SILLOTH AIRFIELD: A hidden hero of the Second World War
Silloth Airfield
A hidden hero of the Second World War.
by Jonathan Fraser, Cumbria and the Borders History
Once a busy RAF base preparing aircraft and training aircrews, Silloth Airfield played a vital role in Britain’s wartime defence before becoming part of the town’s lasting heritage.
Today, many people remember Silloth Airfield for its former Sunday market and car boot sale, but during the Second World War it played an important role in Britain’s war effort.
Built on 460 acres of farmland in 1938, it opened in June 1939 as No. 22 Maintenance Unit, storing and preparing aircraft for service. Hundreds of Hawker Hurricanes were equipped here before flying to operational stations during the Battle of Britain, while No. 1 Operational Training Unit trained aircrew from Britain, the USA, Canada and Poland.
To protect the airfield, two decoy sites with wooden aircraft were built at Pelutho and Westnewton to confuse enemy bombers.
The arrival of military personnel and civilian workers transformed Silloth, with many local families opening their homes to newcomers. Training over the nearby Solway Firth was often dangerous, earning it the nickname “Hudson Bay” after the many Hudson bombers lost there. Today, 63 Commonwealth war graves at Causewayhead Cemetery stand as a lasting reminder of those who never returned.
After the war, Silloth Airfield repaired, refurbished and dismantled surplus aircraft, including Lancasters, Mosquitos and Dakotas, before closing in 1961. Although flying has long since ended, the airfield remains a proud part of Silloth’s history, and its story can still be explored on the Silloth Airfield Project trail.
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