RNAS Lee - The Airfield Research Group

ut, a larger Navy version. In order to store the large number of aircraft held in reserve (Reserve
Aircraft Complement), a number (approx. eight) of small storage sheds based around a common
farm building - the Dutch Barn - were dispersed around the northern and central areas (Milvill
Farm) of the aerodrome. As space was limited, aircraft were stored inside these sheds with wings
folded.
Construction commenced in 1941 on an extension to East Camp. This included further air-raid
shelters, barrack huts, ablutions and a new dining room & cookhouse.
In 1942 to coincide with the reconstruction of the runways, a new Admiralty designed control
tower was built. This replaced the original watch office with tower which had been destroyed
during the air-raid on 16 August 1940.
East Camp was again extended in 1943, but this time instead of brick huts as used before, a new
type of prefabricated hut designed by the Ministry of Works (Production) was built. Other
buildings also erected at this time included a cinema (replacing the one demolished in 1934) and
a drill shed.
In addition to the private houses already listed above, other requisitioned properties at this time
included the following:
House Grid Reference Occupier in 1935 Status
Dean House SU 5642 0104 Vice-Admiral
Raymond
Andrew demolished
Greenaway SU 5617 0139 Francis Draddy unknown
Gurseland SU 5612 0139 Henry Roger demolished
Lyncroft SU 5616 0139 owner not known demolished
Manorway Grange SU 5644 0118 owner not known now Admiral’s House
Manorway Lodge SU 5638 0124 owner not known now Admiral’s Cottage
Neuralia SU 5618 0139 William A Gayer demolished
Newton House SU 5636 0111 owner not known unknown
The Lodge SU 5613 0139 owner not known demolished
Vine Cottage SU 5599 0131 owner not known demolished
Woodbury SU 5610 0130 owner not known demolished
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