by Anthony Philip Bird
Hidden amongst the trees of Tattershall Thorpe stands one of Lincolnshire's most remarkable surviving Second World War sites.
Thorpe Camp: The Story of No. 1 Communal Site tells, for the first time, the complete story of the domestic camp that supported RAF Woodhall Spa, home to the legendary Dambusters of No. 617 Squadron and other distinguished Bomber Command units. More than simply a history of wartime buildings, this book follows Thorpe Camp's extraordinary journey from a bustling RAF communal site to post-war family homes, through decades of abandonment and dereliction, to its remarkable rescue and restoration by dedicated volunteers.
Drawing upon archival records, official RAF documents, photographs, personal recollections and extensive local research, Anthony Bird brings together the people, places and events that shaped Thorpe Camp over more than eighty years. Discover the stories of the servicemen and women who lived there, the famous squadrons they supported, the Golden Eagle Tavern, post-war life on the camp, and the volunteers whose determination ensured this unique piece of Britain's wartime heritage was not lost forever.
Illustrated throughout with historic photographs, maps and previously unpublished images,Thorpe Camp: The Story of No. 1 Communal Siteis an essential read for anyone interested in RAF Woodhall Spa, Bomber Command, the Dambusters, Lincolnshire's wartime history and the preservation of Britain's military heritage.
Whether you are a visitor to Thorpe Camp, an aviation enthusiast, a military historian or simply fascinated by Britain's Second World War story, this book offers a compelling account of one of the country's last surviving RAF communal sites—and the people who ensured its story would continue to be told.
Why readers will enjoy this book:
Publisher: DMP (July 29, 2026)
Pages: 161 pages
Illustrations: (B&W and Colour)
Language: English
Type: Non-Fiction, History, Military
ISBN-13: 978-1-7399493-9-6
£11.99
Thorpe Camp Visitor Centre, Tattershall Thorpe, Lincolnshire LN4 4PL
Home of the 97, 619, 617 (Dambusters) and 627 Squadron that flew out of RAF Woodhall Spa in the 1940s
Open from Easter Sunday, every Sunday and Bank Holiday 1-5pm until the end of October.
Entrance fee £7.00 per person, Under 12s free, Serving Military with ID free
Website : https://www.thorpecamp.org/
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