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My first explore has been done so I am no longer an exploration virgin. Of course this is my first attempt at a report so I hope not to bore you too much, I know everyone on here has heard of this place. Still I’m going to attempt a history.

RAF Croft or HMS Gosling camp 3 was built during the second world war and used as a training facility for fleet air arm mechanics. Electrical and radar technicians were trained at HMS Aerial near by. During the war the base was occasionally provided with security and defence by corps, most had RM transport drivers sent in small detachments and commanded by sergeants.

A few people who trained at the camp are Ron Best who became a fleet plane mechanic after 3 years of training at Croft and Roy and Carmen Pickering who were married during the war and held their reception at the mess hall at croft.

The base was tenanted by the US air force in 1955 and used as a processing point for personnel when Burtonwood was given the additional function of a military air transport service terminal for fights between the US and the UK.

The people stationed here were treated to regular movies showed on 16mm film in the large movie theatre located on the site.

I have also discovered that the base donated two plaques, one on the north and one on the south wall of Christ church Croft, which commemorate the use of the church by Gosling during world war 2. Also donated were a chalice and paten by the Royal navy when the base closed. Unfortunately I only found this information after my visit so I have no pictures of the plaques which display the names of 3 men who were killed during the second world war and 20 men who died in the first world war.

Here are some pictures from my visit, I have to confess that Tom 83 help me quite a lot with these photos.


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This one is from my research but I thought I'd add it.






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That's it, hope it meets standards.xxx