Historic England research records

Historic England Research Records

Tern Hill Airfield
Hob Uid: 1414260
Location : Shropshire Sutton upon Tern, Stoke upon Tern
Grid Ref : SJ6420030800
Summary : The site of a military airfield used in both World Wars and in the Post-War period. Tern Hill was an important training airfield during the First World War. It opened in 1916 and from 1916 to 1918 No. 34 and No. 43 Training (Ex Reserve) Squadrons were based there. In June 1917 an Australian Flying Corps (AFC) training facility was opened with No. 30 Training Squadron. In January 1918 this squadron became the No. 6 Training Squadron of the AFC. Tern Hill became the No. 13 Training Depot Station (later renamed No. 13 Training School in March 1919) flying a variety of aircraft including Avro 504s, DH6s and even Handley Pate 0/400s. This Training School was disbanded in March 1920 and the airfield closed in 1922.Tern Hill reopened as part of the RAF Expansion Period in 1935. The World War Two phase of the airfield comprised two concrete and tarmac runways, with a range of aircraft hangars including Types C and D as well as Lamella, Bellman and Blister aircraft hangar designs. It had a 1936 pattern control tower, which was still extant in 2004. During the Battle of Britain the airfield played a supporting role as a part of 12 Group Royal Air Force Fighter Command. It was used to rest units and for training and maintenance purposes. During the Battle it also functioned as a relief landing ground and t served as a temporary base for nightfighters protecting Liverpool and cities in the north Midlands from attack. Among the units using the airfield in the Second World War were No 5 Pilots Advance Flying Unit, No 25 Group Communications Flight, No 25 Repair Depot Maintenance Unit. The military airfield closed in 1976. In 2004 it was used as a barracks for the British Army. For details of the surviving elements of the airfield including defences please see related records.
More information : AIRFIELD. Form, with small sketch plan, landing chart Flying Training No5 (Pilot) Advanced Flying Unit No 25 Group Communications Flight No 24 (Repair Depot) M. U. Recorder- ? (1) Ternhill Airfield, Shropshire, SJ 642 308. The airfield opened in 1916. The World War Two phase of the airfield comprised two concrete and tarmac runways, with a range of aircraft hangars including Types C and D as well as Lamella, Bellman and Blister aircraft hangar designs. The military airfield closed in 1976. (2) In 2004 Ternhill Airfield was used as a barracks for the British Army. Although altered the 1936 pattern control tower was extant in 2004. (3) Tern Hill was an important training airfield during the First World War. It opened in 1916 and from 1916 to 1918 No. 34 and No. 43 Training (Ex Reserve) Squadrons were based there. In June 1917 an Australian Flying Corps (AFC) training facility was opened with No. 30 Training Squadron. In January 1918 this squadron became the No. 6 Training Squadron of the AFC. Tern Hill later became the No. 13 Training Depot Station flying a variety of aircraft including Avro 504s, DH6s and even Hanldey Pate 0/400s. This Training Depot was renamed No. 13 Training School in March 1919 but was disbanded in March 1920. The airfield closed in 1922 but was reopened as part of the RAF Expansion Period in 1935. For further details of the airfields use in the Second World War and Post War periods please see the source. (4) During the Battle of Britain the airfield played a supporting role as a part of 12 Group Royal Air Force Fighter Command. It was used to rest units and for training and maintenance purposes. During the Battle it also functioned as a relief landing ground and t served as a temporary base for nightfighters protecting Liverpool and cities in the north Midlands from attack. (5)

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Source details : Defence of Britain Database record.
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Source details : Rober Truman. 2004. Control Towers: Ternhill Airfield"; http://www.controltowers.co.uk/T-V/Ternhill.htm; accessed 27-JUN-2005.
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Source Number : 5
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Source details : Royal Air Force, Crown Copyright, 2005. 'Battle of Britain: 12 Group' <> [Accessed 03-AUG-2010]
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Monument Types:

Monument Period Name : Second World War
Display Date : World War II
Monument End Date : 1945
Monument Start Date : 1939
Monument Type : Airfield, Military Airfield, Aircraft Hangar (Type D), Aircraft Hangar (Type J), Bellman Aircraft Hangar, Blister Aircraft Hangar, Lamella Aircraft Hangar, Control Tower
Evidence : Structure, Documentary Evidence, Extant Building

Monument Period Name : Late 20th Century
Display Date : Closed 1976
Monument End Date : 1976
Monument Start Date : 1976
Monument Type : Military Airfield
Evidence : Structure

Monument Period Name : 21st Century
Display Date : Use in 2004
Monument End Date : 2004
Monument Start Date : 2004
Monument Type : Barracks
Evidence : Extant Building

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Related Records from other datasets:

External Cross Reference Source : DoB Non Anti Invasion Database UID
External Cross Reference Number : 3684
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External Cross Reference Source : National Monuments Record Number
External Cross Reference Number : SJ 63 SW 13
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Relationship type : General association

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Historic England Research Records

Tern Hill Airfield