Sergeant Wladyslaw Mordasiewicz was a Polish serviceman who served in the 302 Polish Fighter Squadron during the Second World War. In 1941, 302 Squadron was stationed at RAF Kenley for five months, where Sergeant Mordasiewicz served as an office orderly from 7 April to 5 September. Despite only a short stay, he was able to recount in his diary some notable and interesting occurrences during his time at Kenley.
Following their departure from Kenley on 21 April 1941, 615 Squadron continued to operate the Hawker Hurricane as their mount on travels to Wales, Kent and finally India. Stationed at Alipore, near Calcutta (Kolkata), it was not until 30 September 1943 that they began swapping their Hurricane IIs for Spitfire Vs.
On 18th August, 1940, RAF Kenley was singled out for a complicated pincer attack, by Bomber Geshwader 76, which, if it had been successful, would have put the airfield out of action.
10 August 1944 would be the blackest day for 615 Squadron and not due to enemy action...
So far as human knowledge can tell, this shelter is safe from all bombing' said Mr F H Jones, chairman of the Surrey County Council at Kenley on Saturday, when opening the new deep shelter which has been cut into the heart of the chalk under Riddlesdown.
The 11th January, 1932, wasn't a great day for Sergeant Pilot Wilfred William Loxton, of No.32 Squadron, RAF Kenley...
The association of Canadians with Kenley airfield goes back to its beginnings in 1917 when lumberjacks from the Canadian Forestry ...
There was an article on TV recently in which they asked for information on any wartime 'Unsung heroes'. I don't know about the hero bit, but what I, and my mates, did is certainly unsung, and as far as I know, has not been mentioned anywhere since.
On 21st June, 1919, two Canadian Flight Lieutenant's from No.1 (Communications) Squadron set off to deliver a diplomat to the Middle East, narrowly avoiding disaster along the way and gaining a charismatic passenger, Colonel T. E. Lawrence - later known as "Lawrence of Arabia."
On 7th November, 1929, Sergeant Francis Lawrence White and Flying Officer Reginald Stradling Collins, both of No.23 squadron based at ...
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.....
On 29th September, 1944, five men perished in Avro Anson NK607, as it hit a tree in thick cloud and crashed in woods, somewhere within the grounds of an Army Ordnance Depot, near Dean Lane, Merstham, about three miles from RAF Kenley.
Kenley Revival is participating in a new heritage trail to highlight the rich aviation history of the South-East of England has been launched by Military Aviation Heritage Networks.
A routine practice flight took a disastrous turn for F/O Montgomery and the pupils of Locksheath Council School.
Graphic artist Simon Grant recollects one of his earliest memories was of his father pointing out a Spitfire fighter when ...
RAF Kenley was re-activated at the end of January 1940 when Hurricanes of No 3 Squadron took up residence, even ...
Samantha Furmanis kindly contacted us to pass on this wonderful photo of No.615 (County of Surrey) Squadron, which includes her Father, Leading Aircraftman Albert Edward Hart, standing three rows behind Arthur Vere Harvey, the Squadron's Commanding Officer, who is seated in the very centre of the photo.
On the 16th May, 1921, RAF Kenley was visited by Crown Prince (soon to be Emperor) Hirohito of Japan.
During the 1950's, RAF Kenley hosted several firefighting competitions. Jane Collman Williams has given permission for us to add these photos and cuttings which came from her Grandfather Edward John Charles Williams OBE.
These are the memories of Corporal Frederick Victor Bashford who served with No.615 (County of Surrey) Squadron, through the Battle of France and the Battle of Britain, from notes taken during a telephone call on 24th July 2020.