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Cannock Chase is also associated with the military history of the Second World War. In 1938 the building of a training school was begun on Brindley Heath, (on the area south of the Visitor Centre).

It was opened in 1939 by the Secretary of State for Air, Sir Kingsley Wood. Its official title was the No. 6 School of Technical Training but is better known as RAF Hednesford.

During the War many thousands of men and and a smaller number of women received their basic training at the camp, before being posted to all parts of the country.

The training focused on the maintenance of the air frames and engines of the RAF planes.

At its height the camp was the size of a small town with its own facilities including a cinema, NAAFI, YMCA and churches. Later it was unique having a Jewish Synagogue.

A railway halt was built at Moors Gorse and the recruits had to trudge, with their heavy bags, up the long climb of Marquis Drive. This soon became known as Kit Bag Hill. At the Visitor Centre there is an Old Comrades Book for service personnel who served at RAF Hednesford to sign.

There is now a National Service (Royal Air Force) Association with regular reunions.

Further details from Membership Secretary Mike Crowe at nsraf@btopenworld.com. You can also visit the National Service (Royal Air Force) Association (NSRAFA) Website where you can find your old comrades, local meetings, members profiles and more.

The RAF Visitors Centre is administered by Staffordshire County Council - so for all queries and comments regarding this please contact them on 01785 223121.

For other information on local leisure and culture issues please see below for contact information.

• 1. Cannock Chase and the Great War
• 2. RAF Hednesford - Second World War « You are here
• 3. After the War
• 4. Useful Military Links

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