On 1st September 2020, Daphne and John Clifton visited the memorial near the spot where their Uncle, Pilot Officer John Kenneth Grahame Clifton, lost his life at the height of The Battle of Britain.
on 4th September, 1941, G-AAVB, a de Havilland DH80a Puss Moth attempted to land in a crosswind at Kenley. It swung on landing and was damaged beyond repair, although the pilot escaped unhurt. This little aircraft had an interesting history.
Sgt. James Metham served briefly at RAF Kenley with No.253 Squadron during the Battle of Britain, before being shot down and injured on 2nd September, 1940.
SERGEANT PILOT CHARLES JAMES SQUIBB of 602 squadron RAFVR, was the son of John William J. and Sarah Squibb; husband of Iris Maude Squibb, of Bedfont, Middlesex.
Sergeant Pilot Ivor Morrison Brown of 602 squadron RAFVR, was the son of Douglas Campbell Brown and Frances Jane Brown, of Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand.
On 1st September, 1940, Sonia Carlile-Straw, a 19-year-old secretary from Caterham, manned an ARP post alone and took care of shocked and wounded casualties for 13 hours un-aided.
At 2.31am, on 27th August, 1940, a burning, crewless Heinkel He111 hit the ground, ploughed it's way across Queen's Park, Caterham, and into the rear garden of 21 Manor Rd, where it exploded, partially destroying the bungalow.
