Page 52 - William B. Lake

RAF Moreton in Marsh was a Royal Air Force station near Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire. It
was opened in November 1940 and 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.

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 used by Wellington Bombers. It is highly likely that the airfield
inspired the title of the radio show Much Binding in the Marsh. After all, two of its stars, Kenneth
Horne and Richard Murdoch, served there as flying instructors.

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. The same
complex is also now the headquarters of the Institution of Fire Engineers, the professional body for
fire fighters, officers and civilians with an interest in fire engineering.

Kenneth Horne and Richard Murdoch produced a song, believed to be based on their time
at the airfield.
Much binding in the Marsh

Present day photograph of the former RAF Morton in Marsh airfield