Good Following a Fire

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1884: Peterborough was still in shock following the dramatic fire at the infirmary two days previous, but it proved to be a catalyst for the expansion and development of its facilities. An appeal for restoration funds soon got underway. It stated that there had been 3,725 patients treated in 1883 and a total of 29,352 in the previous ten years. The appeal raised £3,000 for the hospital - and provoked a review of the fire service facilities, which were in place before the end of the year. (Tebbs, H.F., Peterborough, Oleander Press, 1979)

Taken from The Peterborough Book of Days by Brian Jones, The History Press, 2014.

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Airfields in World War 2

1940s

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As the East of England is very flat and because of its relative closeness to mainland Europe, many airfields were established or enlarged during the Second World War, roughly one every seven miles. Several of these were around Peterborough, amongst them were:

RAF Peterborough (now the Westwood area of the city) was used as a training base for pilots. American servicemen were stationed there during the war and post-war French airmen were also trained there. It was not used for operational missions but was bombed several times.

RAF Wittering, established in 1916 as a fighter station for the Royal Flying Corps. In 1938 it became a fighter base, with Spitfires and Hurricanes based there taking part in the Battle of Britain. It was bombed at least 5 times, one attack in March 1941 resulting in the deaths of 17 servicemen. Post war it was a home for the British nuclear deterrent and a base for Harrier jump jets.

The American Air Force also had bases in this area, including at the villages of King's Cliffe, Polebrook and Glatton from which they launched daylight bombing raids over Germany in their B-17 Flying Fortress bombers. Clark Gable, the Hollywood star did his military service from Polebrook in 1943, flying combat missions as Major Clark Gable. In his time off duty he was very popular with the female population of Peterborough! Peterscourt in Midgate was the base for the American servicemen when off duty, being known as, 'The American Red Cross Club'.

References:

https://cambsaviationheritage.org.uk/

Haunted Peterborough, Orme,S. The History Press 2012

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Peterborough Archives

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RAF , Battle of Britain , Americans , Peterscourt , Red Cross Club , Polebrook , Kings Cliffe , Glatton , Wittering , Westwood

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Airfields in World War 2

1940s

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