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You are here: Home>History>Timeline of RAF Kenley>World War II

World War II

  • 'Friendly Fire' for 402 Squadron

    'Friendly Fire' for 402 Squadron

    On 23rd May, 1942, two pilots were injured, as well as one precious Spitfire lost and another damaged in an awful friendly fire incident involving Kenley's Canadian 402 Squadron and 91 Squadron from Hawkinge.
  • "Buck" McNair and the Injury He Tried to Hide

    "Buck" McNair and the Injury He Tried to Hide

    On 28th July, 1943, Squadron Leader 'Buck' McNair of 421 squadron, RCAF, escaped with his life when the engine of his Spitfire failed, forcing him to ditch in Channel. However, the injury he sustained that day eventually ended his flying career, though he kept it secret and returned to flying in combat within a month...
  • 403 Squadron Church Service - 21st March 1943

    403 Squadron Church Service - 21st March 1943

    On 21st March, 1943, No.403 squadron, RCAF, attended a short church service in their dispersal hut at RAF Kenley.
  • 47 Days: Kenley & the Battle of France

    47 Days: Kenley & the Battle of France

    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.
  • A Flying Fortress at Kenley? "Thumper Again" and the Schweinfurt Raid

    A Flying Fortress at Kenley? "Thumper Again" and the Schweinfurt Raid

    Kenley was never set up to accommodate large aircraft but we know from the Station diary, that there was the odd occasion when damaged bombers did land there in desperation as they limped home from raids over the Continent.
  • A Letter from "Dutch"

    A Letter from "Dutch"

    This letter dated 20th July 1945, was sent to Flight Sergeant "Pat" Glover by Petrus "Dutch" Hugo, who had risen up the ranks since the two had been stationed together at Kenley during the Battle of Britain.
  • A Long Affair...

    A Long Affair...

    A love letter with a difference from Kenley's best-known Wing Leader - James Edgar 'Johnnie' Johnson - the RAF's top-scoring fighter pilot of World War II.
  • A Puss Moth with a Past..

    A Puss Moth with a Past..

    on 4th September, 1941, G-AAVB, a de Havilland DH80a Puss Moth attempted to land in a crosswind at Kenley. It swung on landing and was damaged beyond repair, although the pilot escaped unhurt. This little aircraft had an interesting history.
  • A Tragedy in Maidstone

    A Tragedy in Maidstone

    One of Maidstone's most tragic wartime incidents happened on 10th October 1940, when a Kenley Hurricane, of No.253 squadron, crashed into houses in Albion Place.
  • A Visit From The King!

    A Visit From The King!

    On 29th April, 1942, R.A.F. Kenley received an unpublicised visit from King George VI, accompanied by Sir Sholto Douglas. He ...
  • AC2 Leslie Victor Knights of No.615 Squadron - 'The Only Way Out'

    AC2 Leslie Victor Knights of No.615 Squadron - 'The Only Way Out'

    On Friday 14th October, 1939, Leslie Victor Knights (30), his wife Queenie Hilda Mary Knights (28),and their two children John (5)  and Doris Jeanette (14 months),  were found dead from gas poisoning at their home at Parkway, Addington. The chain of events which led to this tragedy had begun with the seemingly trivial matter of a wrongly addressed letter..
  • American Spitfires Over Dieppe - The 308th Fighter Squadron at RAF Kenley

    American Spitfires Over Dieppe - The 308th Fighter Squadron at RAF Kenley

    "My number three man called that he was going down and I saw him bale out"
  • Barnett and Browne - Evasion, Capture and Escape!

    Barnett and Browne - Evasion, Capture and Escape!

    On 31st May, 1942, 485 New Zealand Squadron lost two pilots after combat with FW190's. Flight Sergeant Stan Browne and Flight Lieutenant Matthew "Garry" Barnett both baled out in the Abbeville area but made it back to England despite being captured!
  • Canadian Hiatus - Wing Commander Smallwood, 1943

    Canadian Hiatus - Wing Commander Smallwood, 1943

    Kenley is well known for the presence of its Canadian Wing formed in September 1942, later becoming 127 Wing, under ...
  • Christmas Eve, 1944...Stalag Luft III, Żagań, Poland

    Christmas Eve, 1944...Stalag Luft III, Żagań, Poland

    Squadron Leader MacDonell's memories of a poignant moment for the prisoners of Stalag Luft III.
  • F/Sgt. Jack Parsons Remembered by F/Sgt. Vic Milner - His "Buddy" From 615 Squadron

    F/Sgt. Jack Parsons Remembered by F/Sgt. Vic Milner - His "Buddy" From 615 Squadron

    We are indebted to Peter Parsons for sending in the information he has about his Father's service with 615 (County of Surrey) Squadron, much of which comes from Jack's Service file and a letter written to him in 1999 by Vic Milner, who served alongside Jack on 615's ground crew.
  • Flight Sergeant William George Rose

    Flight Sergeant William George Rose

    In August 2019, we were visited by the family of Flight Sergeant William George Rose, who served in RAF Kenley’s ...
  • Flying Officer Albert "Dickie" Ball of No.3 Squadron

    Flying Officer Albert "Dickie" Ball of No.3 Squadron

    On 10th May 1940, Germany attacked the Low Countries and what became known as ‘The Blitzkrieg’ was on. That morning No.3 Squadron's pilots were at their base at RAF Kenley. The day was bright and clear although the early morning peace had been disturbed when a section of Hurricanes had been scrambled to investigate an unidentified aircraft approaching the coast. 
  • Flying Officer Arthur John Ball DFC - Memories of Kenley and Redhill in Early 1941

    Flying Officer Arthur John Ball DFC - Memories of Kenley and Redhill in Early 1941

    The International Bomber Command Centre have kindly allowed us to reproduce this extract from Arthur John Ball's memoir which relates to the author's time serving at Kenley soon after completing his RAF basic training
  • Flying Officer James Ian "Skip" McKay

    Flying Officer James Ian "Skip" McKay

    On 13th July, 1943, a routine Fighter sweep for 403 squadron came to a disastrous conclusion for F/O James Ian ...
  • Flying Officer Livingston 'Cap' Foster

    Flying Officer Livingston 'Cap' Foster

    ‘On 27th August, 1943, Flying Officer Livingston ‘Cap’ Foster, of No.403 squadron RCAF, crash landed near Manston, without sustaining serious ...
  • From WAAF to War Bride

    From WAAF to War Bride

    Author and historian, Melynda Jarratt has been researching the history of Canadian War Brides since 1987. She wrote a book on the subject and dedicated it in part to her friend Doris Lloyd, who served at Kenley during the Battle of Britain. Here is her story....
  • George Frederick "Buzz" Beurling at Kenley

    George Frederick "Buzz" Beurling at Kenley

    On 6th September, 1943, 403 squadron's Operations Record Book recorded the arrival of one of Canada's finest fighter pilots....
  • Hugh Godefroy's photo of No.401 Squadron, RCAF, at RAF Kenley

    Hugh Godefroy's photo of No.401 Squadron, RCAF, at RAF Kenley

    We are indebted to Scott P. M. Godefroy for this wonderful photo of No.401 Squadron RCAF at RAF Kenley on 21st January, 1943.
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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
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