Since we formed the Group in 1992, we have collected many memories of the men and women who served at RAF Ibsley during the war.
Many of them have been published in our book “So Much Sadness, So Much Fun”.
On this page we will publish a selection of them – changing them regularly – so that you can gain an insight into life at RAF Ibsley. If you have any memories to add to the collection, please Get Involved.

At North Gorley, some two miles north of the airfield, the “As You Like IT Motel”, on the A338, which has seen many name changes over the years, but is now known as The Open Country, was initially used as a mess but was later converted into the Station Hospital and Dentistry. In 1941 LAC Maurice Barrett who served with No. 32 Squadron was billeted there. Maurice recalled some of the variety artistes who used to perform in shows at Ibsley, including Len and Bill Lowe, and Johnny Lockwood who has appeared in the present day soup “Neighbours”. It is also believed that singer Al Bowley also performed at Ibsley.

The Battle Headquarters at Ibsley was built deep into the hillside of Newlands, off the Moyles Court – Gorley Road, behind Keepers Cottage. This is still there today. It has two observation post blocks, which is considered to be unique. It was suggested the reason for this is, probably, that the first was originally intended to cover the old airfield, but when the runway was extended southward to Ivy Lane the field of vision had to be increased, hence the second observation post block.

An interesting method of airfield defence was provided at Ibsley, by the Parachute and Cable Unit (P.A.C. Unit). They were equipped with rocket batteries situated around the airfield. Each rocket was attached to a large diameter steel cable, and was also fitted with a parachute to hold the cable in position once airborne. Then, in the event of an enemy aircraft attacking the airfield, these rockets would be fired to create a barrage of wires in its path, with the intent of either the cables fouling the propellers or the wings, or just deterring the aircraft from flying too low. Whether it was ever used is open to doubt.

Also in 1941, with the threat of invasion, anti-glider obstacles, in the shape of large poles were set into the ground over Ibsley Common to the north and east of Whitefield Plantation.


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