Kings Cliffe Airfield Museum
KING’S CLIFFE AIRFIELD MUSEUM
TUESDAY 20TH AUGUST 2024
Just 3 or 4 miles away from Yarwell Mill, hidden in the rural countryside amongst some of the remaining Rockingham Forest, lies the site of RAF King’s Cliffe. Although the area has been tastefully developed into a holiday lodge park, a small museum showcasing the history of the abandoned airfield has recently opened.
Mike Murray who for several years had been gathering artefacts which he stored in his garage at his home in King’s Cliffe, first had the idea for a museum in tribute to the Airfield eleven years ago! He has spent many hours researching the history. Thankfully he was kindly offered by the new owners of the site a small building to house his museum.
Mike kindly agreed to give our group a talk and tell us the stories from the Airfield and show us around his museum.
Sue Parnham and Michael Barnet kindly assisted everyone to enter through the security gate then joined us all at the Command Post Bistro for refreshments before our talk. The Bistro is a delightful café and shop open everyday offering a variety of food and drinks. It also houses a shop for the convenience of holiday makers staying at the Rockingham Forest Park.
A short stroll away Mike Murray with his friend Trevor Sharpe, were waiting for us in an open sided seating area for our talk. Mike was extremely knowledgeable and entertaining telling us of the story of King’s Cliffe Airfield and of some of the pilots ie: Ace pilot Johnnie Johnson but of course there were some sad stories too.
The RAF controlled the Airfield at the beginning of WW2 but when the Americans entered the war, they took over the base. During that time the famous bandleader Glen Miller played his last concert in a hangar there. The base of the hangar is still there today, together with a memorial to him as he sadly got killed on his way to entertain the troops in France in 1944.
Mike gave us a brilliant talk but unfortunately the last few minutes were rushed through as although we were under shelter, a strong wind with heavy rain started so the group rushed back to the Bistro for a buffet lunch.
After lunch we were invited to visit the museum with Mike and hear even more stories. A number of us also ventured to the Glen Miller memorial a short distance away.
Our thanks to the Bistro and special thanks to Mike Murray.
For more information visit the Facebook page under Kings Cliffe Museum.