RAF Lakenheath History RAF Lakenheath has been an air base for more than 50 years. But the area’s affiliation with military units predates even the earliest aircraft. Iron Age and Celtic warriors watered their horses at the base’s pond. Roman legionnaires were garrisoned nearby and evidence of a Roman villa has been found beneath what is now RAF Lakenheath High School. RAF Lakenheath’s history continues even further back, almost rendering the term "Roman" a contemporary word. Primordial seas that once covered England laid down layers of chalk several hundred feet thick over most of East Anglia. As the waters retreated, glacial activity pushed sands southward. The glacial retreat left East Anglia with several fresh-water ponds fed by underground springs bubbling up through fissures in the chalk layers, as well as a layer of soil capable of nurturing vegetation. One of those springs still exists on RAF Lakenheath today and has been a fresh-water source for at least 8,000 years. Evidence of occupation near Caudle Head Mere (a Saxon term), more commonly known as Peacekeeper Park, can be found as early as the Mesolithic (Middle Stone Age) period. Flint tools dating back nearly 8,000 years have been found throughout RAF Lakenheath, indicating that early man found the area not only habitable, but capable of supporting domestic animals. Rabbits Rabbits accompanied the Normans across the English Channel primarily as a source of food for the occupational armies. As the Norman forces settled in the area between Bury St. Edmunds and Thetford, the rabbits found the sandy soil ideal for making burrows. The sand, blown in from the coastal areas, covered areas left largely barren from overgrazing. The results were large, open areas with sparse vegetation. These areas were soon home to large warrens. From the 12th century onward, the Normans frequently harvested these rabbits and eventually constructed earthworks around the warrens to prevent poaching. Some of these earthworks can be seen near the Wangford Gate today. In 1253, the Bishop of Ely granted a Charter of Free Warren to Lakenheath, allowing the landowner to harvest rabbits as he pleased. Shortly thereafter, during the early 14th century, warren lodges were constructed to oversee the warrens and their respective rabbit populations. The lodges, essentially fortified fortress-like cottages, protected the warren keeper and served as a safe haven for the rabbit pelts which later proved to be quite valuable during the Tudor monarchy. Two cottages were built on or near RAF Lakenheath. One existed on the site of the old control tower, its aging fruit trees the only evidence of its existence. The other, built a few yards northeast of the current Brandon Road, monitored the eastern part of the warren. Rabbit felt was used extensively in the hat-making industry until the early 20th century. During the 19th century, hatmakers used mercury as a binding element for the pelt. Since the liquid metal is absorbed through the skin into the bloodstream, it settled in the nervous system, resulting in nerve disorders. It’s thought that the term "Mad as a Hatter" was first coined in either Brandon or Thetford. Flint Flint mining within the area also proved to be an important industry. Since cottages and shops were constructed with native materials, flint napping (the term for shaping flints) proved to be a valuable trade for many Breckland residents. A shortage of gun flints during the Napoleonic period also gave the economy a boost in the 18th and 19th centuries. Many of the "throwaways," or flawed pieces can be found in fields on and around RAF Lakenheath. Flint mining within the area also proved to be an important industry. Since cottages and shops were constructed with native materials, flint napping (the term for shaping flints) proved to be a valuable trade for many Breckland residents. A shortage of gun flints during the Napoleonic period also gave the economy a boost in the 18th and 19th centuries. Many of the "throwaways," or flawed pieces can be found in fields on and around RAF Lakenheath. Other valuables Chalk also proved to be a valuable commodity. Chunks of the white material were cut from the ground and used as building material. Known as "clunch," these white blocks can still be seen in buildings and fences around Lakenheath village today. Throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries the residents of the warren continued to use Lakenheath as common land, grazing their flocks on the slopes near Maid’s Croft Hill (the high area north of the flightline) and the fertile areas near the pond until the area was selected as a military site. At the outset of World War I, the Royal Flying Corps established several training areas around Lakenheath Warren, one of which was a few hundred yards from the current rod and gun club complex. A number of units were stationed in the area with at least two American units attached to the corps for training. Reforesting Following World War I, an effort was made to reforest the landscape made bare by harvesting trees for the war effort. Large plantations around Thetford, Brandon, and other areas were planted as a government scheme to replenish Britain with sorely needed wood. Many of these groves, all planted in rows, can be seen today in Thetford Forest. Landowners also planted pine trees around fields and roads to prevent further sand blows from damaging crops and prevent migrating sands from covering open fields. Several stands of trees were planted during the last quarter of the 19th century and are clearly visible behind the hospital, along Plymouth Road.