RAF Waltham (Grimsby)

4th July 2005

Located about 8 miles South of Grimsby, adjacent to Holton le Clay 1 mile South-East of the village from where it takes it's name, is the site of former RAF Waltham.

This former bomber airfield was built on the site of a pre-war civil aerodrome and was operational between 1941-1946. Many units on the former technical site, accessable from Cheapside road, have since been converted into commercial premesis, though many others are currently derelict, or in need of renovation. The old control tower is still there, albeit somewhat dilapidated, which is currently being used as a storage compound.

Most of these photos were taken in 2005, however since then, several of the old airmens huts, along with the fire tender shed and some decaying huts on the North of the site (not pictured) have been demolished, so a return visit was made in 2007 to see what remained.

Much of the Northern side of the airfield has reverted to agriculture, and the A16 road cuts through the Eastern side, though the outlines of the runways and perimeter tracks are largely still visable. A converted T2 hanger and Orlit Hut remain on the East side of the A16, though they're hard to distinguish.

A memorial to the old airfield can be found next to the A16 in a layby, adjacent to the traffic lights, on the Northern part of the airfield. The museum of Rural life in Waltham village, adjacent to the windmill, is based on the former domestic site in what is the last survivng Nissen hut and houses an exhibit to the RAF station, however this is only open at weekends and late afternoons, so getting to see it is kind of awkward.

Marker board at main entrance. 533x400	Main entrance to former technical site. Now an industrial estate. 533x400	One of the many converted buildings to the left, with the derelict parachute stores to the right. 700x470
Former parachute store. 700x525	Inside parachute store. 700x525	The old control tower (rear view), in need of renovation. 585x400
Closer view of rear of control tower 700x525	Another view, looking from the other direction (flight hut on left). 700x525	Control tower, front view. 700x525
Flight huts next to the front of the old control tower. 700x525	Interior of hut. 1024x768	Fire tender shed behind tower (now demolished). 700x500
Former T2 hanger on technical site, now owned by a haulage firm. 631x400	The offices to the right og the hanger used to be the gunnery training room. 700x525	Pre-war Grimsby flying club shed. 515x400
Former power supply hut, still in use by the elctricity board. 700x525	Old MT shed standing derelict. 533x400	Former squadron flight huts [2005] (now demolished). 533x400
Concrete bases of the same flight huts [2007]. 700x525	Former rifle range wall (partially demolished). 700x525	Warning flag mounts on demolshed section of wall, with flag pole still attached. 700x525
Front of rifle range. 700x525	Flight hut and Orlit style hut, now used as storage. 700x525	Buried air raid shelter. 700x525