Information about other airfields across the country can be found on the Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust website.
Having survived as a fighter pilot with 64 Squadron at Kenley during the Battle of Britain, Adrian Laws tragically lost his life on the 30th September 1940 in a mid-air collision, while stationed at RAF Leconfield.
My father, Ronald Parsonson, volunteered for the RAF when war broke out . He was prompted to join the RAF by his school friend and tennis partner Robert (Bob) Palmer who was later awarded a posthumous VC.
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.
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.
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 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.
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 ...
On 21st March, 1943, No.403 squadron, RCAF, attended a short church service in their dispersal hut at RAF Kenley.
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..
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.
The photos above come from Jan Jokiel's book “Participation of Poles in the Battle of Britain: a photo album with commentaries of the participants” (original title: “Udział Polaków w bitwie o Anglię: album fotografii uczestników z komentarzem”, Warszawa 1972). Jokiel
Peace conference shuttle Kenley had an important role ferrying Cabinet Ministers (including Winston Churchill), dignitaries and mail to the Paris Peace ...
On 23rd May, 1936, Empire Air Day at Kenley was marred by an 'unfortunate accident.'
S/L Norman Fowlow spent most of 1943 with the Canadian Wing at Kenley, and took command of 403 squadron RCAF, ...
"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."
In the twenty-first century, with safety paramount, deaths among RAF personnel have become uncommon. When one occurs it is given ...
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....
Although Glyn is not believed to have been stationed at RAF Kenley, he and his parents Ernest Andrew and Elizabeth Selina Ashfield, lived in Limpsfield and Oxted, Surrey for most of their lives.
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 8th December, 1940, Sgt. Bronislaw Malinowski, crashed in Hurricane Mk.I, (R4101, SD-I), at Wye, near Ashford, through illness - he had fainted, but was only slightly injured in the crash.
My starting primary school in my mind coincided with what Rob Wilton the comedian called “the day war broke out” adding “my wife said to me, Rob what are you doing to win this war”.
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.
Cecil Robert Montgomery was born in Lisnaskea, County Fermanagh in Northern Ireland early in 1914. His father was John Montgomery ...
