There's something about Henry in ghostly tale at old Telford air base
New owners of an old wartime airfield in Shropshire were today told to expect to take on an unusual 'tenant' – a ghost called Henry.
Henry is easily recognisable, because he is dressed in World War Two flying gear and has ginger hair.
The airbase at High Ercall, near Telford, has been bought by the Greenhous Group which aims to develop the site to store vehicles and prepare them for sale.
Locals say staff moving in should keep an eye out for Henry – although he is known as a friendly ghost who means no harm.
One of Shropshire's busiest wartime airfields, housing fighter squadrons during the Blitz, the military complex at High Ercall closed in the early 1960s and it was then used for many years as a Multi Occupational Training and Education Centre – or Motec – run by the Road Transport Industry Training Board. Later the site became known as Centrex, and later still, the Angel Centre.
Geoff Lloyd, of Talbot Fields, High Ercall, said: "High Ercall,was a former RAF flying station and became home to a number of flying units, including the Yanks."
He said there were many fatal accidents there and many of the airmen who went through the airbase were killed in action.
Stories of a ghost have come following a number of sightings and the story has spread through the community over the years.
Mr Lloyd said: "Our churchyard is home to a number of military graves. At some particular time my wife, Pauline, worked at Motec restaurant and was to become manager. One day, a very scared young teenage motor apprentice went for his midday meal and revealed that he'd seen a ghost seated at the table in his room. He shouted: 'Hey, who are you?'The apparition clad in World War Two flying garb disappeared."
Mr Lloyd added: "Staff gave the spectre the friendly name 'Henry'. Witnesses all said the same – that the ghostly presence had ginger hair."
