RAF Cranage by A Woodhams

On Sunday 24 February 2013 I was contacted by Mr Geoff. W. Jaques who was stationed at Cranage during the 1950’s. During his time there, Geoff became good friends with Arthur J. Woodhams and the two of them ran the Astra cinema on the camp. Arthur was a keen photographer and made use of the photography club at Cranage, taking many pictures during his time there.

Unfortunately Arthur passed away in 2012, but Geoff had several hundred of his negatives along with a notebook naming many of the people in the photographs.

At the time that Arthur was taking these photographs the camp was being used by No.61 Maintenance unit as well as acting as the No.20 Personnel [family] Transit Camp for those who were following their husbands / fathers around the world. The catalogue is a wonderful insight to life at Cranage in the early/mid 1950s including shots of the camp, the service men and women, the civilians and local places of interest too.

There are over 600 photos on this page, please be patient while the page loads.

Cpl. Foote, Gaskell and MeyrickCpl. Foote, Gaskell and MeyrickA. DavidsonS. PlayerMrs Clarke [stores]Ann Glynn [stores]S. Player, A. Davidson, Mrs Clarke & Ann GlynnAnn Glynn [stores]Mrs Clarke [stores]Mr Coyles [stores]A. HendersonMrs Rutter with her baby, in living quartersMr & Mrs Rutter, passport photoRutter JuniorCoronation Parade, from the water towerCoronation Parade, from the water towerCoronation Parade, from the water towerCoronation Parade, from the water towerCoronation Parade, entering the campCoronation Parade, A.T.C. Band entering the campCoronation Parade, Sgt. Sweeney leadingCoronation Day, Mrs Gray & friendA.T.C. Coach, Mr Huff drivingCoronation Day, Mrs Bancroft & friendCoronation Day, A.T.C. Band passing Station Head QuartersCoronation Day, children’s cinema showCoronation Day, children’s sports in hangar 8Mobile N.A.A.F.I. Van3 Cooks, off to the Coronation sportsCoronation Cake, Families MessCoronation tea, Families MessCoronation tea, Families MessCoronation Dance, Sergeant, Benson & the Basford SistersCoronation Dance, Miss Jackson & Miss JamesonCoronation Dance, Mrs Fenwick, Mrs Huff & Mrs LeckCoronation Dance, Byley Local FolkCpl. Grice, Woodhams, Malcom & Paterson “Jankers”Arthur J. WoodhamsMiss HudsonMiss WattsGroup at the Guardroom, with Frieda in the centreBernard EllisTex Garton & B. Ellis, booking an airmanMiss B. Sinclair & R. MalcomS. DoddS. DoddBernard EllisBernard Ellis<>

T. MearnsBernard Ellis & T. MearnsWater TowerHalf-way up the water tower looking across hangarsView E.S.E. across the Hangars from top of water towerView N.E. of camp, from top of water towerView N. of camp, from top of water towerView N.W. of camp, from top of water towerView W. towards main gate, from top of water towerS. Player, in new gaberdine suitA.O.C’s. Parade, inspection front rankA.O.C’s. Parade, inspection front rank, rearA.O.C’s. Parade, lining upA.O.C’s. Parade, march pastA.O.C’s. Parade, A.O.C. taking saluteA.O.C’s. Parade, march pastA.O.C’s. Parade, march pastA.O.C’s. Parade, present armsA.O.C’s. Parade, final salute and march pastGroup of lads after A.O.C’s. ParadeGroup of lads after A.O.C’s. ParadeJ. ReasonPolice groupPolice groupMiss Margaret Ramsey & her sister Miss K. RamseyMiss Margaret Ramsey & Ray JonesRay Jones, on the rifle rangeRay Jones, by the education blockMiss Margaret Ramsey & Ray JonesMiss Margaret Ramsey, by the education blockMiss K. Ramsey, by the education blockBrown, Woodhams & Buckley, No.7 hangar doorHenderson, Paterson, Davidson, Reason & MalcomB. MellorJim Magnall & B. MellorMiss E. Basford, from airmen’s messMiss E. Basford & G. HinesJim Magnall with Chris [girl on camp]Information room, education blockD. PatersonCpl. Trenery, orderly N.C.O.M.U. Boys & F/O StrickettM.U. Boys & F/O StrickettMr Dawson with his sonArthur J. Woodhams, on rifle rangeR. MalcomReason, Henderson & DavidsonCpl. Heathfield, by M.U. billets<>

Arthur J. Woodhams & R. MalcomCamera Club sinksCamera Club enlargerArthur J. WoodhamsArthur J. WoodhamsA. HendersonJ. ReasonArthur J. WoodhamsArthur J. WoodhamsCurrie, Reason, Davidson, McDougall, Henderson, Malcom & WoodhamsMrs Johnson’s children, taken in quartersJim Magnall, on 48 hrs leaveJ. Reason & A. DavidsonJ. Liddle & A. DavidsonSimilarity between trees and cloudsD. PatersonD. PatersonArthur J. WoodhamsMiss B. SinclairMiss B. Sinclair, control tower roofA. HendersonR. Malcom, door of hut 88R. JonesA. RogersA. McDougallH. CurrieA. McDougallCrane & Fork Lift TruckFlt/Sgt Cotterill & A.O.C. Men, June 1952Airmen’s Mess, dining roomAirmen’s Mess, kitchen & staffR. Meyrick’s A.O.C. kit inspectionGroup of Civilians at the Married QuartersFire section & fire picquetFire section & fire picquetFire section & fire picquet, A.O.C. inspectingNo.61 M.U. billets gardenNo.61 M.U. billet for A.O.C. inspectionN. RobinsonPoliceman at the GuardroomB. Everington, mid argumentH. Currie, on the Clarke stackerA.O.C. Parade rehearsal on the peritrackA.O.C. Parade rehearsal on the peritrackAstra Cinema, publicity for the CoronationAstra Cinema screenA. J. Woodhams kit inspectionBaldwin, Jim Magnall & Sergent in the information room<>

Cpl. Foote & N. Wright, handcuffedAnne, a.k.a. Ginger, N.A.A.F.I. girlAnne, Lillie & Lena, N.A.A.F.I. staffAstra Cinema - Woman on a boardAstra Cinema - Harry JamesAstra Cinema - Pardon My Sarong, with Abbott & CostelloAstra Cinema - Virginia Mayo & Bob Hope in Princess and the PirateAstra Cinema - Loves of Carmen, starring Rita HayworthAstra Cinema projection roomunknownAstra Cinema - The Card, with Alec Guinness, Valerie Hobson, Glynis Johns & Petula ClarkAstra Cinema - The CardAstra Cinema - The CardAstra Cinema - The CardCutting from the Astra GazetteG.B. News HeadingChurch of England altarCpl. Woolmore, A.O.C. Display of DefenceButler, Loten & RobertsCampbell, Shrubsole & JonesButler, Shrubsole & RobertsCpl. Hadaway’s son, sitting on a hydrantChildren outside Camera ClubAstra CinemaH. MacDonaldMacDonald, Woodhams & Malcom, “musclemen”MacDonald, Woodhams & Malcom, “musclemen”Woodhams takes a diveA. Henderson, in the ironing roomA. Henderson & DavidsonA. DavidsonA. DavidsonFlt/Sgt Sergent presentation of long service medalMorley, Mellor & Branson play cricket by No.20 P.T.C. billetsMorley, Mellor, Branson & SpiersB. Anderson, Jones & MarsdenB. Anderson, Jones & MarsdenN. Mellor, Duty N.C.O.N. RobinsonN. Robinson & McDougallJoyce, N.A.A.F.I. girl, Surprise!J. Liddle, hanging out of the window after the demob partyS. Baldwin, ablution corridorS. Baldwin, “drunk’S. BaldwinT. Mearns, dressed as a gangsterH. Currie, in billet 88Flt/Sgt Wilkinson loading a 3 ton crate<>

A rose between two thornsMr Green & Mr AndrewsS. DoddS. HadawayBernard EllisArthur J. Woodhams with Mrs JaquesMrs Eaton’s TwinsMrs Eaton’s TwinsMrs Eaton’s TwinsMrs Simpson’s sonMrs Simpson’s sonMrs Simpson’s sonJ. LiddleSergeants Mess and gardensInside No.7 HangarInside No.7 Hangar R1155 cornerJ. Liddle on Ross fork lift truckSgt. Laird on Ross fork lift truckMr Dawson, accounts sectionNo.40 Group wagonShipping out more equipmentJim MagnallCoventry Climax stacker, full liftCoventry Climax stackerArthur J. WoodhamsPhotography publicity at bed spaceYoung Miss CloweryS. Player, with pin-upsDavidson playing accordion while drunkReason & Currie after demob partySgt. SweeneyMrs ? N.A.A.F.I. ManageressMrs ? & Miss N. by the N.A.A.F.I.Mrs ?Mrs Hetherington’s daughterMrs Hetherington’s sonMrs Hetherington’s sonMrs Hetherington’s childrenMrs Hetherington’s childrenArthur J. WoodhamsArthur J. Woodhams & friendsJim Magnall & friendsMr AndrewsMr CooksonMr CooksonMrs Theaker with her babyMrs Theaker with her babyMrs Theaker with her baby<>

Mrs Blades and her childrenMrs Blades and her childrenMrs Blades and her childrenInside No.7 HangarFlt/Sgt WilkinsonBrian EveringtonMrs ? with her babyMrs ?'s babyMrs ?'s babyMrs ? with her childrenMrs ?’s babyMrs ?’s babyCamera Club lockerT. Sergent, playing N.A.A.F.I. pianoM.U. boys on the stackerCrane lifting 3 ton crateCrane driverHippo & Crane on peritrackRobinson, Liddle, Woodhams & Highton “night out”Arthur J. Woodhams “muscles”Arthur J. Woodhams “muscles”Liddle, Woodhams & Mellor “bull night’M.U. boys round the billet fireSgt. Wakeman’s sonSgt. Wakeman’s sonSgt. Wakeman & familyJ. Liddle holding Buckly up in the airM.U. boys up highMrs Gray’s babyArthur J. Woodhams in police uniformArthur J. Woodhams ‘nicking’ Cpl. O’DriscollS. DoddS. Dodd & S. Green acting the foolsS. Dodd & S. Green polishing the concreteT. SergentFire Tender on the peritrackP. ClarkeJ. LiddleMr FrenchArthur J. WoodhamsCranage Bonfire - Fire Alight!Cranage Bonfire - SilhouetteCranage Bonfire - SilhouetteCranage Bonfire - The Station GuysSergent, Mellor & Jim Magnall, electric blanketsSergent & Mellor, 48 hrs leaveJim MagnallJ. Liddle & V. Buckley, cutting the grass<>

V. Buckly as Mr ChadSquadron Leader PollockF/O Willshaw, equipment sectionF/O Cooper, accounts sectionB. EveringtonMr Jones, fixer crewMiss Gale & FriendMiss Gale & Friend with T. MearnsMiss Gale & Friend with Arthur J. WoodhamsV. BuckleyCranage Sports - Group of ladsCranage Sports - Final ScoreCranage Sports - Mellor gets a prizeCranage Sports - Police guard prizesCranage Sports - Miss Emm Wins!Cranage Sports - Miss Emm & BabsCranage Sports - Senior N.C.O’s.Cranage Sports - Obstacle raceCranage Sports - Tug-o-warCranage Sports - Long JumpCranage Sports - High JumpCranage Sports - High JumpCranage Sports - HurdlesCranage Sports - Tranter Wins!Cranage Sports - Alf Wins!Cranage Sports - RelayCranage Sports - RelayCranage Sports - 100 yardsArthur J. WoodhamsHenderson with 113 BSMr FrenchMr FrenchMr HayballMr FreemanMr FreemanSgt. LairdMr PenhallowMr PenhallowCpl. S. Dodd, time exp. in GuardroomMr Clarke, [No.20 P.T.C.] in GuardroomFront page of Revielle for weekendComical Staff Parade, 27 Dec, 1953Comical Staff Parade, 27 Dec, 1953Ernie the cat eating Xmas dinnerErnie in the post officeMrs CooperT. MearnsBill Flint<>

Group at the Christmas DanceAstra CinemaAstra CinemaPaul GriffithsGeoff. W. Jaques & Arthur J. Woodhams in the Astra Cinema projection roomGeoff. & Marie JaquesV. Buckley & Arthur J. WoodhamsArthur J. Woodhams & V. BuckleyArthur J. WoodhamsArthur J. Woodhams & Geoff. W. JaquesArthur J. Woodhams & Marie JaquesArthur J. Woodhams & Marie JaquesArthur J. WoodhamsArthur J. WoodhamsMarie Jaques, Arthur J. Woodhams & friendArthur J. WoodhamsArthur J. Woodhamsunknown childunknown childrenunknown childunknown childrenFt/Lt Wilshaw & Father Christmasunknown woman & childBalloons for the Christmas PartyFt/Lt Wilshaw, unknown child & Father ChristmasFt/Lt Wilshaw, unknown child & Father ChristmasQueuing to see Father ChristmasArthur J. WoodhamsArthur J. WoodhamsArthur J. WoodhamsPoster in the Education RoomunknownGroup of M.U. ladsGroup of M.U. ladsMr CooksonChristmas DanceChristmas DanceGroup at the Christmas DanceunknownM.U. ladsCpl outside the GuardhouseArthur J. WoodhamsArthur J. WoodhamsOff duty Sgt. - unknownunknownM.U. lads at hut 86Cpl. - unknownV. Buckley<>t

unknownSgt. - unknownunknown in pickupAstra Cinema film service posterOff to Parade, possibly church parade.Reveille for the weekend - December 12-14 1952V. BuckleyunknownunknownunknownA. Hendersonunknown with the Families Rations bookM.U. lads - possibly around the time of their demobM.U. ladsM.U. ladsM.U. ladsunknownM.U. lads - possibly around the time of their demobSalute at Guardhouse<>

All of the above photographs have been from RAF Cranage 1952/53 and are of No.61 M.U. and No.20 P.T.U.