In the summer and autumn of 1962, 19-year-old Anne Henson experienced a remarkable series of UFO sightings from her bedroom window in Braunton, North Devon, England. The encounters began when she noticed unusual bright lights and structured objects hovering or maneuvering in the sky, often near the direction of the nearby Royal Air Force station at Chivenor.
After seeing the objects on multiple occasions, Anne contacted RAF Chivenor to report what she was witnessing. Shortly afterward, a man in a dark suit identifying himself as a Royal Air Force official visited her home. This individual, who never gave a clear name and fit the classic “Man in Black” description, began making regular visits to her bedroom. He would sit with her for extended periods, watching the sky alongside her through the window, taking notes, and occasionally making comments about the objects. He appeared calm and professional but strongly discouraged her from discussing the sightings with others or the press.
Anne described the objects as bright, metallic, and sometimes disc-shaped or cigar-shaped, performing maneuvers that defied conventional aircraft behavior. The visits from the mysterious official continued for several weeks. He was always polite but firm about maintaining secrecy. After the final visit, the sightings gradually decreased, and the man stopped coming.
The case gained attention in British UFO research circles in the 1960s and 1970s, primarily through investigator Charles Bowen and the Flying Saucer Review. It is considered one of the more intriguing early British “Men in Black” cases because of the direct involvement of what appeared to be an official RAF representative who actively monitored the witness in her own home.
Anne Henson maintained the truth of her account throughout her life. The incident remains unexplained and is frequently cited as a classic example of both close-proximity UFO activity and the mysterious silencing or monitoring of witnesses by enigmatic officials.
D.R. Calloway is an independent researcher specializing in anomalous phenomena, historical UFO cases, and paranormal encounters. Fringe Archives is his ongoing effort to document and preserve these cases in one accessible place.
