Great to see the two videos Marc. Where you were talking/showing about the Nissan huts on the farm land, in the late sixties I used to be in the 21st Itchen North Scouts and the landowner allowed us to camp on that site and we even used one of the huts, we named the Warren and we also used other buildings for toilets and genie room. Unfortunately I think the Warren hut is no longer there. Very fond memories of that site. Thanks Marc
Hey Tim, thanks for getting in touch. Great to hear your memories! I have become friendly with the farming family who now run the farm and they recently gave me a tour of some of the huts which aren't as dilapidated which was a real privilege. I love the airfield, so glad my videos are enjoyed by others too - cheers!
@@TrexplorerUK Did you film your last visit to the site, it would be great to see it? Mrs Knightly owned the site when we were there. My brother and I have set up a facebook group for the 21st Itchen North ex-members and have shared your two videos for the others to see. Cheers!
@@timmurphy7739 Hi Tim, I took photos. There are also some on a website I run - try these links on my RAF Beaulieu blog: rafbeaulieu.co.uk/handcraft-huts-raf-beaulieu/ and... rafbeaulieu.co.uk/grocery-store-chorley-lodge-scout-hut/
This is absolutely brilliant ... thank you so much Marc. Have just got back home after long walk around Roundhills ... an old old haunt on the way to Roydon. I used to fly an old Stearman biplane and love anything to do with aviation history. You've researched this archaeological site so well and present with such ease ... will try and work out how to subscribe ... which may be difficult being a complete technophobe! x
@@TrexplorerUK yes definitely! I can remember when we found the air raid shelters as well, my older cousin actually trespassed to have a look but myself and my eldest cousin didn’t want to as we imagined there would be a skeleton in there 😆 we were only between 10-14 at the time, this would have been in the late 90’s as every summer we would camp there
Thank You for sharing Marc. There are many abandoned Commonwealth air bases here in Canada. Some still used as airfields and some were turned into race tracks after the war. I wonder how many airmen that served at Beaulieu trained in Canada. RCAF, RAF, RAAF, RNZAF and USAAF. Thanks for that walk through history. I really enjoyed it. My Uncle was a WAG on Lanc's.
Thanks Colin - similarly this airfield was used by the Ford motor company to test their cars in the post-war years, and also by locals to learn how to drive. The runways have now been completely demolished so you can't really imagine it happening, but it did according to older locals I've spoken with. There was a large Canadian contingent in the New Forest during the war. There's actually a local memorial to the Canadians not too far away. It's not much to look at, but the sentiment is there: www.newforestexplorersguide.co.uk/heritage/history-in-the-landscape/canadian-memorial.html Lots of volunteer fire fighters also came over from Canada and worked close by, with their job of putting out the blitz fires in the city of Southampton which is a few miles away from here.
@@MarcHeighway Thank for sharing that Marc. Yes that memorial is a great sentiment for the Canadians, many sadly did not return. My Father (Lt. FWR Vos) was in Canada when war broke out. Born in Holland in 1897 he came over to Canada in 1927 to farm. In 1941 he answered the call for all Dutch citizens and ex servicemen to sign up.His family, 3 sisters a brother and his parents were in Holland. He was also in the Dutch Army in WW1 although Holland remained neutral. He was attached to the Royal Netherlands Brigade(Princes Irene)in WW2. Since he was older he did not see combat but was on ARP and was a Civil Defence Instructor in London and later Bomb Disposal and Salvage.(Danger UXB) My Mum was a war bride and worked for the U.S. Army in London. My Dad was stationed near Wolverhampton for a time. He told many stories of bombers coming back all shot to hell, holes in wings,engines out or smoking. The #4 Wireless school part of the BCATP was here in Guelph,Ont where we live.
@TrexplorerUK thanks, I need to spend some more time there now I've watched your videos. I see the legend that is richard reeves makes an appearance in a few of them, we were at college together back in the early 90s. His knowledge of the forest is amazing.
Thank you David, I am learning as I go how to edit and do this stuff, if you've not seen it, here's the 1st walk: ruclips.net/video/m3r3IsJ_kw8/видео.html
Thank you Nigel, I love researching and making them too. If you haven't seen it, I actually created an initial one in the summer with a different route. You can see that here: ruclips.net/video/m3r3IsJ_kw8/видео.html
@@MarcHeighway Thanks Marc, Just looked at your others too. All great stuff. I have led walks round the old airfield with my Highcliffe Rambling Group but missed loads of the relics. When things get back to normal, will be out there again. You and Dave Ford ought to be on TV!
Good question, and not something I can give an accurate time on. What I can say though, is that if I walk to every point of interest on the airfield and communal area, it's around 10 miles. I do walks up there for teach people about the airfield, and tend to split it into two days, over two weekends. One walk is the communal area, another walk is the airfield. Otherwise it's too much to show most people in one hit.
Great to see the two videos Marc. Where you were talking/showing about the Nissan huts on the farm land, in the late sixties I used to be in the 21st Itchen North Scouts and the landowner allowed us to camp on that site and we even used one of the huts, we named the Warren and we also used other buildings for toilets and genie room. Unfortunately I think the Warren hut is no longer there. Very fond memories of that site. Thanks Marc
Hey Tim, thanks for getting in touch. Great to hear your memories! I have become friendly with the farming family who now run the farm and they recently gave me a tour of some of the huts which aren't as dilapidated which was a real privilege. I love the airfield, so glad my videos are enjoyed by others too - cheers!
@@TrexplorerUK Did you film your last visit to the site, it would be great to see it? Mrs Knightly owned the site when we were there. My brother and I have set up a facebook group for the 21st Itchen North ex-members and have shared your two videos for the others to see. Cheers!
@@timmurphy7739 Hi Tim, I took photos. There are also some on a website I run - try these links on my RAF Beaulieu blog:
rafbeaulieu.co.uk/handcraft-huts-raf-beaulieu/ and...
rafbeaulieu.co.uk/grocery-store-chorley-lodge-scout-hut/
@@TrexplorerUK Thanks Marc, will have a look.
This is absolutely brilliant ... thank you so much Marc. Have just got back home after long walk around Roundhills ... an old old haunt on the way to Roydon. I used to fly an old Stearman biplane and love anything to do with aviation history. You've researched this archaeological site so well and present with such ease ... will try and work out how to subscribe ... which may be difficult being a complete technophobe! x
Thanks :-) Glad you enjoyed it
A well presented and researched video Marc. Thanks for posting. Amazing how large an area RAF Beaulieu covered in total!
Thanks Dave, really appreciate you watching it. I honestly think I could do probably a few more like this on the site, so might plan another :-)
I remember playing on the barrow when I was younger with my cousins while camping at roundhill in the 90’s before they fenced it off.
Thanks Kellie, I love hearing about stories like this :-) It's a fascinating place with lots of history.
@@TrexplorerUK yes definitely! I can remember when we found the air raid shelters as well, my older cousin actually trespassed to have a look but myself and my eldest cousin didn’t want to as we imagined there would be a skeleton in there 😆 we were only between 10-14 at the time, this would have been in the late 90’s as every summer we would camp there
@@kelliesinclair5981 I can imagine :-)
Thank You for sharing Marc. There are many abandoned Commonwealth air bases here in Canada. Some still used as airfields and some were turned into race tracks after the war. I wonder how many airmen that served at Beaulieu trained in Canada. RCAF, RAF, RAAF, RNZAF and USAAF. Thanks for that walk through history. I really enjoyed it. My Uncle was a WAG on Lanc's.
Thanks Colin - similarly this airfield was used by the Ford motor company to test their cars in the post-war years, and also by locals to learn how to drive. The runways have now been completely demolished so you can't really imagine it happening, but it did according to older locals I've spoken with.
There was a large Canadian contingent in the New Forest during the war. There's actually a local memorial to the Canadians not too far away. It's not much to look at, but the sentiment is there: www.newforestexplorersguide.co.uk/heritage/history-in-the-landscape/canadian-memorial.html
Lots of volunteer fire fighters also came over from Canada and worked close by, with their job of putting out the blitz fires in the city of Southampton which is a few miles away from here.
@@MarcHeighway Thank for sharing that Marc. Yes that memorial is a great sentiment for the Canadians, many sadly did not return. My Father (Lt. FWR Vos) was in Canada when war broke out. Born in Holland in 1897 he came over to Canada in 1927 to farm. In 1941 he answered the call for all Dutch citizens and ex servicemen to sign up.His family, 3 sisters a brother and his parents were in Holland. He was also in the Dutch Army in WW1 although Holland remained neutral. He was attached to the Royal Netherlands Brigade(Princes Irene)in WW2. Since he was older he did not see combat but was on ARP and was a Civil Defence Instructor in London and later Bomb Disposal and Salvage.(Danger UXB) My Mum was a war bride and worked for the U.S. Army in London. My Dad was stationed near Wolverhampton for a time. He told many stories of bombers coming back all shot to hell, holes in wings,engines out or smoking. The #4 Wireless school part of the BCATP was here in Guelph,Ont where we live.
@@colinvos4443 Thanks for sharing this Colin, it's always a privilege to hear these accounts, Marc (PS: replying from my other account).
Great video. Subscribed. I was on the airfield today. Slightly eerie and thought provoking.
@@MrBrianc1975 thanks for the comment, it’s an incredible place
@TrexplorerUK thanks, I need to spend some more time there now I've watched your videos. I see the legend that is richard reeves makes an appearance in a few of them, we were at college together back in the early 90s. His knowledge of the forest is amazing.
@@MrBrianc1975 A yes, he's a very good friend of mine, and I owe him a lot! We chatted the other day about doing more, so watch this space.
@TrexplorerUK brilliant, I look forward to see future videos. 😀
Brilliant video 👍🏼
Thank you David, I am learning as I go how to edit and do this stuff, if you've not seen it, here's the 1st walk: ruclips.net/video/m3r3IsJ_kw8/видео.html
Wow love the buildings
another good one thanks.
Great video.
Thank you Nigel, I love researching and making them too. If you haven't seen it, I actually created an initial one in the summer with a different route. You can see that here: ruclips.net/video/m3r3IsJ_kw8/видео.html
@@MarcHeighway Thanks Marc, Just looked at your others too. All great stuff. I have led walks round the old airfield with my Highcliffe Rambling Group but missed loads of the relics. When things get back to normal, will be out there again. You and Dave Ford ought to be on TV!
@@nigelhicks1985 Dave definitely. He's bit smilier than me :-)
I did some evp recordings by the Watch office, some food responces..Would lile to try the cinema.
Where was the WAAF site,please, sorry sp many questions. Find it amazing
Any idea which hut was the mortuary?
Wow there are so many huts
How long did it take to walk the perimeter and runways? When I visited I was a bit godsmacked by the size of the place.
Good question, and not something I can give an accurate time on. What I can say though, is that if I walk to every point of interest on the airfield and communal area, it's around 10 miles. I do walks up there for teach people about the airfield, and tend to split it into two days, over two weekends. One walk is the communal area, another walk is the airfield. Otherwise it's too much to show most people in one hit.
Yeah, I suppose that's the enormity of the site. Would like to join one of your tours.
@@rancidschannel3206 Walks and events get announced here, there's an email sign up box if you're interested: nfhwa.org/events/
Excellent, thank you