RAF Headley Court

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

RAF Headley Court is a non-flying Royal Air Force station near Leatherhead in Headley, Surrey, England.

Headley Court became the headquarters of Canadian forces in Europe and Headley Heath was used as a training ground for engineers building airstrips and trench systems then demolishing them again.

Purchased after World War II with money from the "Royal Air Force Pilots and Crews Fund", a public collection as a tribute to the deeds of the RAF, Headley Court is now the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre, which aims to return all those service personnel injured or seriously ill to full fitness.

Whilst the rehabilitation areas of the Unit are second to none, the accommodation leaves a lot to be desired. It is typical to share a 6 man room and to have bunk beds ! The paint and plaster is falling off the walls in many places and there a plenty of areas of mould.

The communal showers offer no privacy whatsoever and the toilets often have no seats left on them. In the ablutions there is a washing machin and the old style drying room. This accommodation is what 'Project SLAM' forgot !

The food in the mess is superb, and the catering staff will attempt to provide a varied and healthy selection - ask them if they can make a dish (for all) and invariably they will have it on the menu in a few days.

The Mess bar facilities leave a little to be desired, but then the unit is small and encouraging health ! The NAAFI bar is of a better standard, but snr's are not allowed in.

There is a small shop on the accommodation site that provides all the daily needs, and the DELC offers internet access during office hours.

The location of the unit is another huge factor. Located in a rural area surrounded by woods, evening strolls are wonderful and the flora and fauna make up for a lot of the problems in the accommodation.

Come on RAF - dig deep and sort out the accommodation and this unit will be second to none.