RAF Stoney Cross & US President Barrack Obama’s grandfather
US President Barrack Obama’s grandfather US Army Sergeant Stanley Armour Dunham arrived at RAF Stoney Cross in April 1944 after shipping out of the US in October 1943 on the HMS Mauretania. He was part of the 1830th Ordnance Supply and Maintenance Co. (aviation) which supported the US 9th Air Force for D-Day in June of that year.
1830th Ordnance Supply and Maintenance Co. (aviation) was part of the 327th Service Group in the 367th Fighter Group.
The Station Lists show 1830th stationed at Stoney Cross on 31 Mar, 30 Apr, 31 May and 30 Jun 1944. (Philgrin)
- 14 Nov 1943 – Langar, Nottinghamshire
- 31 Dec 1943 – Ramsbury, Wiltshire
- 21 Feb 1944 – Welford, Berkshire
- 31 Mar 1944 – Stoney Cross, Hampshire
- 30 Apr 1944 – Stoney Cross, Hampshire
- 31 May 1944 – Stoney Cross, Hampshire
- 30 Jun 1944 – Stoney Cross, Hampshire
- ?? Jul 1944 – Ibsley, Hampshire
- 31 Aug 1944 – not on UK Station List
- 16 Dec 1944 – Juivincourt, France
- 2 May 1945 – Eschborn, Germany
John Levesley, of the Friends of New Forest Airfields group (FONFA), said: “Sergeant Dunham’s job was to basically look after the Bomb Dump, get the bombs brought in, look after the ammunition, store the ammunition, maintain it and deliver it out to the aircraft so that the ground crew could actually load them up and arm them for their missions.”
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For additional details see the article on The Real New Forest Guide, Stoney Cross – Obama Connection.
For further reading and articles on Stoney Cross Airfield please visit: Stoney Cross Overview