In the early 1950's, Caterham lad, Cedric Wort must have felt that he was on familiar ground when he heard the news that he was going to be posted to Kenley, as part of his National Service with the RAF.
On 17th November, 1921, an agreement was finally reached between the Air Council and the City of London, allowing the RAF to acquire part of the Common Land that constituted the aerodrome.
Following the ending of the war in Europe, the principal allies convened in Potsdam to establish the means to administer Germany after her surrender. The first Foreign Ministers’ Conference was held in London. As a result, the Soviet delegation, under Vyacheslav Molotov arrived at Croydon on 9 September 1945.
On 24th November, 1931, Flight Lieutenant Ernest Lacey and Pilot Officer John Edward Shrimpton were both killed when their De Havilland Gypsy Moth 60M (K1210) collided with one of 23 Squadron's Bristol Bulldogs (K1615), flown by Pilot Officer Frank Stokes, at 9.30am over Kenley Airfield.
On 24th November, 1931, Flight Lieutenant Ernest Lacey and Pilot Officer John Edward Shrimpton were both killed when their De Havilland Gypsy Moth 60M (K1210) collided with one of 23 Squadron's Bristol Bulldogs (K1615), flown by Pilot Officer Frank Stokes, at 9.30am over Kenley Airfield.
On the 23rd November, Â he was taking part in cloud formation flying practice with Sgt. L. J. Burke when they entered low cloud and flew into the side of Titsey Hill near Woldingham.
On 23rd November, 1937, Pilot Officers Keith Victor Keen and Montague Percival Richards, of 17 squadron were killed when their Gloster Gauntlets (K5344 and K5348) collided at 6.45pm near Old Coulsdon. They were carrying out a night railway signals detection duty.
On 23rd November, 1937, Pilot Officers Keith Victor Keen and Montague Percival Richards, of 17 squadron were killed when their Gloster Gauntlets (K5344 and K5348) collided at 6.45pm near Old Coulsdon. They were carrying out a night railway signals detection duty.
Junior Technician Richard William Blatch was born in Gosport, the son of Leonard and Winifred Blatch. He died of exposure after being caught in a blizzard while training, in Snowdonia, for a climbing expedition.
Corporal James Patrick McCann was born in 1926 in Clonaslee, Ireland. He died of exposure after being caught in a blizzard while training, in Snowdonia, for a climbing expedition.
2020 has been a very different kind of Remembrance, but our problems pale by comparison with the way people must have felt during the Remembrance of Armistice Day in November 1939.
