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WRAF Mess Hut at Cranwell, WW1
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WRAF Mess Hut at Cranwell, WW1
Scene inside the WRAF (Womens Royal Air Force) Mess Hut at Cranwell, probably during the First World War. The Royal Naval Air Service Central Training Establishment Cranwell was commissioned on 1 April 1916, under the command of Commodore Godfrey M. Paine. Cranwell later became known as HMS Daedalus. In addition to flying training and airship operations, a Boys Training Wing was also established at Cranwell. Its task was to train Naval ratings as air mechanics and riggers. With the amalgamation of the RNAS and the Royal Flying Corps on 1 April 1918, ownership of Cranwell was placed in the hands of the RAF. The former Naval base title was replaced by the designation Royal Air Force Station Cranwell. Date: c.1918
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Media ID 14159300
© Mary Evans Picture Library
Break Cranwell Daedalus Eating Establishment Females Lincolnshire Meal Meals Mess Role Roles Services Tables Trestle Wraf
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EDITORS COMMENTS
A Moment of Respite: WRAFs Gather in the Mess Hut at Cranwell during WWI Amidst the rigors of training and the demands of the First World War, the Women's Royal Air Force (WRAF) personnel at Cranwell found solace and camaraderie within the walls of their Mess Hut. Located at the Royal Air Force Station Cranwell in Lincolnshire, England, this image captures a scene from around 1918, during a time when the former Royal Naval Air Service Central Training Establishment was undergoing a significant transformation. Commissioned on 1 April 1916, Cranwell was initially under the command of Commodore Godfrey M. Paine. The base was known for its flying training and airship operations, as well as its Boys Training Wing, which prepared Naval ratings for careers as air mechanics and riggers. With the amalgamation of the Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Naval Air Service on 1 April 1918, Cranwell became a part of the Royal Air Force, and its title was changed to RAF Station Cranwell. In this photograph, WRAFs dressed in their distinctive uniforms take a break from their duties to enjoy a meal together. The long trestle tables, laden with plates and cutlery, provide a communal space for the women to share stories, laughter, and support. The simple yet heartwarming scene serves as a poignant reminder of the vital roles these women played during wartime, both on the home front and in the skies above. As the sun sets on another day of training at Cranwell, the WRAFs take comfort in the familiar surroundings of their Mess Hut, knowing that they are part of a larger mission to support the war effort. This image offers a glimpse into the lives of these remarkable women, whose contributions to the history of the Royal Air Force continue to inspire and captivate us today.
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