RETURN TO THORNEY ISLAND

 I thought that some of you might be interested in a recent visit made to Thorney Island, Hampshire England, by current members of 407 Squadron.  The Demon CO, LCol Mike Hogan, and a number of members from the Squadron, including Capt Peter Bolton a Swordfish who now is flying with the Demon Pack, visited the area in which the old air base was located.  As many of you know, 415 Squadron was formed at Thorney Island on 20 August 1941.

 Mike reports that there isn't much left of the old airfield.  The runways are used to park trucks and the Hangars are being used for storage.  The station has been occupied by 42 Royal Artillery Regiment and they have removed all signs of the air force from the whole place including the officer's mess.  The mess is the original building and was used to house Vietnamese 'boat people' refugees at one time.  The Commonwealth War grave cemetery is next to St Nicholas Church and is very well kept.  The church dates back to the 11th century and would have been the base chapel during the war.  Other than a few mementoes in the Church, there isn't any 'memorial'.  The graveyard also contains the graves of some German service members. There is a generic memorial stone dedicated to all the service people who lost their lives during WW II. 

If any you reading this article have additional information to share concerning either 415 or 407 operations from Thorney Island please forward and we will ensure that they are shared with the applicable Squadron Association.  I also want to thank Mike Hogan for providing this update to the 415 Squadron Association - it is appreciated.