RNAS Lee - The Airfield Research Group

At either end of the central corridor are the staircases which connect with the quarters on the two
floors above. Other rooms on the ground floor include a billiard room, a card writing and two
ante-rooms. Both ante-rooms feature large bay windows and impressive fireplaces.
The kitchens, scullery and larders were all located on the right-hand wing of the ‘U’, while the
opposite wing has the heating chamber, coal store, beer store, linen room and mess waiter’s
bedroom.
The first and second floors were simply sub-divided into a number of bedrooms, servant’s
quarters, lavatories and bathrooms. First floor: two Squadron Leaders, 24 single bedrooms.
Second floor: 4 senior officers’ quarters and 24 single officers’ quarters.
Also associated with this building are three sets of garages, located against the brick perimeter
wall, running along Marine Parade West.
The architect, (it is difficult to read the signature) is M May, he had also designed the officers’
mess and quarters at Henlow, which was built at a similar date to this one.
� NGR: SU 5596 0109 (118)
4. 4.39 4.
Westcliffe Westcliffe Westcliffe Westcliffe House House House House Officers’ Officers’ Quarters Quarters (WRNS (WRNS Officer Officer Accommodation) Accommodation) (119)
(119)
Westcliffe House is a large detached late Victorian villa, built in 1894 but extended to the west in
1904 and was originally situated in extensive landscaped grounds. It was requisitioned c.1917 for
use as an officers’ mess and quarters. It is constructed of Flemish bond red brick with limestone
dressings and rises to 2.5 stories but also includes a basement.
� NGR: SU 5591 0110 (119)
4. 4.40 4.
40 Barrack Barrack Blocks Blocks Blocks 1134/38, 1134/38, AL AL 529/39, 529/39, 2406/39 2406/39 2406/39 (121 121 121 & & 147)
147)
A redesign of RAF barrack blocks took place in 1938, so that extra facilities could be provided.
The improvements incorporated in the new designs, comprised the following:
• An increase in floor area per man in barrack rooms and a reduction in the height of
rooms from 10ft to 9ft.
• A reduction in the number of men per barrack room so that a maximum of 12 was
accommodated.
• The provision of a sitting room in each block to allow for entertainment such as radio and
reading.
• The provision of utility rooms for cleaning equipment, washing and pressing of clothing.
• The last feature and one not seen before, was the provision of a basement refuge (also
called an underground air-raid shelter) for 40 persons to each block, with direct approach
from the entrance hall. An escape tunnel led to an exit at least 20ft clear of the building.
The result of all these improvements was the two-storey barrack design having both pitched and
flat roofs with two sizes available to accommodate 56 or 84 airmen and 8 NCOs. At Lee-on-
Solent two unique three-storey barrack blocks designed to accommodate 156 ratings in each
block were built instead of the RAF two-storey versions.
The two example at Lee are the only examples of three-storey barrack blocks dating from 1939
known to exist in Britain.
� Barrack block (Exmouth Block) NGR: SU 5588 0116 (121)
� Barrack block (Grenville Block) NGR: SU 5611 0130 (147)
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