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.
On 20th October, 1944, at 20.09hrs, Batt.2./Art.Abt.(mot) 485 under the command of Hauptmann Neusch, launched the first V2 to land in the Croydon area.
We lived in 9 Anson Close while I was stationed at Kenley between 1963 - 1966. During our time there, it was being continually worked on by the Ministry of Public Building and Works.
On 25th August 1930, a promising young graduate from the RAF College at Cranwell arrived at Kenley to join his first squadron, No.23, flying the Gloster Gamecock.
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.
The story of how a startling entry in RAF Kenley's station diary led us to the tragic death of an Indian Air Force pilot.
Stanley Wilbur Matthews was born on 29th November 1918 in Winnipeg, Canada. He was the son of William Herbert Matthews, a supervisor at T. Eaton’s department store, and Ethel Rose Johnson.
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.
Douglas Harry Leason served in the RAF from the end of January 1936, until November 1945. We don't have many details about his service, but know that he was with No.615 Squadron in France and at Kenley during 1939/1940.
Long demolished, Flintfield House was a large Victorian/Edwardian Villa first acquired by the RAF in 1917, under the Defence of the Realm Act.
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.
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
‘On 27th August, 1943, Flying Officer Livingston ‘Cap’ Foster, of No.403 squadron RCAF, crash landed near Manston, without sustaining serious ...
Engage your young learners with the UK’s best preserved WW2 airfield!
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....
Here are a selection of our photos from our highly successful Learning Festival 2016. Local schoolchildren took part in a ...
On 6th September, 1943, 403 squadron's Operations Record Book recorded the arrival of one of Canada's finest fighter pilots....
Information on how to get to the event by free shuttlebus, public transport or by car. Please note there is limited grass parking available onsite and all cars must vacate the site by 5pm.
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.