Jersey Marine
JERSEY MARINE: Civil aerodrome/airport
Operated by: Weston Airport Ltd (Straight Corporation)
British airline user: Western Airways
Location: About 3nm E of Swansea city centre, just W of the River Neath and just S of the A483
Period of operation: Late 1930s (Not shown on a chart published in 1935)
In June 2017 I discovered these maps very kindly sent to me many years ago, by my good friend Maurice Wickstead. What is very interesting is that the maps are titled; "SWANSEA - PRIVATE AIRFIELD".
Landing area: Grass N/S 183 NE/SW 229 E/W 823 SE/NW 320
NOTES:
I have to admit that if asked to list the many places I would least expect to find a picture of, JERSEY MARINE would certainly feature. So, how wrong can you be? In April 2017 I was delighted to be contacted by Mrs Morwenna Williams (nee: Huxtable) who sent me the evocative picture above and some notes. She tells me; "I was born on 2nd February, 1939, and when I was about three months old, my parents Mr & Mrs E. W. Huxtable, took me to visit my Mother's family who lived in Bideford and Appledore, North Devon."
"The pilot managed to get us to Barnstaple finally, as the aeroplane had developed some engine trouble, but told my parents that he would not be able to fly us back home and that we would have to travel home by train." Without much if any doubt the place they landed at near Barnstaple was CHIVENOR, which was served by Western Airways.
"I was the youngest person ever to have been travelling on that plane and as a result we had our photograph taken with the Pilot (unfortunately I don't know his name) and the aeroplane." Morwenna tells me that, according to what she remembers her parents saying, the picture was taken before their departure.
The aircraft is of course a de Havilland DH.84 Dragon. But which one? During 1938 and 1939 Western Airways operated a regular Swansea, Barnstaple, Newquay, Penzance service. Perhaps flying down the route on one day, coming back the next?
A MICHAEL T HOLDER GALLERY
Having had my memory of this location prodded, and I didn't have much of a listing, I asked Mike Holder, a great friend of this 'Guide', if he could find out more? The results were far, far more than I could have expected.
Note: The picture of the Percival Q6, G-AFIX, operated by Western Airways, is from British Commercial Aircraft by Paul Ellis. The two part article was published in the Neath Guardian on the 19th June 1936.
Note: This article was published in the Western Mail on the 8th August 1936.
Note: This photo accompanied the four part article above. The local area view is from my Google Earth © derived database.
Note: This article was published in the Porthcawl Guardian on the 15th July 1938.
Note: The information comes from the Welsh Government website. Odd that they don't mention Western Airways operating the Percivel Q6. A bit like a history of British Airways not mentioning they operated Concordes. The newspaper article was published in the Western Mail on the 28th July 1938:
FINAL ITEMS
Note: Both of these final items were published in the Western Mail. The first on the 2nd August 1941, the second on the 26th March 1946. The area view is from my Google Earth © derived database.
A BIT MORE INFO
Typical of this period the facilities offered were usually minimal. Fuel, oil and water could be obtained but there was no repair facility or hangar. This normally meant just a windsock and, possibly, a tent or small hut to provide shelter for those working there and the few passengers. One source claims there was a hangar built here.
If anybody can kindly provide more information about this site, this advice will be most welcome. And indeed, with reference to the above, Mrs Williams told me that she has been looking for proof that an aerodrome existed at JERSEY MARINE for ages, until discovering this 'Guide'.
It is quite possible this site was only used in the spring to autumn seasons of 1938 and 1939? When Western Airways were operating a thrice daily service with the Percival Q.6 type connecting Swansea with Weston-Super-Mare, Cardiff, Bristol, Birmingham and Manchester.
It certainly came as quite a revelation when starting the research for this 'Guide' some twenty years or so ago, to slowly discover just how extensive the regional airline network was in the UK during the 1930s. Albeit mainly during the summer season for obvious reasons. Naturally the road network was pretty dire but railway connections were still in their heyday. It just goes to prove how ‘progress’ works and the point is often made that these often fledgling airlines looked for gaps in the rail network that an aeroplane could fill.
AND MORE
In March 2023, after making considerable amendments and additions to this listing, my nephew Lewis Greaves, who lives in the area, found this item. Standing in front of a de Havilland DH84 Dragon, (presumably of Western Airways), is, from left to right in 1939: The exiled Abyssinian Emperor Haile Selassie, Samuel Howells and his father Rees Howells.
Further information: https://zerubbabel.org/.../vol-19-no-4-reminiscences-of.../
Jim Harle
This comment was written on: 2020-07-07 13:58:00Hi I have some further information about Jersey Marine airfield in South Wales. A Capt. C D Godfrey owned the land and developed/built it in 1934 I believe. Can you respond to me and I can then attach some info to my reply email. Kind regards, Jim
Dick Flute
This comment was written on: 2020-07-07 18:47:38Hi Jim, You will find my e-mail address on the home page. Best regards, Dick
Allen Rix
This comment was written on: 2021-01-25 17:58:26I was born in JerseyMarine and attended the village school. I remember that one day we were all taken to Jersey Marine Airport to see the arrival of the head of state of one of the Middle East countries (his name/title eludes me). We only got a very brief glimpse of the man as he was hustled into a waiting car and disappeared in the direction of Swansea. I cannot remember seeing any other flights at the airfield. The airfield was on part of what is now Swanea Bay Golf Club. Trust this may be of interest to your readers.
Steven Whelan
This comment was written on: 2021-02-26 17:05:33That V.I.P. Gentleman was Emperor Haille Sallase of Abyssinia.
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