At a reunion of No. 501 Squadron at RAF Kenley, surviving Battle of Britain pilots gather to swap stories and recall the events of 1940.
Nine Dornier Do17 bombers of the 9th Staffel took off from Cormeilles-En-Vexin, North of Paris, shortly before Midday on 18th August, 1940. RAF Kenley was their target. A summary of the crews and their fates.
Rolf Von Pebal's personal account and photographs of the raid, taken from the Dornier Do.17 flown by Feldwebel Reichel, 9th Staffel/KG76.
On 1st September 2020, Daphne and John Clifton visited the memorial near the spot where their Uncle, Pilot Officer John Kenneth Grahame Clifton, lost his life at the height of The Battle of Britain.
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.
How did RAF ground crew set up a fighter aircraft so that it would be an accurate gun platform for ...
Group Captain Myles Duke-Woolley DSO, DFC & Bar (1916-1991) was a young flight lieutenant on No. 253 Sqn at Kenley ...
This is a brief outline of the planes that took part in the attack on and defence of the airfields defending London and south-east England on Sunday 18 August 1940, specifically RAF Kenley.
Ernest Leonard Bailey was born on 19th March, 1920, in Birdham, Chichester, where he worked as a painter and decorator. Realising he would soon be called up, Ernie volunteered to join the RAF, thinking that would be better than the infantry. He enlisted at Uxbridge on his 20th birthday, in 1940, and was sent to Morecombe to do his Initial training.
We are grateful to June Marshall for sending in these photos and mementos of her father, Gerald Ewart Frank Hargrave.
Attack Alarm is an espionage novel written by author Hammond Innes, who was stationed at Kenley as an anti-aircraft gunner during the Battle of Britain. Not a great deal is known about Innes’s service in the Royal Artillery between 1940-1946, but his book written and published during the war offers an invaluable and detailed account based on his time at Kenley, most notably the devastating attack on 18 August 1940, Kenley’s Hardest Day.
Aircraftman Roberts brought down a Dornier Do.17 using Kenley's Parachute and Cable system - the first time the weapon was used successfully.
This is the story of Morris Barnett M.B.E., 1914- 1998. (ex-F/Lt O/C 6223 BD Squad), as told by his son ...
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.
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....
The local and national press covered the events of the 18th August 1940 for many weeks after the event; the ...
Sgt. James Metham served briefly at RAF Kenley with No.253 Squadron during the Battle of Britain, before being shot down and injured on 2nd September, 1940.
