Quarry Hotel
QUARRY HOTEL: Private landing strip or Landing Ground*
(Aka BOURNE END and COCK MARSH)
Operated by: 21st century: The National Trust, Maidenhead and Cookham Commons Preservation Committee, Monycrower, Maidenhead
Location: On the banks of the Thames near Bourne End, but on the opposite bank. A large field behind the hotel was often used as a landing strip. Now known as ‘COCK MARSH’ and owned by the National Trust. In the AA Landing Ground guides (1930s) it was immediately adjacent to a railway bridge on the Maidenhead to Bourne End line. SW side, S of River Thames
Period of operation: 1930s only?
Note: One source claims the Landing Ground was operational up until 1950.
Runway: Max landing run: 457 grass
NOTES: *This site was listed in the AA (Automobile Association) “Flying July 1933” Airfield Guide as an ‘Approved Landing Ground’. Several pictures exist of flying activities here including a picture of the DH.60 Moth G-AAAA which was once owned and flown by Geoffrey de Havilland. In a table published in Flying – The Light Aeroplane Weekly for the years 1933-34 of UK Flying Clubs and Landing Grounds, BOURNE END is listed.
I find it rather interesting, and perhaps unique for a 1930s Landing Ground, that in 1933 at least, the AA guide states that fuel is available from Townsend Brothers, boat builders, “across the river”. And again that “Transport” (i.e. a taxi service) was available from, “W. E. Loveridge, The Parade, Bourne End (across river by ferry)”. Hotel accommodation was on site of course, again pretty rare for the 1930s Landing Grounds, (and still is), but the hotel did have a telephone. And, quite likely, just the one.
ANOTHER ASPECT
In a memoir Roy Child mentions this site as also being used for model flying by the Windsor Model Aeroplane Club and at one point, probably in the 1920s, Sydney Camm became their Secretary, whilst also designing the classic Hawker fighter aircraft for the RAF.
A DEBATE?
Some might argue, quite rightly, that this site should be listed as either/or BOURNE END or COCK MARSH but, for now, I’ll stick to my guns that the Landing Ground was first known as the QUARRY HOTEL? Just another detail, it also appears that in 1933 that no hangar was available and certainly no maintenance. It might seem rather odd today, but it was the case in those days that if you flew, let alone owned an aeroplane, it was also a requirement to be fairly proficient at basic maintenance and repairs. And, this included the female pilots too.
POPULAR WITH FOREIGN PILOTS
It also appears that, prior to WW2, the QUARRY HOTEL airfield was popular with French and German private pilots wishing to visit this region and the river Thames. And to prove the point, in late 2019 I was very kindly sent these three pictures by David Wright, the landlord of The Bounty which now occupies the site.
The second is surely a very rare picture, and shows at least three German light aircraft making a visit. On the second aircraft from the left a Swastika symbol can be seen. The clue to the nearer two aircraft aircraft also being German is simply because the registrations include numbers, and these would have been prefaced with a 'D'. This changed after WW2.
It is beyond my capabilities to identify the types - but I expect somebody can kindly offer advice.
The third aerial picture shows 'scrap' vehicles placed across the Landing Ground to prevent German aircraft landing. As David points out, he is surprised that a German invasion would have included Cock Marsh. But it is perhaps hard to appreciate the fear of invasion felt by the public in those days when so much of Europe had been over-run by the Nazi war machine.
It was never going to happen of course, and the British government knew this, but it obviously suited their propaganda campaign to keep banging on about the threat. The reasons are explained elsewhere in this 'Guide' - see for example my article on the 'Battle of Britain'.
Chris kenney
This comment was written on: 2019-02-11 22:00:18The bungalow on the banks of the Berkshire bank of the river called the Bounty was still referred to as going down to The Quarry as late as 1960. There is also a photograph of the building in a book on Wycombes contribution to aviation.
David Wright
This comment was written on: 2019-07-30 13:23:57I was the landlord of the Bounty on Cockmarsh for 32 years and have collected many photos of planes in the back field, including one of Ami Johnson with her DeHavilland Moth biplane. There is also a plane with a swastika on the tail. The original Quarry Hotel was burned to the ground in 1938 and two kitchen staff died in the fire. The Bounty has risen from the ashes. If anyone has any photos or information about the fire or the hotel I would love to hear from them. David Wright
Reply from Dick Flute:
Hi David, Many thanks for the information - much appreciated. Would it be possible to kindly e-mail me some of your pictures, (as a j-peg please), as they would make a fine addition to this 'Guide'. My best regards, Dick
Carolyn Dennis
This comment was written on: 2020-01-07 16:26:52Hi my nan & grandad where the managers of the quarry and moved to harmondsworth after it burt down.
Bob Fisher
This comment was written on: 2020-05-15 07:24:14Hi Whilst searching family history. Relatives in Iowa USA came across a goldmine of photos of the area around the airfield and a property they owned at the time (1925 circa) near the railway Bridge Must admit i hadn't appreciated that there was an airfield there. Included in the collection are a very old photo of what we believe to be a Deperdussin circa 1910 and a DH Moth . there is also a very nice postcard of the Quarry Hotel , issued by Raphael Tuck and sons London.. Will speak to my cousin later today and with her approval, will post them. I wonder if anyone local to the area might be able to assist us. In 1925 the family purchased a large boat 40 foot plus called Gray Ghost it was converted to a river cruiser and renamed Eujoy. We are pretty sure Eujoy was sold prior to WW2 but wonder if anyone can help identify what type of boat she was? The owner we know was a Royal Navy Reservist in WW2 and was involved in the small ships rescue at Dunkirk where he returned 3 times on a small boat as part of the rescue. We have lost of photos of Eujoy if anyone can help I will forward to them direct Regards Bob Fisher
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