History of Bramcote Station

Royal Air Force: 1939 - 1946

Bramcote was planned as a training airfield for the Midlands in the latter part of the 1930s. It was also part of a general plan to be used as a dispersal airfield in the event of the airfields in East Anglia becoming easy targets for enemy bombers.
Construction work began in early 1939 with the airfield eventually completed and operationally effective on 4 June 1940.

Bramcote immediately became responsible for training all bomber aircrew for the Polish element of the RAF. It saw the formation of the four Polish manned bomber squadrons. The first to be formed was No. 300 (Masovian) on 1 July 1940. No. 301 (Pomeranian) was formed on 22 July 1940 and in August Nos. 304 (Silesian) and 305 (Ziemia Vielkopolska) were formed. After training they moved to RAF Swinderby.

The main training unit at Bramcote was No. 18 OTU (Operational Training Unit) which arrived at Bramcote on 15 November 1940. It had been formed at RAF Hucknall on 1 May 1940. After the initial formation and training of the four Polish manned squadrons, 18 OTU trained all aircrew who where then posted to join the operational squadrons. The establishment of aircraft of 18 OTU on arrival was 54 Wellington bombers and 9 Ansons. The four Polish squadrons were all eventually equipped with Wellington bombers and the first Polish pilots to fly these bombers did so on 1 January 1941.
Although Bramcote was primarily a bomber base, some elements of fighter squadrons spent a little time here. Coventry received its fateful heavy air raid on 14 November 1940 and following that, 151 Fighter Squadron (Defiants) was based here for a short while.

In May and June 1942, 18 OTU (despite being a training unit) provided aircraft and crews to take part in the thousand bomber raids over Germany, including Cologne, Essen and Bremen.
The lack of reserves for training had, by March 1943, brought about the reduction of 18 (Polish) OTU to just one flight and it was then moved to the training unit at RAF Finningley. Bramcote then took on the training of aircrew for transportation and the longer flights such a role would require. This became the task of 105 OTU, with Bramcote passing from Bomber to Transport command. In August 1945, 105 OTU ceased its operations and its duties were taken over by 1381 (Transport) Conversion Unit. By now Wellingtons were no longer used and the unit was completely equipped with Dakotas.
Since 1941, Bramcote had also been the home of 1513 BAT flight, equipped with Oxford aircraft. BAT stands for Beam Approach Training - a form of blind flying. On 16 July 1946 it was replaced by 1510 Flight. They stayed until November of that year. This ended the chapter of the RAF period, as on 3 December 1946 the station was handed over to the Royal Navy.

Royal Navy: 1946 - 1959

The Royal Navy took over Bramcote Station on 3 December 1946. It became known as Royal Navy Air Station, Bramcote 'HMS Gamecock'. The ship's badge was 'a gamecock proper' on white background with the motto 'spurred for the skies'
At the commissioning ceremony, captain G N Brewer DSO, Officer Commanding, remarked to the assembled gathering 'you have seen the white ensign hoisted for the first time about as far from the sea as it is possible in England. You are serving in the most inland 'stone frigate' in the country'.

This was the original anchor of H.M.S. Gamecock, which is situated just opposite the guardroom.

The main function of RNAS Bramcote was to be the technical training for Naval Airmen Aircraft Mechanics. About one thousand men were under training at any one time. After completing new entry and airmanship courses, the trainee then joined an aircraft carrier for one month's sea experience.

HMS Gamecock was also a centre for the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve (Air branch) and was used by 1833 (RNVR) Squadron. This squadron started its flying at Bramcote with Seafires (the naval version of the Spitfire). The early 1950s saw an expansion of the RNVR and in 1954, 1833 squadron got its eagerly awaited Sea Furies. There were also a small number of Firefly aircraft and on 15 February 1954, this element was formed into 1844 squadron, which concentrated on anti-submarine training. Both Squadrons were distinguished by having their spinners (propellers) painted red - this being the unofficial station colour. All aircraft based at Bramcote, were identified by the letters BR painted on the tail fin.

On 23 October 1955, 1833 squadron were moved to RAF Honiley - near Coventry - as they were to be equipped with jet aircraft as Bramcote had grass runways.
In March 1956, 1844 squadron re-equipped with Grumman Avengers. They no longer had red spinners but the cowlings now bore a red diamond with a squadron crest on a white inner.

HMS Gamecock, as the name implies, suggests an association with the game bird and it is believed that a cock-fighting pit did exist within the station perimeter - not far from the Officers Mess. It is not surprising to find therefore that the Navy had a mascot - yes - a gamecock. The first one was 'Wallis' - to be followed by many more and he was paraded in his spherical cage at ceremonial parades.

 The latest Gamecock Bird 30th Signal Regiment Mascot LCpl Jimmy

With the run down of the RNVR (Air Branch) Bramcote eventually became surplus to requirements for the Navy and the training was transferred to Arbroath. During the long run down the local press headlined the question 'what is to happen to HMS Gamecock? Their fears were alleviated by the announcement that the camp was to receive new tenants.

Army - 1959 onwards

In 1959 the barracks was taken over by the Junior Leaders Regiment Royal Artillery. The Regiment was tasked with producing the future NCOs and warrant officers for the Artillery. The training included skill-at-arms, drill, fieldcraft, first aid, NBC, leadership, character training, map reading, education, physical training, gunnery and signals.

The regiment was divided into four batteries - 2, 33, 39 and 40. Each battery consisted of four troops. Each battery and troop carried the name of a famous gunner of the past. Camaraderie was built up through the system of troops and batteries and there was a great deal of healthy competition in all areas, especially sport.

The decision to restructure the training base of the British army in the early 1990s for a while saw Bramcote as the home of one of the two Army Junior Leader Regiments. Under the new scheme of things the Regiment accommodated a battery of Junior Gunners, a Junior Guards Company, a Junior Queens Company and a Junior Prince of Wales Company. However this new scheme did not last long as a decision to scrap junior intakes was made with the final intake passing off in June 1993.

After some months of uncertainty it was decided that Gamecock Barracks would become the new home of 30th Signal Regiment. The Regiment took over the camp in September 1993, completing it's move from Blandford by November.