RAF Warmwell Preservation Group
This is the second volume published by the RAF Warmwell Preservation Group as part of its efforts to ensure that the memories of RAF Warmwel! are preserved for the future. As such it is a much revised edition. The author has added a considerable amount of new material. We would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge, with grateful thanks, the contributions of reminiscences that we have received and many of which we have included in this book. We also now have a large photographic record of the airfield - once again due, in large part, to kind contributions. Where known, we have included the contributors' names against the photographs.
The author is a founder member of the Group and has given his work to the project. Together we have, once again, voluntarily prepared the book for publication. All profits from book sales is retained by the Group for the provision of funds for future projects, to chronicle and preserve RAF Warmwell's past. The Group had considered the establishment of a museum devoted entirely to RAF Warmwell. Sadly, due to financial constraints and other important criteria, these plans have, to date, not been met. The acquisition of specific Warmwell artefacts, which would form the nucleus of the display material these plans include, has temporarily been placed on hold. This aspect of the Group's activities has not been forgotten, and work in this direction will continue, albeit at a much reduced pace. In the meantime, plans are being made to erect a plaque at Holy Trinity Church, Warmweli, which was the local church to the airfield, in remembrance of the personnel from RAF Warmwell.
Today, very little trace of the former airfield is evident to the casual observer. One would need to have an eagle eye, and an interest in military architecture, to realise that, at some time in the past. a military base was established in and around what is now the village of Crossways.
As people pass away, their memories and their associated history is lost forever - because it is people who make history. The story of those who served and survived is as important as those who made the supreme sacrifice. Sadly, within a few years, all traces of RAF Warmweil may have disappeared, for the few buildings that do remain are under threat as time marches on and homes are built for today's generation.
The RAF Warmwell Preservation Group will strive to preserve and record the annals, heritage and memory of the airfield and its dramatic history.
