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.
Allan Corkett flew with No.253 Squadron at RAF Kenley during the Battle of Britain. Here, Jo Corkett pays tribute to the relative she sadly never met and Dave Brocklehurst MBE, of Kent Battle of Britain Museum, explains the significance of the items which Allan donated to the museum.
Nine Dornier Do17 bombers of the 9th Staffel took off from Cormeilles-En-Vexin, North of Paris, shortly before Midday on 18th August, 1940. RAF Kenley was their target. A summary of the crews and their fates.
Ted Ballam's childhood memories of RAF Kenley
On 21st March, 1943, No.403 squadron, RCAF, attended a short church service in their dispersal hut at RAF Kenley.
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.
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...
Originally there were 12 pens at Kenley, of which all except one still exist in various states of completeness. In this article, Neil Broughton examines their construction and the differences between them.
On 27th July, 1943, George Clinton Keefer, who had been in command of 412 squadron RCAF for about 6 weeks, was leading them on a late afternoon sweep 15 miles over France, when the engine of his Spitfire, packed up.
Sheila used to fill in for Douglas Bader's secretary when he was away and got to know Bader quite well. The staff used to refer to the management by their initials and Bader was known as "B."
In the early 50's I was an Air Cadet in the ATC 97th Sqn Mitcham Road Barracks and it was from Kenley that I took my very first flight in a Avro Anson.
