 years the School was in existance. The second standard on display was that of the Royal Air Force Association (RAFA).
The Lord Mayor of Hull, Councillor Kenneth Branson, and his lady, attended the service, as did two serving NCOs from today's RAF. Please forgive my poor quality photos .. I'll replace them with better ones if someone can email me some.
It was a lovely service .. though I can't help the thought that composer, Eric Coates, may have had a wry smile at the choice of the tune to go with the first hymn . . . had he been able to hear it.
Sutton, St James', and The Ship Inn, home to the memories of many an airman who trained here, and those who manned and maintained the wartime balloon defences.
Sutton on Hull station ... a different station. This is how many an airman arrived to take up his new posting in this far-flung outpost of the British Empire. If Hull was termed as being at the end of the earth ... heaven only knows how all those men regarded Sutton. I could just imagine them getting their posting chit ... " Sutton ... Sutton on where ? Where in heaven's name is that ?" And that's the polite version ! But I've no doubt local Sutton folk made them welcome ... 60 years later, some 200 wanted to come back and remember their time here.
On Wednesday, the 24th of September, 2003, Local Historian Len Bacon presented this Hull City Council plaque to Councillor Gemmell for display on the wall of Bransholme Library. It commemorates that in the area, there was in existence from 1939 to 1961, a Royal Air Force Station.
Originally designated as RAF 17 Balloon Centre, it was opened on Wednesday 28th June 1939, and from there during World War 2, the Balloon Barrage in the defence of Kingston upon Hull and the Humber Area was controlled and maintained. By September 1942, over 2,000 Royal Air Force and Women's Auxiliary Air Force personnel served at and from the Centre, which on the 15th October 1942 was renamed to become RAF Station Sutton-on-Hull. Also there was the home of the RAF School of Fire Fighting and Rescue from 1943 - 59.
The RAF Station was finally disposed of on Monday 14th August 1961. Covering 83 acres, the land was developed for the Bransholme (North Point) Shopping Centre, housing, and located centrally, the Bransholme Library which now displays this splendid commemoration.
The plaque has been sponsored from the proceeds of the sale of Len Bacon's book "Hull's Own Air Force Station", still available from Len at the Resource Centre in the Old School on Fridays, or the at Balloon Barrage Reunion Club, or of course, you can email Merrill or myself for further details. We'll be happy to help. We understand that there are not all that many copies left.
This Hull City Council plaque is the first outside the City Centre, the first marking of a World War 2 defence installation, and definitely the first on Bransholme Estate !
The plaque is flanked by a Roll of Honour of the names of personnel who died whilst serving at RAF Sutton on Hull in the course of their duties, an aerial photo of the station, and a plan of the whole site. Click for a full page image.
Go to a second page giving
MORE DETAILED INFORMATION ABOUT
RAF SUTTON ON HULL
and the
HULL BALLOON BARRAGE
and for details of a new video about
992 Squadron Balloon Barrage
at Queensferry in 1939.
War Memorials & War Graves
and Civilian War Dead Index
There are several Military Links,
to both the RAF and the other services,
on our Other Links Page or click the button in the menu.
For another RAF link of interest to our area, there is a Battle of Britain pilot buried in Sutton churchyard. F/Lt Pat Hughes is credited with shooting down Luftwaffe ace, Franz von Werra, the famous German escapee who became renowned for his escaping prowess.
See more details about Pat
. . . who really 'won' the Battle of Britain ?
There has been some controversy of late caused by a mischevious media (including the BBC who should know better) quoting some historians' comments out of context and so casting doubt on whether it really was the RAF who 'won' the Battle of Britain and thereby prevented a German invasion in 1940. Or were the real victors the Royal Navy, simply by their strength and presence? A silly question, really, but for those wanting to know more about it, the following link takes you to a short page of comment that endeavours to put things into perspective.
The Battle of Britain ... who really won it ?
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There is now an excellent Website devoted entirely to
RAF Sutton on Hull
and the Balloon Squadron stationed there.
It contains photos, station plan and a full history by Leonard Bacon.
It comes Highly Recommended.
A link to something a bit more modern ...
RAF HOLMPTON
... was the top-secret underground Cold War Bunker, built in 1951-52 as part of the UK's radar defence shield.
It re-opens to the public from 17 Feb 2007, with guided tours.
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