RAF Moreton-in-Marsh

RAF Moreton-in-Marsh was a Royal Air Force station near Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire. It was opened in November 1940 with three concrete and tarmac runways and five aircraft hangers.[2] It closed for operational flying in early 1948. The base remained in use as a relief runway and for training. After a period of care and maintenance, the Station was handed over to the Home Office in 1955.

RAF Moreton-in-Marsh

The Fire Service Technical College on the old airfield site
Summary
Airport typeMilitary
OperatorRoyal Air Force
LocationMoreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire
Built1940
In use1941-1955
Coordinates51°59′42″N 001°40′48″W
Map
RAF Moreton-in-Marsh
Location in Gloucestershire
Runways
Direction Length Surface
ft m
00/00 0 0 Asphalt
00/00 0 0 Asphalt
00/00 0 0 Asphalt
Operational dates.[1]

The town's environs are quite flat and low-lying although it is situated at the northern extremity of the Cotswold Hills range. During World War II, a large area of this flat land to the east of the town was developed as an airfield and became the base of 21 OTU (Operational Training Unit) RAF, flying mainly Vickers Wellington bombers.[3] It is highly likely that the airfield inspired the title of the radio show Much Binding in the Marsh.[4] After all, two of its stars, Kenneth Horne and Richard Murdoch, served there as flying instructors.[5]

Current use

The former airfield is now home to the Fire Service College where senior fire officers from brigades all over the UK undergo operational, management and leadership training.[6]

References

Citations
  1. "Moreton-in-Marsh". Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust. Archived from the original on 3 August 2012. Retrieved 13 May 2012.
  2. "Moreton in March Aifield". Pastscape. Historic England. Retrieved 5 July 2020.
  3. "Moreton-in-Marsh". Air of Authority. Archived from the original on 16 July 2017. Retrieved 5 November 2014.
  4. "Much Binding In The Marsh". Memorabilia UK. Retrieved 5 July 2020.
  5. Turner, Mark (2018). Moreton-in-Marsh Through Time. Amberley Publishing. ISBN 9781445684284.
  6. "History and Heritage". Fire Service College. Archived from the original on 12 June 2020. Retrieved 5 July 2020.
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