The Kent Battle of Britain Museum, Aerodrome Road, Hawkinge (2026)

01/09/2026

Here's one of several Luftwaffe reconnaissance photographs of Folkestone and RAF Hawkinge, that were taken on Sunday 1st September 1940, eighty-six years ago today, and originates from our large archive at the Kent Battle of Britain Museum Trust at Hawkinge (www.kbobm.org).

If you look carefully at RAF Hawkinge, you will see a squadron of RAF fighters at 'B' Flight Dispersal, near Killing Wood (right hand side of the airfield and behind the White Horse Public House). You will also note the bombed-out hangars and buildings and the numerous bomb craters that litter the airfield.

For those of you that are familiar with the Folkestone area, just below Churchill Avenue and to the right of Cherry Garden Avenue (both tree-lined), known as Broadmead Village, is where the Folkestone Golf Course was during the Second World War. It was also used as a 'dummy airfield' for Hawkinge so on occasions was hit by Luftwaffe Bombers instead of RAF Hawkinge. You will notice bomber craters amongst some of the bunkers where this very decoy worked.

The Museum, Museum Shop and No. 25 Squadron Mess and Tea Rooms are currently open Tuesdays to Sundays 10am to 5pm with last entry by 4pm. Please allow at least two hours for your visit and if you have an interest in the period, you will no doubt need a lot longer!

For further information on the Museum please have a look at our excellent and informative website: www.kbobm.org

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Many Thanks as always…

31/08/2026

At the Kent Battle of Britain Museum Trust (www.kbobm.org) at Hawkinge we commemorate literally thousands of Battle of Britain airmen of all Nations, each and every day. This might be aided by twisted relics excavated from over seven hundred Battle of Britain crash-sites that are represented in the Museum or sometimes with personal effects from a member of 'The Few' or a Luftwaffe aircrew.

Each day the Museum Volunteers highlight the 'casualties of the day' with a simple 'shot down on this day' sign accompanied by a couple of poppies. Some days we have over sixty of these 'signs’ attached to their respective boards of commemoration. Today, Monday 31st August 2026, there are thirty-nine of these signs on displayed in the Museum. One of these commemorates Squadron Leader Harold M. Starr.

Harold Starr was born in Swindon on the 8th September 1914 and was educated at Clarence Street School. When his family moved to Bristol, he attended the Cotham Secondary Modern School where he became a member of the Officers Training Corps. On the 16th March 1934 Harold Starr was granted a six-year short service commission with the rank of Acting Pilot Officer in the Royal Air Force. After completing a short disciplinary course at No. 1 RAF Depot, Uxbridge, he was posted to 5 Flying Training School, at Sealand on the 3rd April 1934. One of his flying instructors was Tom Gleave who will figure later in this narrative. Starr joined No.13 (Army co-operation) squadron at Old Sarum on the 4th March 1935 and was made pilot officer on the 16th March 1935.

On the 5th June 1936 Harold Starr was flying Audux K2028, when he experienced engine failure and crashed at Hunt’s Copse Farm, South Marston, near Swindon. He was seriously injured and did not return to flying until the 28th June 1937, when he joined No.59 (Army Co-operation) Squadron at Old Sarum. Starr was promoted to a Flying Officer on the 16th October 1936. On the 19th January 1938 he was posted to No.2 (Army Co-operation) squadron at Hawkinge and was promoted to a Flight Lieutenant on the 16th October 1938. Harold Starr took part in an amateur production of ‘Hawk Island’, which was staged in the RAF Hawkinge’s gymnasium during December 1938.

Starr went to a staff job at RAF Uxbridge in May 1939 but re-joined No. 2 (Army Co-operation) squadron, then at Andover, on the 3rd November 1939 as a Flight Commander. He was promoted to a Squadron Leader on the 1st July 1940 and was then posted to 6 Operational Training Unit, as Sutton Bridge on the 1st July 1940. On the 19th July 1940 Starr was posted to No.245 Squadron at Aldergrove, as a Supernumerary Squadron Leader.

On the 8th August 1940 Starr was given command of No.253 Squadron at Turnhouse (he replaced Squadron Leader Thomas P. Gleave, who was posted away on the 9th August, but allowed stay with the squadron until called upon by Air Vice Marshal R. E. Saul, the Air Officer Commander of 13 Group). The squadron moved south to Kenley on the 29th August and the next day, 11.30am, Starr’s Hurricane, P2960, was hit in its engine by a 20mm cannon shell over Redhill. He returned to base, unhurt.

At 8.25am on Saturday the 31st August 1940, eighty-five years ago today, Squadron Leader Harold M. Starr was shot down by enemy fighters during an interception patrol. He baled out of his Hurricane, L1830, and was machine gunned by a Messerschmitt Bf 109E during his descent by parachute. He fell dead at the Hammill Brickwork’s at Hammill, near Eastry, Kent. His Hurricane, L1830, crashed to earth on Dene Farm, West Stourmouth. Harold Starr was eight days off his twenty-six birthday and was buried in the Swindon (Radnor Street) Cemetery, Wiltshire.

Mr. H. G. Bennett witnessed the unsavoury demise of Squadron Leader Harold Starr and later wrote; ‘I was working as a gardener at Eastry House, and used to start work at 7.00am, work until 8.00am and then return home for my breakfast and resumed working at 8.30am. It was as I returned to work that morning that I saw a parachute coming down over the Hammill Brickwork’s. As most of the dogfights took place at some altitude, I didn’t see the aircraft, but as the parachute came drifting down, I saw quite a number of enemy aircraft circling. Suddenly one of the Messerschmitt’s dived towards the pilot on the parachute, and then the rest also piled in – I could hear the sound of machine-gunning.’

The crash-site of Hurricane, L1830, was excavated by members of the Museum in 1976 from Dene Farm, West Stourmouth. The Rolls-Royce Merlin Mk. II Engine was unearthed and can now been seen on show in the Stuart-Buttle Memorial Hangar.

After the loss of Squadron Leader Harold Starr the command of No.253 squadron reverted to Squadron Leader ‘Tom’ Gleave once more, but he was shot down at 1.00pm on Saturday 31st August, during a major attack on Biggin Hill by a German bomber force. Gleave baled out, grievously burned, and was admitted to Orpington Hospital. Later Gleave went to the Queen Victoria Hospital, East Grinstead and underwent plastic surgery by Sir Archibald McIndoe. He became the Vice-President and a Founder-member of the Guinea Pig Club on 21st July 1941. He died in 1993.

After the death of Squadron Leader Harold Starr and the loss of Squadron Leader Tom Gleave on the 31st August 1940, Flight Lieutenant William P. Cambridge, as Senior Flight Commander, assumed command of No.253 Squadron. On the 6th September 1940 he was killed after baling out of his Hurricane during a routine patrol. His acting rank (Acting Squadron Leader) was ignored, and he was officially buried as a Flight Lieutenant. No.253 Squadron had lost three Squadron Commanders in one week.

Harold’s younger brother, Wing Commander Norman John Starr DFC and Bar, served with distinction in both the European and Mediterranean theatres of war. On the 8th January 1945 Wing Commander Norman Starr was killed whilst flying an unarmed Avro Anson back to England to get married. The Anson was shot down and W/Cmdr. Norman Starr and his three companions were buried at Dunkirk.

Please 'like', 'share' and ‘comment’, and help us commemorate another one of 'The Few'.

Thank you...

31/08/2026

Eighty-six years ago today, 31st August 1940, Picture Post published what became one of their most iconic editions and featured on the front cover the nineteen-year-old P/O Keith R. Gillman.

Tragically P/O Keith R. Gillman had been posted ‘missing believed killed’ six days earlier on 25th August 1940. He was last seen approximately three miles south of Dover, his hometown, and remains missing to this day.

One can only imagine the heartbreak this brought his parents and family, made even worse by seeing his picture on the front of magazines and on Recruitment Posters for the rest of the Second World War and beyond.

Did Keith know he would be famous at the time of his death? The answer is probably yes, as at least one front cover and several other publications and adverts were published prior to the 25th August 1940, the day he was posted missing in action over the English Channel.

The photograph was one of a series taken by Fox Photos at RAF Hawkinge on the afternoon of 29th July 1940 at ‘A’ Flight Dispersal, a short distance away from where the Kent Battle of Britain Museum Trust (www.kbobm.org ) at Hawkinge now stands.

Keith Gillman was the first of seven airmen from his Squadron to be recreated in life-size sculptures by the talented Stephen Melton from SPACER at Thanet. These form a lasting Monument, known as the ‘Spirit of The Few’, and were unveiled on the grass at the Kent Battle of Britain Museum Trust at Hawkinge on Friday 29th July 2022, eighty-two years after the famous photographs were taken.

For further information on the ‘Spirit of The Few’ Memorial please click on the following link: https://www.kbobm.org/spirit_of_the_few.html

If you would like to help us achieve this landmark Monument, you can do so by donating via our JustGiving Page: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/spirit-of-the-few-hawkinge?fbclid=IwY2xjawUCsh9wZG9mAWV4dG4DYWVtAjEwAGJyaWQRMG9nQ3FqbnpjTmxubHN6TUVzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeYymttx69wle0jy-rbQez42tFzT1DGh1N--haMtRTSDodM1Ap0qfN5Iv6kk8_aem_vQLpdg9npHVoj3dOo9HsAg

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Many Thanks…

30/08/2026

‘Repeat Please?’

We are no doubt all familiar with the famous scene in the 1969 Battle of Britain Motion Film and the Polish airmen that peals away from a training flight to shoot down a Heinkel He 111 (CASA 2.111B).

We, the Kent Battle of Britain Museum Trust at Hawkinge (www.kbobm.org), display the foreshortened Hurricane used for the close-up cockpit scenes, and is on display in the Stuart-Buttle Memorial Hangar.

As some of you know, this scene was based on a certain number of facts that happened eighty-six years ago today.

No. 303 Squadron ‘B’ Flight took off at 16.15 hours on 30th August 1940 for an interception exercise with some Bristol Blenheim’s. They arrived at St. Albans at 16.35 hours and met the Blenheim’s at 9,000 feet. Five Hurricanes remained with the Blenheim’s and es**rted them to Northolt.

At around 14,000 feet some sixty Dornier Do 17’s or Dornier Do 215’s were flying eastwards, es**rted by around sixty Messerschmitt Bf 110’s. The Dornier’s were in pairs and the Me 110’s were in vics of between five and nine aircraft weaving between the bombers, above and a little behind.

‘Green 1’, Flying Officer Ludwik Paszkiewicz, tried to communicate with Apany Leader by radio, then went in front of the formation and waggled his wings, turning towards the enemy who were above and flying eastwards. He saw a Do 17 or Do 215, which was below this formation, banking towards him. When the enemy aircraft was almost head-on, he saw the Hurricane and dived steeply, followed by Green 1. When the enemy aircraft straightened out, Green 1 closed and fired a burst at 250 yards at the fuselage from dead astern – no effect apparent. Green 1 closed to 100 yards, and getting under the enemy aircraft fired a long burst at the starboard engine, closing to point blank range. Engine stopped ad caught fire. Green 1 broke away. Hurricane UCJ (actually ‘US’ - No. 56 Squadron) came in to attack just as a parachute left the enemy aircraft which then dived. Green 1 attacked again with a short burst, though he realised at once that it was unnecessary. Enemy aircraft crashed and exploded.’

‘Green 1, regained height, failed to locate his flight and returned to RAF Northolt, landing a few minutes before they returned.’

The other Hurricane was flown by Pilot Officer Bryan J. Wicks of No. 56 Squadron. P/O Wicks was flying as Red 2 in ‘A’ Flight and later wrote in his combat report: -

‘I was flying as Red 2 and I did a No. 2 attack from underneath on a Heinkel He 111 in the rear section without visible effect. I was in course of approaching for another attack on the bombers when I was attacked by two Messerschmitt Bf 110’s from above and head-on. Having extricated myself I saw a Me 110 dive past me, followed by a Hurricane. The Me 110 levelled out and the Hurricane closed to no range and then broke away, leaving the Me 110 apparently unscathed. With full throttle and emergency boost overhauled the Me 110 and got on its tail at about 5,000 feet. I opened fire at 150 yards and after 2 seconds’ firing everything seemed to fall off the enemy aircraft and the pilot bailed out successfully and I nearly collided with him and the pieces. As I broke off the Hurricane followed the enemy aircraft down and I saw another aircraft with markings ‘RE’ (in fact they were ‘RF’ for No. 303 Squadron) circling round the scene of the crash.’

The Messerschmitt Bf 110C-4, Werke No. 3615 and coded M8+MM, was from 4th Staffel of Zerstörergeschwader 76 was shot down by F/O Ludwik Paszkiewicz and P/O Bryan J. Wicks. The wireless operator, Unteroffizier Heinrich Nordmeier baled out seriously injured, with several breaks in his spine and a large gash on his forehead. He was made a prisoner of war. The aircraft hit a tree and dived into the ground at high-speed at Barley Beans Farm, Kimpton, Hertfordshire, killing the pilot, Oberfeldwebel Georg Anthony, aged twenty-seven. The time is recorded as 16.30 hours.

Oberfeldwebel George Anthony was buried a week later with a Military Funeral and the cortege passing through the streets of Hitchin, before being buried in the Hitchin Cemetery, where he remains to this day.

As famously depicted in the Battle of Britain Motion Film, Squadron Leader Edwards, with the aid of an interpreter, berates the Polish pilots for attacking the German bombers against orders, before pulling a telegram out of his pocket and says: - ‘Finally, and God alone knows why, I’ve received the following signal. Congratulation! As of today, this Squadron is operational’ Signed, Air Vice Marshall Keith Park, AOC 11 Group.

This actually happened when Squadron Leader Kellet officially reprimanded F/O Ludwik Paszkiewicz and, in the next breath, informed that he and the Squadron were now considered fully operational!

The landowner recovered the crash-site in 1982 and amongst the items recovered was this Bady Browning Pistol which was acquired by the Kent Battle of Britain Museum Trust (www.kbobm.org) at Hawkinge in October 2023 and now this important story can be retold in the Museum for perpetuity.

Flying Officer Ludwik Paszkiewicz was shot down and killed on 27th September 1940. His Hurricane Mk. I, Serial No. L1696, crashed at Crowhurst Farm, Borough Green and Paszkiewicz was buried in Northwood Cemetery and commemorated on the Polish Air Force Memorial at RAF Northolt. On 29th September 2018 our friends at the Shoreham Aircraft Museum installed a Memorial close to the crash-site of his Hurricane. Items excavated from his Hurricane Mk. I, Serial No. L1696, can be seen amongst the displays in the Operation Block at the Kent Battle of Britain Museum Trust at Hawkinge.

On 26th August 1940, four days before shooting down the Messerschmitt Bf 110, Bryan Wicks was shot down by a Messerschmitt Bf 109E in combat over Canterbury. He baled out unhurt and his Hurricane Mk. I, Serial No. V7340, crashed into the River Stour near Grove Ferry, Kent. His camera gun and parts of his Hurricane were recovered by members of the Museum in the 1970s and these are displayed in the Armoury Building at the Kent Battle of Britain Museum Trust at Hawkinge.

Bryan Wicks was posted ‘missing believed killed’ on 12th October 1942 whilst commanding No. 126 Squadron at Luqa in Malta. The Squadron engaged Junkers JU 88’s attacking Hal Far and he was seen to bale out of his Spitfire Mk. V, Serial No. BR377, though obviously injured. His parachute deployed but no trace of him was ever found. He was 22 years old and is commemorated on the Malta Memorial.

For everything you need to know about the Museum please have a look at our excellent and informative website: www.kbobm.org

Please ‘like’, ‘share’, and ‘comment.’

Many Thanks as always…

30/08/2026

Another of those who was shot down and killed in combat eighty-six years ago today was P/O David ‘Nick’ N. O. Jenkins, who was flying Hurricanes with No. 253 Squadron operating out of RAF Kenley.

We have displayed excavated fragments from the crash-site of P/O Jenkin’s Hurricane for many years but in 2024 we were fortunate to purchase the control column from his aircraft that had been acquired on the day of the crash and kept in the family ever since.

It was ‘souvenired’ by Maurice John Davis who was born in Warlingham, Surrey, in 1926 and as a fourteen-year-old boy found himself watching the Battle of Britain raging overhead as he lived between RAF Kenley and RAF Biggin Hill. As he later wrote: -

‘For us young men this was a time of much excitement and collecting parts of downed aircraft was very much a passion. It was the 30th August 1940 when Pilot Officer Jenkins of No. 253 Squadron took off from RAF Kenley to intercept the enemy. His aircraft was shot down over Redhill, but he managed to bail out only to be shot and killed under his parachute. His Hawker Hurricane subsequently crashed in Butlers Dene Road in Woldingham. I cycled there as fast as I could before a picket could be sent to the site. To my surprise the holy grail of souvenir collecting, the head of the control column was lying amongst the surface debris; the heavier elements had ploughed deep into the ground. I picked it up, put it inside my leather jerkin and cycled home.’

‘The war progressed, and I put my age up in 1943 and joined the Fleet Air Arm. After training, I saw service on Russian convoys with aircraft carrier HMS Activity and then back to Europe after D-DAY attached to the American Eightieth Tactical Air Force. I was an ex-serviceman at twenty. On returning home I was somewhat dismayed to find my father had dumped my Battle of Britain collection, he didn’t want his shed cluttered up! Thankfully the control column was spared.’

‘Some years later I mounted the piece on a wooden plaque and fitted a clock in the centre. This is how it remains today.’ Maurice J. Davis died at the age of 94.

Dave from the Museum was contacted by his son, Keith Davis, in March 2024 and after some negotiations a price was agreed and Keith delivered the control column from P/O Jenkins Hurricane, together with a bundle of correspondence, to the Museum on Easter Monday, 1st April 2024.

Here is the brief story of P/O ‘Nick’ Jenkins: -

At 11.20am, on Friday 30th August 1940, Hurricane Mk. I, Serial No. P3921 of No.253 Squadron was shot down during combat with Messerschmitt Bf 109E’s over Redhill. The pilot, P/O David ‘Nick’ N. O. Jenkins baled out, but was machine-gunned by enemy fighters, during his parachute descent and killed. An official listing and eyewitnesses state, that he was ‘killed by enemy fighters.’ His Hurricane crashed to earth at Butlers Dene Road, Woldingham. There is some evidence to suggest that Oblt. Rath and Lt. Ziegler of II/JG 54 were the two pilots that were shooting at P/O Jenkins, as he was descending by parachute. They were so engrossed in killing Jenkins, that they failed to see each other and collided. Both managed to bale out and were captured. (It is interesting to note that his Casualty Pack disputes the eyewitnesses and states that he went in with his Hurricane).

Jenkins was born on 13th May 1919, the son of Reverend Canon William Owen Jenkins D. D. and Horatia Mary Jekins (nee Winter), of St. Andrews, Fife. He attended Marlborough College between 1933 and 1937 before going to St. Andrews University. He joined the RAF on a ‘Short Service Commission’ and began his initial training on 6th February 1939 at E&RFTS Perth. From there he went to 2 FTS Brize Norton for No. 39 Course, which ran from 1st May to 6th November 1939. After completing is training he was posted to join the newly formed No.253 Squadron at Manston, on 6th November 1939.

On 16th May 1940, Jenkins went with ‘B’ Flight to France. On 18th May he claimed a Dornier Do 17 destroyed and one damaged. Shortly after this, he attacked a Messerschmitt Bf 110 but was hit by return fire, receiving a bullet in his engine. He was forced to land at Glisy, with his engine seized. On 7th August, returning from Aldergrove to Turnhouse, Jenkins got into difficulties whilst flying in cloud at night. He decided to bale out and landed at Fail Mains Farm, a half mile from where his Hurricane Mk. I Serial No. P3457, crashed, five miles east of Prestwick.

On 29th August, No. 253 Squadron arrived at RAF Kenley, after resting at Prestwick in Scotland. During the next day, five of the Squadron’s Hurricanes were destroyed and three damaged, whilst three pilots were killed and one wounded. P/O ‘Nick’ Jenkins was 21 years old and is buried in St. Margaret’s Churchyard, Bagendon, Gloucestershire.

The control column and excavated parts from his Hurricane are displayed at the Kent Battle of Britain Museum Trust at Hawkinge (www.kbobm.org) forming a permanent and long-lasting memorial to P/O Jenkins.

If you would like to visit the largest and most comprehensive collection of Battle of Britain artefacts on show anywhere in the world, please have a look at our excellent and informative website: www.kbobm.org

Please ‘like’, ‘share’, ‘comment’, but more importantly remember P/O ‘Nick’ Jenkins.

Many Thanks as always…

30/08/2026

In Memory of Acting Squadron Leader James E. Marshall, who flew and fought in the Battle of Britain with No.85 Squadron and was shot down eighty-six years ago today, 30th August 1940. He was tragically killed in a flying accident 18th April 1942.

Here is a snapshot of his short life: -

At 10.36am on 30th August 1940 (eighty-six years ago today) eleven Hurricanes of No. 85 Squadron were scrambled from Croydon and ordered to orbit Dungeness at 18,000 feet.
As the Squadron circled, they could see a large enemy formation of enemy aircraft forming up over the north French coast and then setting course across the English Channel. The enemy made up of about fifty Heinkel He 111's flying at 16,000 feet and es**rted by Messerschmitt Bf110's stepped up to 20,000 feet, crossed the coast, No. 85 Squadron followed the formation inland, keeping up-sun of it, until they were well ahead of the enemy.
Squadron Leader Peter Townsend then led a head-on attack against the bombers with each section attacking in turn. This broke up the bomber formation, although the fighter es**rt prevented many of the Hurricanes from making further attacks on the Heinkel’s. Flight Lieutenant James Eglington Marshall, in Hurricane Mk.I Serial No. V6624 and coded 'VY-D', was forced to bale out when his aircraft was hit. He was unhurt and landed safely near Ashford.

The Kent Battle of Britain Museum Trust excavated the crash-site of his Hurricane in the early 1970’s, and artefacts unearthed can be seen on display in the Operation Block at the Museum.

By then an Acting Squadron Leader, James E. Marshall, who originated from Dover in Kent, was killed on 18th April 1942. He had been visiting his former colleagues of No.85 Squadron at Hunsdon and his girlfriend Susan Pawle. After taking off in a Boston Mk.III (Turbinlite), Serial No. W8276, to return to his squadron, No.1452 (Turbinlite) Flight, at West Malling, Marshall carried out an aerobatic ‘beat up’ of his girlfriend’s home, during which his aircraft was seen to flip over onto its back and dived into the ground at Priory Farm, Widford.

James E. Marshall was 23 years old and was buried in the Maidstone Cemetery, Kent.

On Monday 15th July 2025 the Kent Battle of Britain Museum Trust at Hawkinge (www.kbobm.org) held a Memorial Service at the ‘Last of The Few – Paddy Hemingway’ Memorial in the Grounds of the Museum to commemorate the life of Group Captain John ‘Paddy’ Hemingway DFC who sadly passed on 17th March 2025 and was our last remaining Battle of Britain airmen. The Memorial Service saw ‘Paddy’s’ friends and family gather from across the world to mark the passing of an incredible man and included the nephew and great nephew of James Marshall. It also gave Dave an opportunity to show his relations the excavated remains of the Hurricane he baled out of on 30th August 1940, eighty-six years ago today.

Please 'like', 'share' and ‘comment’ and help us commemorate and remember another of 'The Few.'

Many Thanks....

30/08/2026

Amongst the Anniversaries of being 'Shot down on this day in 1940' at the Kent Battle of Britain Museum Trust at Hawkinge (www.kbobm.org) was Sergeant Dennis Noble of No.43 Squadron. He was shot down at 11.50 am on Friday 30th August 1940, eighty-six years ago today. His aircraft, a Gloster built Hurricane Mk.I, Serial No. P3179, smashed through the pavement and road at Woodhouse Road, East Sussex, carrying its twenty-year old pilot, Sgt Dennis Noble, to his death. He was buried in his hometown of East Retford, Nottinghamshire, or so it was thought.

The Southern Counties Aviation Club, under the leadership of Keith Arnold, excavated the site in November 1996. Dave Brocklehurst MBE, Chairman, Historian and Volunteer of the Kent Battle of Britain Museum Trust at Hawkinge was invited along to aid in the recovery work, as his background was civil engineering, and had been involved with countless aircraft recoveries since the late 1970's.

With full permission and licenses from the MOD, RAF, Brighton and Hove Council and statutory authorities, and in the knowledge that Sgt. Dennis Noble had a grave in East Retford, the recovery was undertaken over remembrance weekend, 8th and 9th November.

During the second day of the recovery, human remains were unearthed and immediately reported to the Police, who in turn informed the coroner. Permission was granted to carry on with the excavation under the supervision of the Police, so that all the remaining human remains could be recovered. Sgt. Dennis Noble’s parachute was also recovered, and this was found to be riddled with bullet holes, indicating that he was probably dead before his Hurricane impacted with earth.

A Coroner’s Inquest followed on 18th December 1996 relating to Sergeant Dennis Noble and both Keith Arnold and Dave Brocklehurst MBE were summed to appear and give evidence. In summing up the Coroner, Dr. Donald Gooding, said; ‘these days we are regaled by the talk of heroes and really, I don’t think people know what they are talking about. These heroes get large sums of money for kicking soggy lumps of leather about. These are just one type of what today are called ‘heroes.’ They are not heroes. Dennis Noble is a hero.’ We couldn't have put it better ourselves!

The substantial remains of Sgt. Noble’s Hurricane are on show in the excellent Tangmere Aviation Museum but the Kent Battle of Britain Museum Trust at Hawkinge also has a large display, including many items from his aircraft, commemorating Dennis’ short life, together with items donated by his family.

For further information on the Museum, please visit our excellent website: www.kbobm.org

Please 'like', 'share', ‘comment’ and help us commemorate one of 'The Few.'

Many Thanks...

29/08/2026

Today, Saturday 29th August 2026 is always a special day in the Kent Battle of Britain Museum Trust (www.kbobm.org) at Hawkinge diary and particularly as we remember our dear and late friend, Sergeant William James 'Bill' Green, who was shot down in combat over the Elham Valley, near Hawkinge, eighty-six years ago.

Bill famously baled out injured at 20,000 feet, fell nearly 19,800 feet before unravelling and deploying his parachute, and landed at Mill Hill Farm, Ottinge, whilst his Hurricane smashed to earth in Ladwood, Acrise.

Bill was a staunch supporter of the Museum and was a very close friend of Dave Brocklehurst MBE (the Museum Chairman, Historian, and more importantly proud volunteer) for over twenty-five years. David Duker (who runs our Twitter Page with Jonny Cracknell) was a friend of Bill's for nearly five years and came to be a volunteer due to Bill. David Duker has gone on to Found 'The Tally Ho Project' which was inspired by Bill.

Since 1984 Dave B (the year after he found and excavated his Hurricane) has visited the crash-site of Bill's Hurricane in Ladwood, Acrise, and to coincide with the anniversary of the crash at 7.20pm. So this evening was Dave’s 43rd Anniversary (and Mitch’s very first one) of visiting the crash-site on the anniversary of Bill being shot down!

Sadly, Bill died on 7th November 2014, and for the previous twenty-one years Dave B, had always visited the crash-site on the anniversary and rang Bill to wish him a 'happy anniversary' of such a close call!

In 2015 the volunteers at the Museum, together with the Yvonne and Keith Goldup, erected memorial plaques to Bill, on the side of a barn that overlooks the field where he landed, and were unveiled by Bill's daughter, Ann. (Sadly Ann passed in 2023 from a short battle with cancer).

Since Bill's passing, Dave B has held a two-minute silence in his memory and from 2015 he then travels the short distance to Mill Hill Farm at Ottinge, where Bill landed by parachute.
Bill touched many lives and none more than the two Dave's. Ten years ago, we held a 'Bill Green Memorial Day' at the Museum and were joined by Bill's son Mike and daughter Ann, together with their respective partners.

This evening Dave and Mitch visited Mill Hill Farm first and was very pleased to be welcomed by Yvonne and Keith Goldup as usual. From there they travelled the short distance to Ladwood and walked up to the crash-site in time for 7.20pm and where they held a short 2-minute silence in Memory of a much-loved man and personal hero too many.

Please 'like', 'share' and ‘comment’ and help us commemorate one of 'The Few'

Thank you…

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