Can Anyone Please Tell Me It's Usage ? (RAF WW.II Norfolk)

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A friend of mine just over the English Channel asked me to take some pix - (RAF WW.II base)

It's a former Short Stirling base, in Norfolk, just North of the B.1122 road (I hope the nomenclature is right ?)

The building in question is just "off base", situated just to the South and only yards away from Bexwell Church

Rather than me just send a photo' of an 'anonymous' WW.II building, it would be nice to know it's purpose & useage ?

I'll attach one of the pix that I took - Not great, I grant you, but good enough for my French mate (for now)

Back in 1998, the building in question still bore wartime markings near the door (lane-side)

Alas, they are not there today, in Sept' 2020

It still looks rather well preserved for a 75-80yr old building & am sure my French friend would love to know it's function...

Cheers in advance to anyone who can help.....

'H.C'

The airfield was RAF Downham Market.

The building is a typical wartime austerity build Temporary Hut using standard 18 feet wide steel roof trusses supported on external piers the wall infill being single brick thick and cement rendered externally. The roof was, usually, asbestos cement corrugated sheets.

Unfortunately, there are still many TBs located near to Bexwell church some of which have been refurbished and in use. Could you be specific as to the location of the building in your photograph? That might enable someone with a Record Site Plan to find the function from the Building Schedule.

I think that this may be the building you are querying:

wtp2.appspot.com/wheresthepath.htm?lat=5...grat=None&rgrat=None

Hi if you go to Bexwell kitchens they have a small exibit there and a plan of the airfield they may be able to help you .
Regards ,
Bomber .

PETERTHEEATER wrote:

I think that this may be the building you are querying:

wtp2.appspot.com/wheresthepath.htm?lat=5...grat=None&rgrat=None

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Yes Peter, thank you, that building is indeed the correct one - (& well deduced, you)

Bomber ; Thanks for your suggestion mate.

In fact when I was there, we stopped briefly near the Suzuki place, near Harrods coaches.

Despite I'm a "Lazy B'strd" & never bothered getting out (of) the car, a guy wandered over, somewhat older than me.

He asked what we were doing there (not over friendly, initially), until I told him that I'd built the AIRFIX Short Stirling as a kid. (multiples !)

That thawed the ice & he then became rather friendly & helpful & gave the same suggestion that you did, Bomber.

I'm ballsy enough to go wandering over, however, the other family members in the car WERE getting restless !!!!!!

This, despite the fact that the 'senior man' in the car was/is "Ex-RAF" & served on a Bomber station (Linc's), during the late 40's & early 50's

When that person IS continually moaning/p!$$ing/griping that HE wants his Fish & Chips & that we'd been there "long enough"

That 'dive-bombed' any further contact or investigation, so off to aforesaid institution we went..... (at least I got a beer or two ; Him then driving !)

Given the shocking weather we've had these last few days, it'll be some time BEFORE I next get chance to get back there.....

Meantime, "if" anyone does know it's purpose or function during the Short Stirling or Lancaster years, please DO chime-up (cheers !)

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That appears to have been built as a WAAF Site Dining Hall.

The WAAF site was in that area.

P wrote:

That appears to have been built as a WAAF Site Dining Hall.

Cheers Lads, I shall take that as 'pretty much read' then ?

In a few weeks time, I shall open a separate thread on a totally different building, elsewhere.

Thanks chaps for your answers ; It's been very much appreciated, Cheers !


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