Pen 7 is the second most westerly of the pens on the northern side of the airfield and faces south. Today, ...
Born 8 March 1909 (now coincidentally International Women’s Day), Beatrice “Tilly” Shilling was considered one of the great engineers of her ...
We are very grateful to Roger Packham, from The Bourne Society, for his permission to show these postcards from his ...
Born: 2 November 1920 in Farningham, Kent Died: 17 September 1940. Shot down over Ashford, Kent Rank: Sergeant Pilot. Service number: 742787 Edward ...
On 16th June, 1944, only a few days after the V1 onslaught had begun, the people of Caterham experienced at first hand the destructive power of these 'doodlebugs,' when one fell in Chaldon Rd, near the junction with Heath Rd.
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...
Contractors are busy installing the new heritage signs at Kenley airfield, just in time for the 80th anniversary of 'The Hardest Day' of the Battle of Britain.
2nd Lieutenant Charles Henry Albert Godfrey, was a local lad whose family lived at No.5 Norfolk Terrace, Godstone Rd (the row of shops next to The Kenley Hotel). As far as we know, he never flew from RAF Kenley.
Wandle Park recently partnered with the Kenley Revival Project to host a World War Two poster- making workshop, using vintage ...
Local videographer Phil Swallow has made an excellent film about the history of Hamsey Green Aerodrome, just down the road from Kenley in Surrey.
On 11th December, 1919, an Airco DH.4A, owned and operated by 'Air Transport and Travel Ltd.' crashed in an open field near the Guards' Depot at Caterham.
On 11th January, 1942, Sgt. Maskill, of 485 (New Zealand) Squadron, had a lucky escape when he misjudged his landing..
On 31st May, 1942, 485 New Zealand Squadron lost two pilots after combat with FW190's. Flight Sergeant Stan Browne and Flight Lieutenant Matthew "Garry" Barnett both baled out in the Abbeville area but made it back to England despite being captured!
In the late 70s I was part of a group (HAPS) that retrieved a Spitfire tail assembly from Kenley.
In 1943, Squadron Leader Edward George Alford GM, was asked to recall his work at Kenley during the Battle of Britain. This extraordinary correspondence has been shared with the permission of Edward's daughter, Frances Hills Alford and her son, Brett. It has been transcribed as written by S/Ldr. Alford.
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...
While relating the stories of fighter combat during WW2, we often talk of ‘miraculous escapes,’ but what happened to P/O ...
It is tempting to think that we have nothing more to learn about 'The Hardest Day,' but somehow, one of Kenley's heroes has been overlooked, a Warrant Officer who was honoured for bomb disposal work which was pivotal in keeping Kenley operational during this vital stage of the Battle of Britain.
On 15th September 1939, Marjorie was one of the first women in her area to sign up. She joined the WAAF and was posted to Kenley Aerodrome.
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