Marden Airfield

Marden Airfield RAF Marden Pagehurst Emergency Landing Ground
IATA: none ICAO: none
Summary
Airport type	Private/Military
Serves	Marden / Staplehurst
Location	Staplehurst, Kent
Built	1917
In use	1917 - 1935
Elevation AMSL	90 ft / 27 m
Coordinates	51°10′N 000°31′E / 51.167°N 0.517°E / 51.167; 0.517Coordinates: 51°10′N 000°31′E / 51.167°N 0.517°E / 51.167; 0.517
Map
Marden Airfield Location in Kent
Runways
Direction Length Surface ft m E-W 2,100 640 Grass

Marden Airfield was an airfield in Marden, Kent, United Kingdom. It was operation from 1917 to 1935. Initially a Royal Flying Corps airfield during the First World War it was used post-war as an Emergency Landing Strip, RAF Marden by the Royal Air Force. It was also known as Pagehurst Emergency Landing Ground. Later serving as a civil Emergency Landing Ground, the airfield closed in 1935. The site housed a Royal Air Force transmitter station during the Second World War.

Marden Airfield was located east of Marden and west of Staplehurst, and south of the Ashford - Tonbridge railway line, in Ordnance Survey grid square TQ7643. (51°10′N 000°31′E / 51.167°N 0.517°E / 51.167; 0.517), thus north east of Marden Thorn. Although known as Marden Airfield, most of the site lies within the parish of Staplehurst. The site is 90 ft (27 m) above sea level and was 900 by 350 yd (820 by 320 m).

Marden Airfield was established in January 1917. It was a Second Class Landing Ground. Facilities were limited to a Bessonneau hangar located in the south east corner of the airfield. It was used as an Emergency Landing Ground. One example of such use was on 16 March 1917 when a Royal Aircraft Factory BE2c of 50 Squadron Royal Flying Corps landed at Marden following engine trouble. In 1918, pilots of 141 Squadron, Royal Air Force, who were taking part in ground-to-air radio telephony exercises were in the habit of making "precautionary" landings at RAF Marden. The pilots did this in order to enjoy the food served at the Station Hotel, Staplehurst. This practice continued until the Commanding Officer of 49 Wing had a genuine problem and landed at Marden. On seeing six Bristol fighters lined up, he made enquiries and discovered the truth. The practice was stopped.

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