Editing Coltishall (section)

==RAF Coltishall==
[[RAF Coltishall]] was opened in 1939 as a fighter station of the [[Royal Air Force]] during the Second World War. It became home to [[No. 242 Squadron RAF]], which was largely composed of Canadian personnel who had suffered heavy losses in the [[Battle of France]]. Morale within the unit was low, and on 24 June 1940, the squadron was placed under the command of the legless fighter ace [[Douglas Bader]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Douglas Bader Fighter Pilot – A Fighter Pilot Again |url=https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/research/online-exhibitions/douglas-bader-fighter-pilot/a-fighter-pilot-again.aspx |website=RAF Museum |access-date=11 May 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=24 June 1940 – Douglas Bader Takes Command of 242 Squadron |url=https://www.thisdayinaviation.com/24-june-1940-douglas-bader-takes-command-of-242-squadron/ |website=This Day in Aviation |access-date=11 May 2025}}</ref> Bader quickly restored discipline, reshaped the squadron’s reputation, and led it effectively through the early stages of the [[Battle of Britain]].

RAF Coltishall remained an active RAF station throughout the Cold War, later becoming a base for [[English Electric Lightning]] and [[SEPECAT Jaguar]] aircraft. The station was operational until its closure in November 2006, following a review by the [[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)|Ministry of Defence]].<ref>{{cite web |title=MNF7697 - RAF Coltishall |url=https://www.heritage.norfolk.gov.uk/record-details?MNF7697 |website=Norfolk Heritage Explorer |access-date=11 May 2025}}</ref>

The main technical site was subsequently repurposed as [[HM Prison Bure]], a Category C prison for adult male offenders.<ref>{{cite web |date=2022-08-02 |title=Bure Prison |url=https://www.gov.uk/guidance/bure-prison |website=GOV.UK |access-date=11 May 2025}}</ref>

The adjoining married quarters and residential area were renamed **Badersfield** in honour of Douglas Bader. Although closely associated with RAF Coltishall, Badersfield does not fall within the civil parish of Coltishall. Instead, it lies partly in the parish of [[Scottow]] (in the [[North Norfolk]] district) and partly in the parish of [[Buxton with Lammas]] (in the [[Broadland]] district).<ref>{{cite web |title=RAF Coltishall (Badersfield) Planning Brief |url=https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/view/12442597/raf-coltishall-badersfield-north-norfolk-district-council |website=North Norfolk District Council |access-date=11 May 2025}}</ref>