Flying over Kenley Airfield - the Hurricane Mk IIc (left) in South East Asia Command (SEAC) camouflage, which was flown in wartime by Canadian Flt Lt Jimmy Whalen, DFC, who was killed in action on 18th April 1944, just five days before his 24th birthday. The Spitfire is a Mk LF IXe, now painted to represent a Mk IXc, the personal aircraft of Squadron Leader 'Johnny' Plagis, the Commanding Officer of 126 Squadron from July 1944. Photo by Steven Budd.

Kenley remembers ‘The Hardest Day’

by James Highsted

On Sunday, 16th August, a crowd of over 2,000 people flocked to Kenley Airfield to commemorate the 75th anniversary of ‘The Hardest Day’ during the Battle of Britain.

The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight - a Spitfire Mk LF lXe and Hurricane Mk llc, made a full display to remember the fateful day that saw the biggest loss of British and German aircraft during the battle on 18th August 1940. The display was sponsored by the Kenley Airfield Friends Group.

Organiser of the display, Mike Street, was delighted with how the day went and how all the hard work was rewarded with a great display.

Mike said: “I thought the day was extremely good and everything went well. It was a busy day, but the sight of the aircraft made it all very worthwhile.”

The display coincided with Kenley Heritage Day at the Portcullis Club field which saw guided walks take place with a mini-aircraft display, classic cars, barbecue and live band.

Alan Morgan, Chairman of Kenley Airfield Friends Group who organised the Heritage Day, said: “The day was a tremendous success which exceeded our expectations. It was great to see so many people attending to commemorate such an important day and remember all those brave young pilots who lost their lives during the Battle of Britain.”

The Hardest Day was marked again on Tuesday 18th August with a flypast of eight Spitfires and Hurricanes over Kenley Airfield and formations over other bases in the South-East.