Case 31 - Battle of Britain Hall, Badersfield
The Battle of Britain Memorial Hall at Badersfield has a direct connection to the former RAF Coltishall, one of Norfolk's most important RAF stations during the Second World War. The building was originally constructed in 1940 as the station church for RAF personnel serving at Coltishall.
RAF Coltishall opened as an operational fighter station in May 1940, just in time for the Battle of Britain. Although originally planned as a bomber base, it became part of RAF Fighter Command and operated aircraft such as the Hawker Hurricane and Supermarine Spitfire. Pilots from Coltishall took part in the defence of Britain against Luftwaffe attacks during 1940.
The Hall's Role - The building, now known as the Battle of Britain Memorial Hall, served the spiritual and community needs of RAF personnel stationed at Coltishall throughout the war and during the Cold War years that followed. After the closure of RAF Coltishall in 2006, much of the former station became the village of Badersfield, HMP Bure, and Scottow Enterprise Park. The hall survived as one of the historic buildings linked to the station's wartime heritage.
Today - The hall is now used as a community venue for functions, meetings, and events. It also maintains links with RAF Coltishall's history and is used by local heritage organisations connected with preserving the station's legacy. The RAF Station Coltishall Heritage Trust lists the Battle of Britain Hall as one of its locations.
Our investigation