RAF Kenley

RAF Kenley (or Kenley Aerodrome) was a station of the Royal Flying Corps in World War I and the RAF in World War II.

Related Topics:
Royal Flying Corps - World War I - RAF - World War II

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Its active phase commenced in 1917 and ceased in 1959 when Fighter Command left the aerodrome for good. It is now leased to a private gliding club.

Related Topics:
1917 - 1959 - Fighter Command - Gliding

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During World War II RAF Kenley was one of the three main fighter stations, together with Croydon Airport and Biggin Hill, responsible for the air-defence of London. It was during the crucial days of the Battle of Britain that all three RAF stations came into their own, fighting off the overwhelming might of the German Luftwaffe. Due recognition is also given to the pilots of the Commonwealth and Allied fighter squadrons who shared the honours with the RAF.

Related Topics:
World War II - Fighter station - Croydon Airport - Biggin Hill - Air-defence - London - Battle of Britain - Luftwaffe - Commonwealth - Allied

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To this day a number of the original 12 E-shaped blast pens, as well as the shelters for the servicing personnel which formed part of the background, may still be seen.

Related Topics:
Blast pens - Shelters

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The airfield at Kenley now hosts 615 VGS, a gliding squadron of the Air Cadet Organisation.

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It is indeed in a former aircraft parking area of one of these blast pens that a memorial was opened on 19th August 2000 which has been dedicated to the Royal Air Force and Allies of sixty years before, with the inscription:

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RAF Kenley Tribute In Honour Of All Personell Who Served Here 1917 - 1959

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• No. 88 Squadron RAF 1918
• No. 95 Squadron RAF 1918
• No. 105 Squadron RAF 1918
• No. 110 Squadron RAF 1918
• No. 116 Squadron RAF 1918
• No. 91 Squadron RAF 1918 - 1919
• No. 1 Squadron RAF 1919 & 1941
• No. 207 Squadron RAF 1920
• No. 84 Squadron RAF 1920
• No. 24 Squadron RAF 1920 - 1927
• No. 39 Squadron RAF 1920 - 1921
• No. 32 Squadron RAF 1925 - 1932
• No. 13 Squadron RAF 1924
• No. 23 Squadron RAF 1927 - 1932
• No. 17 Squadron RAF 1934 - 1940
• No. 3 Squadron RAF 1934 - 1940
• No. 46 Squadron RAF 1936 - 1937
• No. 80 Squadron RAF 1937
• No. 615 Squadron RAF 1937 - 1941
• No. 600 Squadron RAF 1938
• No. 604 Squadron RAF 1940
• No. 229 Squadron RAF 1940
• No. 64 Squadron RAF 1940
• No. 66 Squadron RAF 1940 & 1943
• No. 616 Squadron RAF 1940 & 1942
• No. 253 Squadron RAF 1949 - 1941
• No. 501 Squadron RAF 1940
• No. 258 Squadron RAF 1941
• No. 302 Squadron RAF (Polish) 1941
• No. 312 Squadron RAF (Czech) 1941
• No. 485 Squadron RAF (N.Z.) 1941 - 1942
• No. 602 Squadron RAF 1941 - 1942
• No. 452 Squadron RAF (Aus) 1941 - 1942
• No. 605 Squadron RAF 1941
• No. 111 Squadron RAF 1942
• 308th Pursuit Sq. (USAAF) 1942*
• No. 402 Squadron RAF (Can) 1942 - 1943
• No. 611 Squadron RAF 1942
• No. 401 Squadron RAF (Can) 1942 - 1943
• No. 412 Squadron RAF (Can) 1942 - 1943
• No. 350 Squadron RAF (Belg) 1942
• No. 403 Squadron RAF (Can) 1943 - 1944
• No. 411 Squadron RAF (Can) 1943
• No. 165 Squadron RAF 1943
• No. 421 Squadron RAF (Can) 1942 - 1944
• No. 416 Squadron RAF (Can) 1943 - 1944
• No. 400 Squadron RAF (Can) 1943
• No. 661 Squadron RAF RA & RAF 1949
• No. 61 Comms Flight - 1959

*Inscription actually reads No 308 Sq. (USAAF) 1942

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