The Usworth Ghosts
A man called Shaw, a pilot who was once based at RAF Usworth,
is reported to wander around the museum and it's hangers. His journey
eventually leads him into the workshop, where his footsteps can be
heard, and into the adjoining canteen where a cupboard containing the
smashed up parts of an old engine can be found. Shaw, allegedly, died in
action and when people retrieved his corpse from the wreckage of his
crashed aeroplane, they found everything was present - except his boots.
Shaw can be spotted around the North East Air Museum - or at least his
legs can. There have been numerous reports from witnesses claiming to
have seen a pair of black-trouser legs (no boots) walking around the
main hanger when people have looked underneath and through the aircraft
stored there. It is also said that Shaw calls out for people asking for
help - perhaps to help him find his boots? - and also is said to throw
things at people to get their attention.
There is also a story of a woman and a man connected to the site from
when it was a World War II airfield. Her husband was away fighting for
King and country on some campaign during the war and the lady - sadly we
have no name for her - was having an affair with another man based at
RAF Usworth. She used to meet with him within the main hanger as
previously there was a medical center attached to it - perhaps she was a
nurse stationed there? Unfortunately, they both died in a car accident
and they can be heard talking to each other as well as seen walking
together throughout the hangers and are also said to be responsible for
flashing lights in the hangers.
Another story regards a spirit they call
George. It is said that one hot summer during the war the man whom they
call George, was sunbathing on the roof of one of the hangers, fell
asleep and then woke with a start, rolled and fell to his death.
Finally, there is the story of Frank. There are 3 Franks associated with
the site but the Frank we are interested in had an injured leg and used
to get around with the use of a walking stick. There have been many
reports of the click-click-click as Frank still walks around the hangers
using his stick for support, today.
The above story comes courtesy of the Northern Ghost Investigations team.
The museum holds a regular 'Ghost Watch'. Please see News and Events section for details of the next watch.