Ethel Locke-King
Encyclopedia
Dame Ethel Locke-King, DBE, (1864–1956) was a motor-racing promoter and hospital patron.
Her wealthy husband, Sir Hugh F. Locke-King
, created and solely financed Brooklands
House, Weybridge
, Surrey
, the first permanent race-track in the world. On 16 June 1907, she led the inaugural procession of cars on to the track in her open Itala minutes after the track had been opened by her husband.
Ethel Locke-King ran a Red Cross hospital at her estate, Brooklands House, during World War I
from 1915 until 1919.
) in Egypt
was purchased by Hugh and Ethel Locke-King; once they had settled into the former Khedivial Hunting Lodge, Ethel decided to turn it into a luxurious hotel.
"It was to be an hotel to end all hotels", wrote Nina Nelson "... With plenty of money at their disposal, it was enlarged yet again and the Locke-Kings set about turning it into the quintessence of comfort [including fire-places to warm up the cold winter nights], but with fittings, architecture and decoration remaining oriental in design" (http://www.egy.com/landmarks/97-04-03.shtml). A friend of the Locke-King's, Alice Gress, visited the hotel shortly after its opening. Alice thought the area to the south would be wonderful addition to the grounds as a golf course and sketched a rough course plan on a napkin. Hugh Locke-King developed the area, building a sporting club and lounge at the base of the pyramids to serve the nine fairway, 18 green course with interlocking canals and palmtrees lining the fairways. (Golf in Africa, PhD Thesis, John Korbel, University of Denver, 1975).
Ethel Locke-King was a paternal aunt of Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Stewart Gore-Browne
.
Her wealthy husband, Sir Hugh F. Locke-King
Hugh F. Locke-King
Sir Hugh Fortescue Locke-King was a British entrepreneur who founded and financed the creation of Brooklands.Located in Weybridge, Surrey, Brooklands was the site of many aeronautical and motoring milestones during the first half of the 20th century; it was a predecessor of the Formula One...
, created and solely financed Brooklands
Brooklands
Brooklands was a motor racing circuit and aerodrome built near Weybridge in Surrey, England. It opened in 1907, and was the world's first purpose-built motorsport venue, as well as one of Britain's first airfields...
House, Weybridge
Weybridge
Weybridge is a town in the Elmbridge district of Surrey in South East England. It is bounded to the north by the River Thames at the mouth of the River Wey, from which it gets its name...
, Surrey
Surrey
Surrey is a county in the South East of England and is one of the Home Counties. The county borders Greater London, Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex, Hampshire and Berkshire. The historic county town is Guildford. Surrey County Council sits at Kingston upon Thames, although this has been part of...
, the first permanent race-track in the world. On 16 June 1907, she led the inaugural procession of cars on to the track in her open Itala minutes after the track had been opened by her husband.
Ethel Locke-King ran a Red Cross hospital at her estate, Brooklands House, during World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
from 1915 until 1919.
Mena House/Mena Palace Oberoi
Mena House (also known as the Mena House OberoiMena House Oberoi
The Mena House Oberoi is a luxurious hotel and resort located just outside of Cairo, Egypt and lies at the foot of the famous Pyramid of Cheops. This five star getaway is owned and operated by the Oberoi Group hotel chain...
) in Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
was purchased by Hugh and Ethel Locke-King; once they had settled into the former Khedivial Hunting Lodge, Ethel decided to turn it into a luxurious hotel.
"It was to be an hotel to end all hotels", wrote Nina Nelson "... With plenty of money at their disposal, it was enlarged yet again and the Locke-Kings set about turning it into the quintessence of comfort [including fire-places to warm up the cold winter nights], but with fittings, architecture and decoration remaining oriental in design" (http://www.egy.com/landmarks/97-04-03.shtml). A friend of the Locke-King's, Alice Gress, visited the hotel shortly after its opening. Alice thought the area to the south would be wonderful addition to the grounds as a golf course and sketched a rough course plan on a napkin. Hugh Locke-King developed the area, building a sporting club and lounge at the base of the pyramids to serve the nine fairway, 18 green course with interlocking canals and palmtrees lining the fairways. (Golf in Africa, PhD Thesis, John Korbel, University of Denver, 1975).
Ethel Locke-King was a paternal aunt of Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Stewart Gore-Browne
Stewart Gore-Browne
Lieutenant Colonel Sir Stewart Gore-Browne, DSO, , called Chipembele by Africans, was a soldier, pioneer white settler, builder, politician and supporter of independence in Northern Rhodesia .- Early life :...
.