Ethel was born Ethel Gore-Brown in 1864 in Tasmania where her father, Sir Thomas Gore-Brown was Governor. In 1894, Ethel married Hugh Locke-King and they went to live at “Brooklands” in Weybridge, Surrey. Shortly after their marriage, Ethel and Hugh purchased a hotel called “Mena House” just outside Cairo in Egypt which had formerly been a hunting lodge. They made it into a luxury hotel and added a golf course on the advice of a friend – Alice Gress.
They began their married life by farming the Brooklands estate but Hugh was passionately interested in motor racing and soon began building a race track on their land. The Motor Car Act of 1903 in Britain restricted motor vehicles to a 20 miles per hour speed limit which meant that trials between motor vehicles could not take place on public roads.
The earliest mention of a trial between motor vehicles was recorded as being from Paris to Rouen in July 1894, which was followed in 1895 with a race between Paris and Bordeaux.
Ethel took over the supervision of the development of the Brooklands racing circuit and aerodrome when the hard work involved in organising the construction adversely affected her husband’s health. Ethel’s family helped out, lending sufficient money to pay off debts incurred by the building work. Brooklands Motor Racing Circuit and Aerodrome was opened on June 1907 with a luncheon for motor car manufacturers. On 17th June 1907, Ethel led the inaugural procession of cars on to the track in her Itala car. The first race was held on 6th July 1907 and around ten thousand people attended the event. Women were not allowed to race but in 1908 the Ladies Bracelet Handicap was run with nine entrants. The winner was Muriel Thompson in an Austin, with Ethel Locke-King in the Italia second and Christobel Ellis in an Arrol-Johnston third. The Brooklands Automobile Club then banned women drivers until 1928. A similar ban was imposed on women's football teams after WW1.
During the First World War, Ethel Locke-King (seen here on the right) was Assistant County Director of Surrey, UK. She was responsible for establishing and organising twelve auxiliary military hospitals, one of which was in their home Brooklands House and is now Brooklands College. Several of the other hospitals were in houses owned by Hugh Locke-King. Ethel oversaw the management of 700 volunteers in nineteen Voluntary Aid Detachments. Mena House Hotel in Egypt was requisitioned for use by the Australian Army during WW1.
For her work during the conflict, Ethel was appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in 1918.
If you have not already visited Brooklands, I can highly recommend it. The banking was absolutely incredible and would never be permitted in Formula One today. After the death of her husband in 1926, Ethel continued to farm the Brooklands estate, with particular interest in their herd of Guernsey cattle. After Hugh Locke King’s death in 1926, Dame Ethel continued to play an active role in the Brooklands track company until its sale to new investors in 1936. She died in 1956.
The famous British race track, which was the first purpose-built circuit for racing motor cars in the world, is the subject of a temporary exhibition being held at Brooklands Museum in April 2017. The Exhibition, which is organised by the Surrey Museums Partnership together with 43 Surrey museums, will to mark Surrey Museums Month. The theme of this year’s Museums Month, held annually. This year’s theme celebrates the history of the county’s “Surrey Women”.
To find out more about the exhibition at Brooklands please see their website https://www.brooklandsmuseum.com/about/latest-news/april-is-surrey-museums-month
With grateful thanks to Callan Chevin for information about Margaret Mayne, who was born in Ballinamallard, Co. Tyrone, Ireland in 1882.
Margaret trained as a nurse and worked as a Staff Nurse in the North Staffordshire Infirmary from 1907 until the outbreak of WW1. She died in Harwich Hospital on 20th April 1917. A plaque to the memory of Margaret, who was awarded the Associate Royal Red Cross Medal for her work, was placed in the Chapel of the North Staffordshire Infirmary. Since 2015, this plaque has been situated in the Atrium at the Royal Stoke University Hospital, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, UK.
Margaret's name is not on my copy of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission List of Female Casualties of the First World War. If anyone knows more about Margaret, please get in touch.
Proving just how dangerous crossing the Channel was in WW1, His Majesty’s Hospital Ship ‘Salta’ hit a mine and sank on 10th April 1917, going down in under ten minutes. Among those who died were 9 nurses of the Queen Alexandra’s Imperial Nursing Reserve, 42 Royal Army Medical Corps personnel and 79 crew members.
HMHS ‘Salta’ was on her way from Britain to the port of Le Havre in France to collected wounded to transport them to Britain for treatment.
The ship was a passenger liner built by French ship builders Societe de Forges et Chantier de la Mediterranee at Seyne-sur-Mer in Var. She was run by the Societe General de Transport Maritime Steam and requisitioned by the British Admiralty in 1914 to be converted into a hospital ship.
More information can be found in Women Casualties Of The Great War In Military Cemeteries - Volume 1: Belgium & France
Lee Bowes, General Manager at Virgin Limited Edition’s Son Bunyola Estate in Mallorca, has shared her top 5 activities to make the most of this island haven;
With over 500km of coastlines, a boat trip is one of the best ways to discover the island. Explore hidden coves, snorkel in the turquoise waters or stop for lunch at one of the coastal restaurants that can only be accessed from the water.
‘Deborah’s Culinary Island Experience’ is a fantastic way to learn more about Mallorca’s thriving food scene. From olive oil tasting to a paella cooking class, Deborah will guide you through the highlights of our culinary landscape.
The north west of the island is a paradise for hikers and bikers and offers stunning Mediterranean views. From a gentle afternoon stroll to a challenging ride, there are routes for all abilities.
Mallorca’s wine is one of our best kept secrets, and a trip to a vineyard is a wonderful way to spend an afternoon. Learn about the winemaking process and enjoy a rustic picnic lunch (and, of course, a glass or two!) under the groves.
Wandering the sunny streets of pretty towns and villages is a must-do for those who want to know the ‘real’ Mallorca. Deia, Valldemossa and Soller are some of my personal favourites for their character and charm.
Rates start from EUR 17,900 for a seven night stay, and are inclusive of all drinks, breakfast, lunch and dinner including a local restaurant reservation one night.