Jamie Heffer

Chairman of Trustees, RAF Bircham Newton Heritage Centre, United Kingdom Norfolk.

Sharing stories of the former RAF Bircham Newton - 1918 to 1962.

[Jamie Heffer @JHeffer92]

Was a really great recording this with Jane and James I had a great time!

[NeverMindTheDambusters @RAFBomber_Pod]

Good morning and welcome to Series 3!! We get off to a cracking start, with a discussion about Bomber Command's greatest enemy - the weather. We welcome back @MiniHeff
to discuss the crucial work of the Met Flights.

https://t.co/euGU5NWIqO

[Jamie Heffer @JHeffer92]

'Carry On Prisoner!'
86 years ago today, No. 826 Fleet Air Arm Squadron took off from Bircham Newton for an anti-shipping strike against a convoy that had been spotted off the Dutch Frisian Islands. Eight of the squadron’s Fairey Albacores took off for the attack, but the position of the convoy had been incorrectly given. The aircraft were ordered to hunt for individual targets, but this then turned into a bombing raid against De Kooy airfield. The Albacores were attacked by a group of enemy fighter aircraft, and one Albacore was shot down with the loss of its entire crew: Lt J. L. Bell, S/Lt F. B. Hookins and NA1 R. G. Poole.

A second Albacore was shot down immediately afterwards. This aircraft crash-landed on Texel. The pilot, S/Lt W. S. Butterworth, and L/A R. J. Jackson were taken prisoner. S/Lt V. J. Dyke died as a result of the wounds he suffered.

S/Lt Butterworth spent the remainder of the war in Stalag Luft III. While in the camp, he struck up a friendship with Talbot Rothwell. The pair started a theatre in the camp and performed many different plays. Talbot Rothwell went on to write many of the famous “Carry On” films, and Peter Butterworth starred in a number of them.

[Jamie Heffer @JHeffer92]

@clark_aviation I believe it came down in such a specific spot, plus there may have been numbers still visible on the prop itself to identif it. Not entirely sure, but whoever researched and mounted it on its plinth must have had reason to believe it was that specific aircraft.

[Jamie Heffer @JHeffer92]

If you ever find yourself in the coastal Norfolk village of Brancaster Staithe and you're on the lookout for a Bircham Newton relic, you will find one in the car park behind the White Horse Pub. It is a propeller that was dragged out of the sea by local fishermen in 2018. The propeller belonged to a Bircham Newton Bristol Blenheim (L6641) of No. 254 Squadron. The pilot of the aircraft, Flying Officer William Pennington BAIN, made a forced landing in the sea near Scolt Head Island on the 6th of January 1940. Thankfully, he and his crew were unhurt and lived to tell the tale.

Always worth stopping for a look if you are in the area!

[Jamie Heffer @JHeffer92]

The Heritage Centre is open tomorrow from 10am to 4pm, do consider dropping by if you are in the area!

https://t.co/wIS7BTB2Sb

[Polish Heritage Flight @FlightPolish]

🚨 EVENT ALERT: A Fight For Victory & A Freedom Lost 🚨

Following on from the very succesful ‘Polish Air Force Days’ over the past few years, join us for a powerful and unforgettable day commemorating Polands part in the Second World War.

Polish Heritage Flight, in proud partnership with Battle of Britain Bunker Uxbridge and We Have Ways of Making You Talk Independent Company, presents:

A Fight For Victory & A Freedom Lost

📅 Saturday 11th July 2026

🕙 10:00 – 16:30

What’s happening:
• Exclusive Bunker Tours
• Polish Air Force Exhibition & Displays
• Polish History & Heritage Displays
• Inspiring talks and a special panel discussion
Speakers:

• George Dziedzic – “Two Paths One War: A Journey of Polish Resilience and Service”

• Krys Ianowski – “Polish Eagle in Stolen Skies: My Father’s Wartime Career in 4 Air Forces”

• Panel Discussion:
Phoebe Style talks to

•Jenny Grant
• Claire Mulley
• Alina Nowobilska

about the end of the Second World War, Poland’s fate, and a Victory Won but a Freedom Lost.

This is a unique opportunity to honour the incredible contribution of Poland and learn the often-overlooked stories of resilience, sacrifice, and the fight for freedom.

🎟 Tickets available now!

👉 https://t.co/KAR3tYBo3B

Don’t miss this special day of history, remembrance, and inspiration. Bring family and friends — these stories deserve to be heard!

#PolishHeritageFlight #BattleOfBritain #PolishAirForce #WW2History #Uxbridge #WeHaveWays #LestWeForget #AviationHistory

@claremulley
@SilenceInPolish
@ph0ebestyle

[Jamie Heffer @JHeffer92]

Cracked out the steady hand today, and highlighted the text on the rear of the memorial stone. Must say, think I did a pretty fine job. Added an old photo of what it looked like before and now its new look. Very pleased.

[Jamie Heffer @JHeffer92]

@martin_wil10992 @Niels_1944 They certainly were. Really high losses!

[Jamie Heffer @JHeffer92]

@martin_wil10992 Thank you mate! Very much so, Thornaby definitely has strong ties with Bircham Newton. The back and forth of Squadrons and crews between the two over the war was immense. Appreciate the kind words.

[Jamie Heffer @JHeffer92]

I have recently had some moments alone at the Heritage Centre for reflection. I have been thinking back to late 2021, when I was offered the position of Chairman of RAF Bircham Newton Heritage Centre, and the journey I have been on since then.

At the time, I had no idea how to run a Heritage Centre. My knowledge of Bircham Newton was very limited at best, as I had only been a volunteer for a couple of years (Covid had interfered with that). Seeing how far I have come over the years is a bit mind-blowing. I have practically become a walking encyclopaedia about the site, especially its inter-war and Second World War history. Personally, I think the history of the site has been largely forgotten, with many people never having heard of ‘Bircham Newton’ despite it being one of the most important RAF Sites during the 1920s and 30s plus, It was one of the Key RAF Coastal Command stations in 16 Group during World War Two.

I sometimes forget the number of hours and the amount of work I have put into the Heritage Centre, the major changes to the displays, the maintenance, the opening of new rooms to display items, and the enormous task of creating an archive and recording as much of the site’s history as possible, including the squadrons and the men and women who served there during its 44 years as an RAF station. Sometimes, it can be a stressful endeavour. The organisation of visits and open days, the workload of research and creating new displays, replying to mountains of correspondence, keeping on top of charity paperwork, and everything else that comes with it, all while trying to earn a living Monday to Friday in a regular job, can take its toll and be really exhausting. There are dark days where I think I am not good enough for the position and that I am not living up to the expectations of others, I believe the term is ‘Imposter Syndrome’. After all, I never went to any university or have a degree in history. I just grew up with an interest in Military History. I try my best to overcome this line of thinking but sometimes it can get the better of me when having a hard day. Despite the difficulties, I am absolutely committed to sharing the history of Bircham Newton and its satellite airfields with everyone I can.

I was 26 years old when I joined as a volunteer and 29 when I took over as chairman. Finding someone as young as me running an aviation heritage centre is rare indeed. It has also made me extremely aware of the lack of volunteers and manpower faced by heritage museums as a whole. Not only is the manpower shortage alarming, but so too are the increasing costs faced by heritage centres simply to remain open. It is also a frightening thought that, as the years tick by, there will be fewer and fewer people available to keep these sorts of organisations going. A couple of years ago, I attended a meeting of around 20 different aviation heritage centres and museums in East Anglia. Many of the representatives of their respective museums shared sombre news about difficulties with finance, visitor numbers, and available volunteer help. While attending, I realised that I was the youngest person in attendance; the next youngest was at least 35 years older than me which was a scary realisation. I only hope that, as we move into the future, younger people will step up and get more involved in keeping the sharing of our history alive for future generations.

Despite everything, I will continue for years to come to keep RAF Bircham Newton Heritage Centre going and sharing its absolutely fascinating history. Who knows, I might even find the time to write a book about it one day! Thanks to everyone who has visited and supported us over the years, and I hope you will continue to enjoy the content I share here and on the Facebook group.

[Jamie Heffer @JHeffer92]

@LydiaJane13 Thank you, Jane! Means a great deal to hear that from you.

[Jamie Heffer @JHeffer92]

@SimonMassey123 @BofBBunker Thank you, Simon, like wise, look forward to seeing you in July!

[Jamie Heffer @JHeffer92]

@morningwatson @WeHaveWaysPod Thank you! Though you must mean the @RAFBomber_Pod, I've never been on the we have ways pod! Though maybe one day!

[Jamie Heffer @JHeffer92]

@WHW_HighlandIC Thanks Bill! Really appreciate the kind words and its nice to know that I am not alone in that feeling!

[Polish Heritage Flight @FlightPolish]

🗓️ Dates For Your Diary!

We’ve a busy few weeks in the run up to the departure for the Duxford To Deblin Flight. (More Detail on that to follow soon!)

As we chase down the final 25% (£7397) of our target you can see the Hurricane or/and our ‘PHF Pop-Up’ Exhibition at the following events!

🗓️27th & 28th June Festival of Flight Airshow - The Shuttleworth Collection - Old Warden @ShuttleworthTru

🗓️11th July Polish Air Force Day - Battle of Britain Bunker Uxbridge @BofBBunker

🗓️17th - 19th July Runway25 The Summer Fly-In - Wolverhampton Halfpenny Green Airport @runway25shop

🗓️25th July Summer Airshow - The Shuttleworth Collection Old Warden @svas_oldwarden

🇬🇧🇵🇱(Date/funding TBC) August - Duxford To Deblin

📸 DUXFORDfotoGALLERY

#hurricane #spitfire #poland
#airshow #airshowphotography

[Jamie Heffer @JHeffer92]

Open day at the Heritage Centre today, Sunday, June 14th. Looking forward to it, hopefully we will have a good number of visitors!

[Jamie Heffer @JHeffer92]

Open day tomorrow at RAF Bircham Newton Heritage Centre! From 10am until 4pm. Look forward to seeing those of you that can make it.

https://t.co/vXNPtiTLXq

[Jamie Heffer @JHeffer92]

The back of this photo is marked as 'DH9s of No. 207 Squadron, Bircham Newton 1920'.

No. 207 Squadron reformed at Bircham Newton in February 1920, commanded by Squadron Leader Arthur Tedder. Interestingly, 207 Squadron is still serving in Norfolk, currently at RAF Marham.