York House

(brief historical notes)

Prince Albert, Duke of York (later HM King George VI) was appointed to the Royal Naval Air Station, Cranwell, from February to August 1918. The Prince was initially appointed as Officer in Charge of Boys and later became OC No 4 Squadron. He lived in a small brick building, built in 1917, to the North of the original Officers’ Mess; it became known as York House. This small building is currently in use by RAF College Cranwell chaplains and a plaque hangs in one of the rooms celebrating its royal occupancy.

To replace the old brick/wood/corrugated iron Officers’ Mess originally built in 1917, a new Officers’ Mess was built on the old site and was officially opened in 1935. During the opening ceremony a thunderbolt struck the sundial and its solid concrete foundation was broken into pieces and thrown some distance away.

On 26 January 1938 HM King George VI visited Cranwell. He inspected his old rooms and toured the Officers’ Mess.

The Mess remained in use for ‘Staff’ officers, i.e. members of the teaching or directing staff, and was sometimes referred to as ‘No 1 Mess’. By 1965 the Students’ Mess or ‘No 2 Mess’ was built, this Mess is now known as Trenchard Mess. Flight Cadets were always housed separately in the College or Junior Cadets’ Mess.

A reorganisation of the Officers’ Messes at RAF College Cranwell took place in c1973-4. To consolidate its association with Prince Albert, Duke of York, it was renamed York House Officers’ Mess and was occupied by the Department of Air Warfare staff and student officers.

In 1996 the Central Flying School started to use the Mess. In 1997 it was renamed ‘York House’ when all messes dropped the ‘O for officers’ and ‘M for Mess’ on the opening of Daedalus Mess.

York House Officers Mess currently provides messing facilities for members of 45 (Reserve) and 55 (Reserve) Squadrons as well as other permanent and visiting officers.

All accommodation at RAF College Cranwell is booked via the accommodation cell. Further Details of the facilities available can be found on the RAF College Cranwell Intranet.