Historic England research records

Historic England Research Records

Madely Airfield
Hob Uid: 1402537
Location : County of Herefordshire Madley, Kingstone
Grid Ref : SO4160037300
Summary : A former World War Two military airfield, opened in 1941, closed between 1946-1959 . The airfield was initially a grass landing area, but in 1943 tarmac runways and aircraft hangars (including Blister types) were added. The function of the airfield was to train ground and air crews for the Royal Air Force, including a wireless operator's school. The main flying field area was in the parish of Madley, whilst many of the personnel were accomodated in the parish of Kingstone. The airfield was used in 1946 to fly Rudolf Hess to the Nuremburg war Crimes Trials. After the withdrawl of the Royal Air Force part of the site returned to agriculture and market gardening. In 1974-1976 it became a satellite earth station (Satellite Communications Centre) for the Post Office (now British Telecom). The site is also home to the Madely Enviromental Study Centre. Some of the aircraft hangars are still said to be extant and part of an industrial estate which is also on the site.
More information : Madely Airfield, Herefordshire, SO 418 374. Opened in 1941 and closed in 1946 (?). Aircraft hangar types included Hiaidi, Blister and Callander. Up to 6293 men and 701 women were stationed at the airfield in December 1944. It was under the control of RAF Technical Training Command. (1) Madely Airfield was initially a grass landing area, but in 1943 tarmac runways and aircraft hangars (including Blister types) were added. The function of the airfield was to train ground and air crews for the Royal Air Force, including a wireless operator's school. The main flying field area was in the parish of Madley, whilst many of the personnel were accomodated in the parish of Kingstone. The number of persons living in the latter village swelled from a prewar poulation of 292 to 5000 during the war.The airfield was used in 1946 to fly Rudolf Hess to the Nuremburg war Crimes Trials. After the Royal Air Force left during the 1950s, part of the site returned to agriculture and market gardening. In 1974-1976 it became a Satellite Communications Centre for the Post Office (now British Telecom). The site is also home to the Madely Enviromental Study Centre. Some of the aircraft hangars (specific type not stated) are still said to be extant and part of an industrial estate which is also on the site. (2) Airfield (disused) centred SO 418 374 , Madley Satellite Earth Station SO 4250 3735 (NAT). (3)

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Source Number : 2
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Source details : Maureen Venn. 2004. "Madley Study Centre: History"; http://www.wetlands-study-centre.co.uk/history.htm; accessed 06-SEP-2004.
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Source Number : 3
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Source details : 1:10000, 1983
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Monument Types:

Monument Period Name : 20th Century
Display Date : World War II from 1941
Monument End Date : 1945
Monument Start Date : 1941
Monument Type : Airfield, Military Airfield, Military Camp
Evidence : Structure, Documentary Evidence

Monument Period Name : 20th Century
Display Date : Additions 1943
Monument End Date : 1943
Monument Start Date : 1943
Monument Type : Runway, Blister Aircraft Hangar, Aircraft Hangar
Evidence : Documentary Evidence, Extant Building

Monument Period Name : 20th Century
Display Date : Closed 1946-1959
Monument End Date : 1959
Monument Start Date : 1946
Monument Type : Military Airfield
Evidence : Structure

Monument Period Name : 20th Century
Display Date : Use change 1974-1976
Monument End Date : 1976
Monument Start Date : 1974
Monument Type : Satellite Earth Station
Evidence : Structure

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Related Records from other datasets:

External Cross Reference Source : DoB Non Anti Invasion Database UID
External Cross Reference Number : 2849
External Cross Reference Notes :

External Cross Reference Source : Defence of Britain SMR Reference
External Cross Reference Number : HWCM 12530
External Cross Reference Notes :

External Cross Reference Source : National Monuments Record Number
External Cross Reference Number : SO 43 NW 34
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Relationship type : General association

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Related Activities :

Associated Activities :
Activity type : MEASURED SURVEY
Start Date : 1995-04-01
End Date : 2002-03-01

Associated Activities :
Activity type : THEMATIC SURVEY
Start Date : 2012-01-01
End Date : 2012-12-31

Historic England Research Records

Madely Airfield