RAF Kenley is more commonly known for its role in the Battle of Britain or the Canadian Wing, under “Johnnie” Johnson, but it also featured heavily in the Battle of France. Between 10 May and 25 June 1940 eight squadrons, or parts thereof, were based at Kenley.
I spent most of the years between 1945 and 2012 living at 170 Whyteleafe Hill opposite "the aerodrome" as everyone called it.
I was posted to RAF Kenley, for my National Service, and after the initial disappointment, I settled in there, and had a most wonderful time. The senior officer was terrific, not a disciplinarian, left us to self discipline, which was a credit to him, and I believe helped us to become better people.
Ex-Corporal Patrick Honey served as a regular in the RAF from 1952 until 1964. He wasn't stationed at RAF Kenley as such but was in command of the Air Ministry Registry Post Office in Flintfield House from 1961-1964.
During the 1950's, RAF Kenley hosted several firefighting competitions. Jane Collman Williams has given permission for us to add these photos and cuttings which came from her Grandfather Edward John Charles Williams OBE.
We are saddened to learn that Flight Lieutenant William Terence Clark has passed away this evening, only a few weeks after his 101st birthday. Our deepest condolences go out to his family and friends.
In 1959, the Daily Mail organised a London to Paris Air Race to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Louis Bleriot’s first cross-Channel flight. Lord Rothermere offered overall prize money of £10,000 for the fastest journey between the Arc de Triomphe and Marble Arch.
In the early 1950's, Caterham lad, Cedric Wort must have felt that he was on familiar ground when he heard the news that he was going to be posted to Kenley, as part of his National Service with the RAF.
In the early 50's I was an Air Cadet in the ATC 97th Sqn Mitcham Road Barracks and it was from Kenley that I took my very first flight in a Avro Anson.
Fond memories of Memory from 1953 to 1959 when as a cadet with 450 Squadron ATC. Served as cadet with final ...
In the late 70s I was part of a group (HAPS) that retrieved a Spitfire tail assembly from Kenley.
In June 1917 an area of Coulsdon Common, part of which was in use as a golf course, was commandeered for ...
RAF Kenley was re-activated at the end of January 1940 when Hurricanes of No 3 Squadron took up residence, even ...
The end of the war in 1945 saw the transition of the RAF from propeller driven to jet driven aircraft ...
Origins of Kenley Airfield Visit to No. 615 Squadron at Kenley, April 16th 1939 Churchill is in a seat-type parachute ...
Following the ending of the war in Europe, the principal allies convened in Potsdam to establish the means to administer Germany after her surrender. The first Foreign Ministers’ Conference was held in London. As a result, the Soviet delegation, under Vyacheslav Molotov arrived at Croydon on 9 September 1945.