RAF Wittering has had a busy and fascinating past, playing many important roles in conflicts throughout history, including acting as a base for fighter planes such as Hawker Demons and Hurricanes, and then later as a centre for rehabilitation for returning prisoners of war.

Aircraft based at Wittering were also involved in testing the UK's nuclear weapons.

RAF Wittering began life in 1916 when Stamford airfield was established on Wittering Heath as a Royal Flying Corps base for No 38 Home Defence Squadron's anti- Zeppelin BE2C and BE12 fighters.

In 1917, it became the home of No 1 Training Depot Stamford and No 5 Training Depot was established at Easton on the Hill, located on the western end of the present airfield.

Both sites operated independently of each other.

As a result of the formation of the Royal Air Force on April 1, 1918, the Stamford Depot was renamed RAF Wittering and the Easton on the Hill Depot was renamed RAF Collyweston.

Following a four-year closure, construction work began in 1924 to receive the Central

Flying School, which operated from Wittering until 1935, when it was replaced by No 11 Flying Training School.

In 1938, Wittering became a fighter station, with No 23 Sqn operating Hawker Demons and No 213 Sqn with Hurricanes.

The following year, Collyweston was absorbed as a satellite station of Wittering, which operated with three squadrons as part of the Home Defence Force, first with Spitfires and Hurricanes and later in the night fighter interception role using the Defiant, Blenheim and Beaufighter.

The two separate runways were eventually joined up in 1941 to form one two-mile long grass runway.

Wittering squadrons were heavily involved in the Battle of Britain, operating from forward bases.

Throughout the war, Wittering aircraft accounted for the destruction of 151 enemy aircraft and 89 flying bombs, with a further 112 enemy aircraft damaged or possibly destroyed.

The station itself was bombed five times, the heaviest attack being on March 14, 1941, when one officer and 16 airmen were killed.

Throughout the war years, Wittering was home at various times to many development and evaluation units and acted as temporary home for many fighter squadrons.

From 1943 to 1944, Wittering was home to No 1426 (Enemy Aircraft) Flight, which evaluated captured enemy aircraft, and the USAAF 55th Fighter Sqn, operating P-38 Lightning and P-51 Mustang aircraft.

With the disbandment of the fighter squadrons in 1945, two Personnel Reception Centres were formed to provide rehabilitation facilities for returning POWs. Eventually, in 1948, the station again reverted to Flying Training Command and became the home of No 1 Initial Training School.

Princess Diana was honorary air commodore of RAF Wittering from 1985-95 and visited the base once every two years during that time.

While at the station she would meet the families and RAF servicemen and women, enjoy a tour of the base and see demonstrations.

Squadron Leader Tony Walsh, press officer at Wittering, said he remembered one year Diana brought Prince Harry with her to see the Harriers.

"It was 1991 and Prince Harry was probably about five or six at the time," he said. "She brought him with her because he was really fascinated by the planes."

To celebrate the 90th anniversary of the RAF, service personnel from Wittering are taking part in a variety of activities today.

Some will be touring Bomber Command in Lincoln, others will be visiting the Imperial War Museum in London, or taking part in Project Dambuster – a scrapheap challenge.

Veterans from 49 Squadron at Wittering, who were involved with the nuclear and hydrogen bomb tests at Christmas Island in 1957 will be at the base near Stamford today.

They have set up a charity to raise money to help renovate the island, which is situated in the Indian Ocean.

There will also be a Sunset Ceremony at the base which will include a parade and a Harrier fly-over and a hanger party later this evening.

See Thursday's Evening Telegraph for a picture special on the RAF Wittering 90th anniversary events.