Why was Yateley Common requisitioned during WW2?

Along with much other common land in the south east of England, Yateley Common was requisitioned during World War 2. All the part of the common west of Cricket Hill was requisitioned for a major 3-runway airfield then known as RAF Hartfordbridge. The remainder of the common was used for army training. Of course some of the common was already owned by the War Department since they had purchased the Minley Manor estate from the Currie family in 1936.

The Yateley Society mounted a major exhibition in Yateley Library in 2004 to celebrate the 60th anniversary of D-Day. The text of just four of the display cards can be accessed by clicking the links below.

Airfield Construction at Yateley

Allied Liberation of Europe

Yateley and D-Day - Air Support

Air Chief Marshall Sir William MacDonald

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