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.
On 19th October, 1945, No.435 squadron, RCAF, had only been at Croydon for a few days when one of their Dakotas (KG439) stalled and dived into the front garden of a house in Mitchley Avenue, Sanderstead, not long after take-off.
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...
On 21st March, 1943, No.403 squadron, RCAF, attended a short church service in their dispersal hut at RAF Kenley.
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.
At 9.16am, on 28th June, 1944, four members of the Survey Party, 4th Medium Regt, Royal Canadian Artillery, were lying down near their jeep behind their billet at 22 Matlock Rd, Caterham on the Hill, when an enemy air raid swept overhead.....
Kenley is well known for the presence of its Canadian Wing formed in September 1942, later becoming 127 Wing, under ...
On 13th July, 1943, a routine Fighter sweep for 403 squadron came to a disastrous conclusion for F/O James Ian ...
‘On 27th August, 1943, Flying Officer Livingston ‘Cap’ Foster, of No.403 squadron RCAF, crash landed near Manston, without sustaining serious ...
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....
On 6th September, 1943, 403 squadron's Operations Record Book recorded the arrival of one of Canada's finest fighter pilots....
We are indebted to Scott P. M. Godefroy for this wonderful photo of No.401 Squadron RCAF at RAF Kenley on 21st January, 1943.
By June 1944, Kenley had been left behind as our Forces moved forward on the offensive. The last of Kenley’s ...
On 19th April, 1943, a serious accident befell Pilot Officer Cooke (J21231) of No.416 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force, during take-off from Kenley...
On 20th December 1943, fate dealt a terrible blow to Flying Officer Robert Temple Pentland, of 403 squadron, RCAF, but his life was by no means over...
"There were times in France when, before a patrol, my stomach would writhe at the thought of meeting a violent end, but I put on an act of don't-give-a-damn rather than let anyone know it."
On 3rd February, 1943, 416 squadron, RCAF, were escorting Ventura bombers to St. Omer when they were attacked by FW190s of JG26. P/O John Rainville was lucky to escape with his life..
When Flight Lieutenant John Trull's engine failed over Lille on 20th February, 1944, he must have wondered if he would live to see another day, let alone marry his sweetheart...
On 15th January, 1943, 401 squadron RCAF, flying from Kenley, lost Sergeant Pilot William Kennedy Ferguson…. From the squadron Operations Record ...
At 16.25hrs, on 15th December, 1943, Spitfire IX, BS288, caught fire over East Grinstead, forcing the pilot, Flight Sergeant E. L. Hampson (138274), to abandon the aircraft and take to his parachute. The Spitfire plummeted into the ground at Forest Row.
S/L Norman Fowlow spent most of 1943 with the Canadian Wing at Kenley, and took command of 403 squadron RCAF, ...
On 4th September 1943, Squadron Leader Frank Edward "Bitsy" Grant brought down his first FW190 after taking command of 403 squadron, but following that engagement, failed to rejoin his squadron. He was posted as "missing" and subsequently found to have been killed in action.
