'FORGOTTEN' wartime heroines are being remembered at a new exhibition which sheds light on Worcestershire's vital role in the Second World War.

The visitor centre at the National Trust's Croome estate, near Upton, was once part of the top secret wartime airbase RAF Defford and now houses a museum dedicated to its history.

The base’s technical activities were cloaked in secrecy and the important role of women at this 'mystery airfield' has been even less well known up until now.

But now the lid is being lifted on that period in the site's history thanks to the new exhibition 'Women of RAF Defford - Heroines of Croome at War'.

Dr Bob Shaw, chairman of Defford Airfield Heritage Group, said: "The achievements of WAAFs, Wrens and women scientists and technicians who served at RAF Defford makes a fascinating story and is full of surprises. They made a vital contribution."

The secret airfield, with buildings in the parkland of Croome, was the centre of the British development of airborne radars.

The base played a crucial role in victory for the Allies in the war, and the defence of the West in the Cold War which followed.

By 1945, there were well over 2,500 people at RAF Defford and of these, up to 600 were women, including WAAFs, Wrens (who as expert radar operators flew as aircrew in Fleet Air Arm aircraft based at Defford), distinguished women scientists who flew on radar trials, technicians and other women civilians in essential roles.

To mark the opening of the exhibition, Pamela Walker unveiled a mounted photograph of her late sister Doreen Boller (formerly WAAF Wilson) in the visitor centre, which was once the sick quarters of the airbase.

WAAF Wilson was posted to RAF Defford in 1943 to become the secretary to the Senior Medical Officer. During her time there, she had a motorcycle accident and cut her face and leg which needed treatment.

She was admitted to the sick quarters, now the visitor centre restaurant at Croome. She would normally have been sent to the RAF hospital in Evesham, but the senior medical officer is said to have insisted she remain at RAF Defford where she could be available to take shorthand notes.

“This is a wonderful day and I am so proud to see my sister’s photograph on display” said Mrs Walker. “Doreen’s three sons are here to witness this honour and it’s lovely to see veterans of RAF Defford here today too.

“We never knew what Doreen did here at RAF Defford at the time and she would only say when she came home, ‘everything’s fine’ or ‘it’s a bit harrowing at the moment'.

“Only when she was in her 70s did she elaborate a little and I was so upset, but proud, to hear of the things she experienced in the sick quarters when young men were brought in from plane crashes."

The exhibition is open daily from 11am to 4pm and a lecture on the subject is taking place on Monday, February 1 between 5pm and 6pm.

Tickets cost £15 per person and can be booked by calling 01905 371006.