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History |
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History
in the making |
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Horne
Park golf was opened in 1995 and whilst we cannot claim to have
the history of St Andrew's and other famous names our course
has a history that is something special. |
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In
1944 just World War II was coming to an end, a few acres of
farm land straddling the north-south section of Bones Lane,
this is the narrow road that runs along side the course, was
used as a temporary airfield for the RAF. This was because
the RAF was anxious to acquire additional airfields in the southeast
of England. Known as ALG's Advanced Landing Grounds, Horne was
the only one in Surrey. It consisted of two grass runways and
perimeter tracks with storage and tented accommodation. Over
300 RAF personnel from England, Canada, Poland, Australia, New
Zealand and probably other countries served at Horne. |
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The
star of the events that took place back in 1944 during the Battle
of Britain, was of course the Spitfire, Horne saw as many as 60
in operation here. If you have ever visited an air show or witnessed
one on the TV you can just imagine the noise of so many Spitfire
Merlin engines taking off for D-Day. |
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Len
Bush, who is a Club member, worked for the Triang Toy Company after
the war as a draughtsman, later as an illustrator for the aircraft
model kit boxes. Len has donated two excellent paintings of Spitfires
to the Club which he painted in 1996 and can be viewed on the wall
as you enter and leave the bar and restaurant area. |
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Next
time you land at Gatwick from the east you will notice our driving
range and golf course and notice the lack of hedges where the runways
once were. After your round of golf, why not take a look along Bones
Lane where you will see the point where the runway crossed the road
together with a small memorial obelisk. |
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There
is an excellent small book written by local historian and former
air cadet Brian Buss called ‘RAF Horne’s D-Day Spitfires’ if
you want to find out more. |