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June 1, 2010
RAF Nocton Hall Comments
Comments on MACLA Website about Nocton Hospital following the article published in the Summer 2009 issue
D. Newton said: I have just found your wonderful site. I did most of my national service cooking in the officers' mess. A lot of local civilians were employed in those days; they were lovely people. I used to go home every other weekend so I didn't get to know the area all that well. From the map I see the mess is still standing.
5077803 AC1 Hotson E said: I served at Nocton from 1960 to 1962 on Ward 7 and Ward 5. Group Captain Sidney was Station Commander. Group Captain Knipe was one of the Surgeons. Some of the Sisters were Williams, Pacival and Glover. My mates were Aberdeen Bob Leiper, Cuzz Mick Crossley, Bob Croft, Shaggy Bill Dunnet. I played Double Bass for The Bob Paterson Trio. Bob was the Camp Butcher who came from Bonnyrigg and supported Hearts. I have written my Life Story which include some of the incidents at Nocton. If we decide to go further; then I will need help from my Family Ian and Vicky. Cheers Eric the Viking
Sue Waugh (nee Warburton) said: I trained as a nurse at Nocton Hall from 1974-1976. I am saddened to see Nocton as it is now. I remember some wonderful times, and sad times too. It would be great to hear from anyone I knew back then. I have loads of stories to share.
4035922 AC1 G Lilley said: I was a driver, I took patients to Nocton from RAF Driffield in 1950.
Marilyn Triffitt (nee Smith) said: I was at RAF Nocton Hall from 1972 to 1974. I did my SEN nurse training there and have many happy memories of the camp and friends past and present. Hence the reunion at Red Lion Dunston at the end of October 09. Also went back in 1977 with my then hubby Harry Bowness and our 2 sons went to Dunston School. Our daughter was born at the hospital in 1980. We left just as the camp was closing. Went back this year - it was so upsetting to see the Hall in such a derelict state. Got some great pics of friends there - would love to hear from anyone from the good old days.
Bruce Haines said: I was the electrician (sparky) at Nocton 1972-75.(MDSS) Unfortunately I couldn't make the reunion in October 2009 as I am in Queenstown NZ and busy, busy. Yes it's so sad seeing Nocton in its present state.
Saw it on Google Earth's time line and watched the trees enveloping the buildings at the click of the mouse. One web site by some one has recently walked in the derelict hospital said, "when he walked down the halls, I can feel a presence of the ghosts who now exist here. hainesnz@xtra.co.nz
Tony Lanes said: I was at Nocton Hall as part of the 310th Contingency Hospital from Travis Air Force Base in Northern California in 1991. I was flabbergasted to find out what happened to the place!
Mike Base said: During the summer of 1959 I was an LAC motor mechanic stationed at RAF Waddington. I caught pneumonia and was transferred to RAF Nocton Hall - cannot remember which ward - where they saved my life. Special thanks to SAC (WRAF) Nurse Brown who looked after me as I struggled to cope following a tracheotomy. Thanks also to the maternity staff at RAF Nocton Hall, who (8 years later) delivered our son safely - if unexpectedly - when my wife was making a routine visit for a 'check up' on 5th April 1967, when I was again stationed at RAF Waddington, prior to demob.
Frank Kemp said: I was stationed at Nocton 1975-76 before going to Wroughton hospital for my last two years of service. What has happened to these hospitals since they were closed is scandalous. Wroughton doesn't exist now and from what people have said I doubt if Nocton exists either. Have very happy memories of both hospitals
John Walker said: I served at Nocton Hall from December 1964 to March 1966. I was in charge of the fire service which consisted of a Corporal and 4 SACs with a Bedford fire truck to cover the hospital and the married quarters. I have many happy memories of Nocton and all the permanent staff that worked there including Chippy Horton the carpenter and his dog 'Domino'. My future wife worked in the Bell and the pub in Metheringham and the hall was a lovely place for the female officer nurses. What a shame it has burnt down.
Jean Mulholland nee Todd said: I was stationed at Nocton Hall 1960 1961 before going to Steamer point. I was on the maternity wards post and anti, they were great times and I loved the place, so sorry to read what has happened to it.
Liz Hall nee Hayward said: I was posted to Nocton Hall July 1979 after passing SEN training at Wroughton. Loved it there. Had great time and good friends. Was later posted to West Drayton. Really saddened to see ALL the places and postings I had gone. Nocton Hall was so beautiful too. I hope they caught the vandals and prosecuted.
John McIntyre (Nee Dick) said: I arrived at RAF (Hosp) Nocton Hall on 27 Dec. 1961 straight from Boy Entrant and stayed there until May 1965 when I was posted to HQ AIRCENT (Fontainebleu, France). I have some very happy memories of working on Ward 6 with Sister 'Granny' Kingston and Sister McPhail on Ward 4. I can still remember the farewell party for the last National Serviceman to leave Nocton Hall. I also worked on Wards 3, 5 & 12, O/P Dept, ECG Dept, CSSD and did a short spell in theatre. Spent many times on Fire Piquet and got up to many things including setting fire to the Fire Piquet billet roof. It is so sad to see the state of the site now.
Bruce Haines said: I suppose when all the WW2 bases closed down after the war, many service people felt the same as the ex RAF Nocton service people do now. But then again, Nocton was quite special.
Jacky Reid said: My daughter Amy Samantha was the last baby to be born at RAF Nocton Hospital in December 1982. I have lovely memories of the place and was treated like a queen. Nurses and doctors were fantastic. I went back to see the place and it was so derelict. Such a shame to have let it go like that. Will always have fond memories.
I WAS AT NOCTON HALL AS A NURSING ATTENDANT FROM JUNE 66 TO FEB 68. I WAS A BIT OF A REBEL BACK THEN, I WENT STRAIGHT AFTER APPRENTICESHIP AT RAF HALTON, AND WAS ONLY JUST 17 ON ARRIVAL.
I LOVED THE PLACE, TO ME IT WAS LIKE MASH THE ORIGINAL FILM, NOT THE TV SERIES, WE WERE REBELLIOUS, IRREVERENT, HARD DRINKING AND PARTYING BUT GOOD AT OUR JOBS AND DELIVERED A1 CARE TO THE PATIENTS IN OUR CHARGE. EVERYBODY SMOKED THEN, EVEN THE PATIENTS IN THE WARDS SMOKED, AND WHEN WE DID BED BATHS WE GOT THEM TO LIGHT UP, SO WE COULD ALL SHARE A FAG, IF THE NURSE IN CHARGE LOOKED IN, IT WAS THE PATIENT WHO WAS SMOKING!!
MY BEST MATES WERE JOHNNY JOYCE J/T, AND DOC MARTIN FINLAY
I was stationed at Nocton from feb.,67 to nov.69. They were the best days in my young life, great mates, superb NAAFI, it was the next best thing to paradise in a uniform you could get to. I "worked" in reception and saw some amazing goings on (and off) ... treasured memories.
Yes, the Naffi was great, especially the disco nights.
I remember some of the guys from married quarters used to turn up, sent by there wives to complain about the volume of the music, then sit at the bar with a pint for the rest of the night.
Great place to escape to.
One of my duties as the camp sparky was to fix the ice making machine in the officers kitchen in the hall.
Every time it dumped a load of ice in the bucket, I would jump out of my skin, as that place used to spook me at the best of times.
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