Mushroom Farm, Location?

In Wings over Wiltshire, RAF Keevil, page 150.

"on 22nd Feb. 1945 the 1st Sqn Glider pilots Regiment arrived from Mushroom Farm????

My question is :- where was/is 'Mushroom Farm' and what was there??

I believe it was the name of a camp in Essex. I've seen it described as being as both near Dunmow and Braintree. It was used usually as a transit/holding camp for various Airborne/Airlanding units prior to the Rhine crossing.

The Worcestershire Regiment B.H.Q and 12th Batt. Devonshire Regiment used it in March 1945.

Thank you very much I had an idea it was not an airfield.

I think it may in fact have been an airfield, possibly one of the 8th AF bases that was surplus to requirements, after all it would be silly to have based a Glider Pilot squadron at a non airfield site wouldnt it?

I think it really was a mushroom farm. I know of a couple of ex-airborne guys who recalled "being sent to a camp on a mushroom farm. The growing trays were pulled off the shelves and replaced with mattresses which we slept on."

Just for the record, from WO 171/5172

10th to 11th March 1945
Place: Bulford

These two days were spent in hurried preparation for Ex "VULTURE", a flying ex incl a move to, and stay at a Transit Camp.

12th March 1945
Place: Mushroom Fm

The BN departed for the Transit Camp (MUSHROOM FM nr BRAINTREE Essex), arriving there at about 1630 hrs.

13th March 1945
Place: Mushroom Fm

Glider loading was carried out on GREAT DUNMOW and RIVENHALL aerodromes.

14th March 1945
Place: Mushroom Fm

Ex "VULTURE". Apart from the flying, the ex consisted of moving off to a conc area on landing, the main objects of the ex having been to practice :-

(a) the transit camp personnel in their adm duties in connection with an airborne op,
(b) the BN in glider loading, flying, unloading and quick move to conc areas.

The flight was made from the two airfields mentioned above, but owing to ground mist a number of gliders crash landed in fields and in some cases landed on other aerodromes a considerable distance away.

Thanks again

Perhaps this is the origin of the saying 'being kept in the dark and fed on s**t'

OEB has contacted me, and we're working on this. I've a putative location, but the person I need to talk to may take more of my time than I have this weekend, so I plan to ring him on Tuesday. Will let people know what we find!

Adrian

Exactly Peter that was my train of thought, it had to start somewhere.