J.A.Wilson's WWII Scrapbook of aeroplanes

J A Wilson Scrapbook

This scrapbook was the creation of J.A.Wilson who lived at the Falcon Inn on the southern perimeter of what was then RAF Aldermaston but is now A.W.E.

The scrapbook can be read below as it was photographed and a PDF made of it  in November 2022.

It is a young boy’s passion for WWII aircraft in the form of newspaper and magazine cuttings. J.A. Wilson would have seen many aeroplanes flying in and out of the airfield next door to where he lived. It is also highly likely that he would have conversed with the USAF pilots and ground staff that undoubtedly visited the Falcon Inn. He is also likely to be aware that there was a Spitfire assembly factory approximately a mile from his home.

It is curious that J.A. called his home “Falcon Cottage” rather than The Falcon Inn, which was in existence at the time, as evidenced in the 1939 Census.

This scrapbook was given to the Aldermaston History Group by Christopher Pile of St Osyth, Essex in November 2022. Christopher wrote:

Too many years ago to remember where or how, I found an old scrap book compiled by a child, J A Wilson, who at the time lived at Falcon Cottage,  Aldermaston. Does it still stand? The item recently resurfaced as I was have a sort of of my many WW2 books. He used a school exercise book for his project which contains 24 pages of various cuttings with some pages of his own writings. The book is now quite fragile, but legible.
I have attached photos of a few of the pages for you. I wondered whether it would be of interest to your group? If so I’m happy to let you have it.

It is very fragile and is in need of some work to protect it, especially if it is handled too much. After all it’s at least around 77 years old. I just wish I could remember where I found it. I have a feeling it was in a skip with some other WW2 magazines and a hard back book.

If you know anything further about the The Falcon Inn during WW2 or about J.A.Wilson please add a comment to this story.