The site is often confused with RAF Yatesbury that was constructed partly within the parish of Compton Bassett in 1916.

Many thousands of newly recruited RAF personnel, most having just completed their 8 weeks basic training, were taught their RAF trade skills at RAF Compton Bassett, so as to become competent Radar Operators PPI, Wireless Operators, Teleprinter Operators, Telegraphists or Telephonists before being posted to work at RAF operational stations and airfields elsewhere in the United Kingdom or abroad.

As well as their trade training, personnel experienced tougher service discipline at Compton Bassett than on operational stations.

Being put on a charge for not being up to required standard, resulting in Jankers, was very commonly experienced by personnel while being trade trained there.

3 Radio School RAF, which in the 1950s trained later washing machine entrepreneur John Bloom,[4] The local coach company Cards of Devizes provided contracted coaches to the RAF, which on a Saturday afternoon would take the airmen to London on their 36-hour passes.