December 11, 2013 3.18 pm This story is over 122 months old

Wartime compass donated to Lincoln school

Air Force memorabilia: A wartime Lancaster compass has been donated to William Farr School to help construct its very own RAF museum.

William Farr School, built on the site of the former RAF Dunholme Lodge, has been gifted a genuine wartime Lancaster compass to help construct its own RAF museum.

The school has collected an archive of Air Force memorabilia and is currently on the hunt for a World War II Nissen hut before submitting a £100,000 Lottery bid for the project.

One visitor was so impressed with the collection that he decided to donate his Lancaster compass so it could go on permanent display.

William Hooker, from North Hykeham, bought the P4A compass after the war and has kept it safe for more than five decades.

But after a visit to the school with RAF Cranwell Branch of The Royal Aeronautical Society, the 75-year-old decided to donate his own piece of history.

Mr Hooker, who bought the compass after the war from a shop selling ex-service equipment, said:

“On a visit to the school to view the very interesting collection gathered so far, I was very impressed with the whole idea of setting up a museum within the school in memory of those brave men who helped to secure our freedom.

“I wanted the compass to survive and I thought this would be the perfect place for it to be preserved and seen by people. Now I know that if I come across any other pieces of RAF history that a good home awaits.”

Headteacher Andy Stones, said: “We are thrilled by the very generous gift. It will really enhance our collection and we can’t wait to put it on permanent display.

“We are glad Mr Hooker is so supportive of our plans and we hope he, and his colleagues at the Society will visit the museum when we have opened it.

“The museum will be a constant reminder to the pupils of the many brave men and women who sacrificed themselves for others. It will be an inspiration to all of the school community.”