1931 - Outbreak of World War II

'Kenley Airport?'
On 16th February, 1936, RAF Kenley was an 'airport' for a few hours!
Air Marshal Sir John Darcy Baker-Carr, KBE, CB, AFC
Sir John Darcy Baker-Carr served at RAF Kenley with No.32 Fighter Squadron from Spring 1930 until April 1932.
Empire Air Day, 1936
On 23rd May, 1936, Empire Air Day at Kenley was marred by an 'unfortunate accident.'
Gladiators Over Hove
On 24th January, 1938, Sgt. Ernest Harry Lomax, of No.3 squadron, Kenley, bailed out of his Gloster Gladiator (K6150) when he got into a spin from which he couldn't recover, while practicing aerobatics in a formation of four.
London Attacked! 1934
R.A.F. Kenley looks woefully unprepared for War in this British Pathe newsreel filmed at Kenley, in 1934… The “attacking” aircraft are ...
Pilot Officer Hugh Henry-May Photographs
We are indebted to Michael Henry-May for these beautiful photos of Pilot Officer Hugh Henry-May and his family. Hugh lost ...
Pilot Officer William Daniel Disbrey - A Horseshoe for Luck!
Pilot Officer William Daniel Disbrey wrote off two of No.3 Squadron's Bristol Bulldog fighters within a week during 1934, and escaped relatively unscathed..but would his luck hold out?
Remembrance 1939
2020 has been a very different kind of Remembrance, but our problems pale by comparison with the way people must have felt during the Remembrance of Armistice Day in November 1939.
Sgt. Loxton 'drops in' on Forster Memorial Park, Catford!
The 11th January, 1932, wasn't a great day for Sergeant Pilot Wilfred William Loxton, of No.32 Squadron, RAF Kenley...
The Crash of Gloster Gauntlet Mk.II, K5359, coded UV-B
On 8th May, 1939, Gloster Gauntlet Mk. II, K5359, of 17 squadron, stalled and hit the ground as it side-slipped attempting to land at RAF Kenley.
The Early Hurricanes of No.3 Squadron and the Crash of Hugh Henry-May.
In March 1938, No.3 Squadron were proud to be the second R.A.F. Fighter squadron, after No.111, at Northolt, to get ...
The Formation of No.615 (County of Surrey) Squadron
Of the many squadrons which served at RAF Kenley, No.615 County of Surrey, "Churchill's own," is probably the one most closely associated with the airfield.

Timeline of RAF Kenley

1917-1930
1917-present
1931 - Outbreak of World War II
Battle of Britain
Historic Maps of RAF Kenley
World War II