History
During the 2nd World War it would appear that the camp formed part of RAF Woodcote where 70MU (Maintenance Unit) was based. The site was also used to
house Italian Prisoners of War.
After WW2 The site was later used by American soldiers.
Then In 1948 Checkendon Camp was acquired from the MOD by the National Assistance Board and turned into a hostel housing displaced Polish families arriving from the Middle East and Africa. As with all the camps/hostels accommodation was very basic, corrugated Nissen huts and strategically placed ablution blocks but after nearly 8 years in exile and crossing 3 continents, Polish people soon adapted to their new conditions. Checkendon became one of many bustling Polish enclaves with its own church and priest , school and entertainments, a hall were culture and traditions were strictly observed. Many of the residents were actively involved in the camp's social life, there was a lively amateur dramatics group putting on plays, a choir that sung both Polish and English songs and a traditional Polish dance group. A 6 person dance band played regularly at dances held in the camp's entertainment hall and weekly film shows were held there too. There was a well stocked library with both Polish and English books, a youth club, and a table tennis and chess group. Life in Checkendon was similar to all the other Camps/Hostels throughout the UK. The camp finally closed in the early 60s.
Sometime After closure permission was given for light industrial use, Rentokil had a wood treatment plant there and today a timber yard operates on what would have been part of the camp.
The Explore
After finding out about this place on a local Facebook group i decided to take the short journey to the picturesque village of Checkendon .
Nestled not so deeply in the checkendon woods sits the remains of the once thriving camp.
Sadly not much remains now with most the buildings and huts just shells of there former self's.
Most filled with old bits of timber from the nearby timber yard and more randomly some sort of old out building filled with bags and bags of old beer/ fizzy pop cans .
However it did get slightly better with the last building filled with random bottles of chemicals possibly left behind by Retokil and an old null detector!
During the 2nd World War it would appear that the camp formed part of RAF Woodcote where 70MU (Maintenance Unit) was based. The site was also used to
house Italian Prisoners of War.
After WW2 The site was later used by American soldiers.
Then In 1948 Checkendon Camp was acquired from the MOD by the National Assistance Board and turned into a hostel housing displaced Polish families arriving from the Middle East and Africa. As with all the camps/hostels accommodation was very basic, corrugated Nissen huts and strategically placed ablution blocks but after nearly 8 years in exile and crossing 3 continents, Polish people soon adapted to their new conditions. Checkendon became one of many bustling Polish enclaves with its own church and priest , school and entertainments, a hall were culture and traditions were strictly observed. Many of the residents were actively involved in the camp's social life, there was a lively amateur dramatics group putting on plays, a choir that sung both Polish and English songs and a traditional Polish dance group. A 6 person dance band played regularly at dances held in the camp's entertainment hall and weekly film shows were held there too. There was a well stocked library with both Polish and English books, a youth club, and a table tennis and chess group. Life in Checkendon was similar to all the other Camps/Hostels throughout the UK. The camp finally closed in the early 60s.
Sometime After closure permission was given for light industrial use, Rentokil had a wood treatment plant there and today a timber yard operates on what would have been part of the camp.
The Explore
After finding out about this place on a local Facebook group i decided to take the short journey to the picturesque village of Checkendon .
Nestled not so deeply in the checkendon woods sits the remains of the once thriving camp.
Sadly not much remains now with most the buildings and huts just shells of there former self's.
Most filled with old bits of timber from the nearby timber yard and more randomly some sort of old out building filled with bags and bags of old beer/ fizzy pop cans .
However it did get slightly better with the last building filled with random bottles of chemicals possibly left behind by Retokil and an old null detector!
