RAF Elsham Wolds

Royal Air Force Elsham Wolds was situated on the Lincolnshire Wolds north of Barnetby le Wold in North Lincolnshire.

During World War 1 the site was part of the Fighter Defence Chain and home to C Flight of 33 Squadron. During World War 2 it was the home of 103 Squadron and 576 Sq RAF Bomber Command. 100 Squadron operated from Elsham Wolds for a short time at the end of the war. In 1946 a No 21 Heavy Glider Conversion Unit of Transport Command took over the base for a year. It was then closed in 1947 and reverted to agricultural use. In later years part of the site has been put to light industrial and warehouse use. There is also a large water treatment works on one corner of the site. (Pictured) The last remaining hangar from RAF Elsham Wolds, now in the middle of an industrial estate between the Lincolnshire towns of Scunthorpe and Grimsby.

The airbase began life during WWI when it was built to defend against Zeppelin bombers. After 1919 it fell into disrepair but as the next war loomed, it was reactivated and served as a bomber base.
In the photo above the control tower was located just in front of the hangar but this was demolished in the 80's. (Photo below by Ian DB)

The Elsham Wolds Association now run a small museum on the site which can be accessed by appointment and thank you to David Fell for all of his support and help over the years in my research.
Photo taken at the Elsham Wolds Association Memorial Room in the Anglian Water plant on heritage open day 2010. The memorial room was set up as a tribute to the airmen who lost their lives while flying from Elsham in World War II. It contains RAF items including uniforms, medals and many other wartime artefacts.