Clubfoot is the nickname given to an alleged ghost at former RAF Binbrook. He is said to be an Australian serviceman who fatally injured himself while trying to sabotage a Lancaster bomber, possibly in revenge for being injured by a careless pilot. His real name is said to be Sergeant Sinclair, and he is allegedly seen on the runway and the airfield’s perimeter track, waving his arms in an attempt to attract attention.

This is discussed by Lucy Wood in The Little Book of Lincolnshire (2016). Much of the former air base remains, and the some of the former quarters have been developed into the modern village of Brookenby, which makes it a fascinating place to visit. There is an interesting blog post from the University of Lincoln you can read here. British Hauntings, Histories and Investigations has a suitably haunting podcast episode, ‘Ghosts of RAF Binbrook’ (2023), which provides other related ghost stories from the base. You can listen to it below:

RAF Binbrook Heritage Centre is worth stopping at. The base closed in 1988, and most of the buildings can still be seen, though obviously you should take heed of all signs. Some of the buildings, including the hangars, are used by industry.

Words by RORY WATERMAN