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

14/10/2026

Eighty-six years ago today, on 14th October 1940, Flying Officer Ralph Hope of No.605 Squadron was chasing a Heinkel He 111 when he flew into the Inner Artillery Zone. His Hurricane, Serial No. P3107, struck a barrage balloon cable. The Hurricane crashed at Tennison Road, South Norwood, carrying Ralph Hope to his death. He was 27 years old and was cremated at St. John's Crematorium, Woking.

There is a note in the No.605 Squadron's Log regarding the death of F/O Ralph Hope. It says, 'Apart from being the only original No.605 Squadron Auxiliary still in the Squadron, his charming personality and quiet sense of humour and stability will be much missed by everyone in the Squadron.'

Ralph Hope was born in Birmingham on 18th July 1914. He was related on his mother's side to Neville Chamberlain. He was educated at Eton and New College, Oxford. Hope won his Racing Blue in 1935 and rowed bow in the University Boat Race. In 1936 he joined the family firm, which manufactured metal windows and in 1937 went to the firm’s subsidiary in Jamestown, New York. Whilst there, Hope started flying and returned to England in 1938 with his Pilot’s License. Soon after his return, he joined No.605 Squadron AUXAF at Castle Bromwich and was called to full-time service on 24th August 1939. On 9th May 1940 he shared in the destruction of a Dornier Do 17.

F/O Ralph Hope was shot down at 2.20 pm on Saturday 28th September 1940 whilst at the controls of Hurricane, Serial No. P3838. He baled out of his stricken fighter, sustaining a bruised right shoulder when he hit the tail of his aircraft. He also bruised his leg when he landed in an oak tree at Ticehurst. His Hurricane crashed to earth at Bewl Bridge, Lamberhurst. Items excavated from the crash-site before the area was flooded to make Bewel Water are on display in the Operation Block at the Kent Battle of Britain Museum Trust at Hawkinge (www.kbobm.org).

Today the loss of Flying Officer Ralph Hope is marked with a simple sign, including two poppies and states, ‘Lost on this day in 1940.’

On the anniversary back in 2015 a visitor commented on the similarity of the loss of the RAF Puma Mk. II Helicopter in Afghanistan a couple of days earlier, with the loss of five people, including two RAF personnel. It was reported at the time that the helicopter hit the cable of an untethered observation balloon causing the crash.

RIP Flying Officer Ralph Hope, and Flight Lieutenants Alan Scott and Geraint 'Roly' Roberts
For additional information on the Kent Battle of Britain Museum Trust at Hawkinge please have a look at and browse through our excellent and informative website: www.kbobm.org

Please ‘like’, ‘share’ and ‘comment’, if you so wish.

Many Thanks as always…

13/10/2026

This photograph was taken in the late 1950's of RAF Hawkinge. The buildings that were still standing at this time had survived the ravages of the Second World War including countless attacks by the Luftwaffe, dropping thousands of bombs and not forgetting the cross-channel shells that hit the airfield during the same period.

The majority of the Hangars and Flight Sheds were destroyed and only No. 1 Belfast Trussed Hangar Roof was rebuilt, as can be seen in this photograph.

If you look closely at the photograph, you can still make out five bomb craters of various sizes on the site where No. 3 Belfast Trussed Hangar Roof once stood. This was destroyed on an attack by Erprobungsgruppe 210 on the evening of 12th August 1940 and stood directly alongside were the Museum Car Park is.

The site where the Kent Battle of Britain Museum Trust (www.kbobm.org) now stands can be seen centre left.

If you would like to visit the Museum this Season (2026) you have just under four weeks before we close for our winter maintenance and improvement period.

We are open Tuesdays to Sundays (closed Mondays) until and including Sunday 8th November 2026, 10 am to 4 pm (with last entry by 3 pm).

The Kent Battle of Britain Museum Trust will re-open on Good Friday, 26th March, for the 2027 Season.

Please 'like' and 'share' and show your support for the hard-working volunteers.

Many Thanks...

12/10/2026

Today, Monday 12th October 2026, the Volunteers at the Kent Battle of Britain Museum Trust at Hawkinge (www.kbobm.org) remember amongst several others, Sergeant Peter Roy Charles McIntosh, who was shot down in combat off Dungeness eighty-six years ago this afternoon, Saturday 12th October 1940.

Here is his story: -

Peter Roy Charles McIntosh was born at Crofton Park, Brockley on 9th August 1920, the son of John Gilchrist McIntosh (1884-1947) and Florence McIntosh (nee Brown 1884-1966). His childhood was spent at 220 Lower Addiscombe Road, Croydon. He worked for the Eagle Star Insurance Company and joined the RAFVR on 7th February 1939 as an Airman u/t Pilot becoming in the progress 745004 AC2 McIntosh, PRC.

Called to full-time service on 11th September 1939 and promoted to Sergeant, McIntosh attended an Initial Training Wing and began flying training on 1st January 1940. He was awarded his wings on 21st May and arrived at 6 Operational Training Unit, Sutton Bridge, on 3rd June. He converted to Hurricanes and joined No. 151 Squadron at North Weald, Essex, on 7th July 1940.

Peter McIntosh’s arrival as a replacement was welcomed by the commanding officer, Squadron Leader ‘Teddy’ Donaldson as were the other young men being drafted to his unit which had absorbed so much punishment in France and over the Dunkirk beaches. So many of them were to perish in the next few weeks that Peter McIntosh’s survival seemed miraculous. By 1st September the squadron had fought itself to a standstill, being reduced to ten serviceable Hurricanes and twelve pilots, all of whom were in an advanced state of physical and mental exhaustion. On that day there were withdrawn to Digby for rest and refit, their place taken by No. 46 Squadron.

On 13th September, Sergeant McIntosh transferred to the strength of No. 605 Squadron at Croydon, where on occasional stand-downs he could, perhaps, be with his family including his fiancé, Patricia Ridpath. One month later, on 12th October, a day of widespread mist and fog, the Jabos carried out a number of hit-and-run attacks on the capital. At about 12.30pm Peter McIntosh was sent upon by Messerschmitt Bf 109Es off Dungeness and shot down, his Hurricane Mk. I, Serial No. P3022, crashing on the edge of Littlestone Golf Course, New Romney.

Initially Sgt. McIntosh was posted as ‘missing’ and dissatisfied with the ‘missing’ report sent to his mother and father, Peter’s father and elder brother drove to the area and, after questioning several local eyewitnesses, found the wreck of Hurricane Mk. I Serial No. P3022 with Peter’s body still inside. Ten days later Peter McIntosh was laid to rest in St. John’s Churchyard. Shirley, Croydon.

The crash-site of his Hurricane Mk. I, Serial No. P3022, was excavated by a team of Kent Battle of Britain Museum Trust Volunteers, including a 13-year-old Dave Brocklehurst, back in 1982 and items found during the recovery are displayed in the Operation Block in the Museum and form a lasting Memorial to Peter R. C. McIntosh’s short life.

A couple of months ago the Museum was very pleased to have a visit from James Betts. James chatted to Dave and informed him that his mother, Patricia Ridpath had been engaged to Peter McIntosh at the time of his death. James was unaware of this till after his father death and when he was looking through some old family photographs he came across a couple of photographs of Peter McIntosh. One photograph was taken with Peter, Patricia and Peter’s sister Mary McIntosh. James asked who the man in the photograph was and she said it was her fiancée but was killed in the Battle of Britain. James very kindly shared these photographs with the Museum with the request that, if possible, they could be added to his display board before the anniversary of his death, which we were only too pleased to do.

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

Please ‘like’, ‘share’, ‘comment’, but more importantly remember…

Many Thanks as always…

11/10/2026

Written by the late great 'Paddy' Barthropp who flew with No.602 Squadron during the Battle of Britain. After a short spell with No.610 Squadron 'Paddy' was posted to No.91 Squadron at Hawkinge on 5th February 1941.

-If You Would Know a True Hero, read on-

A Battle of Britain Fighter

During 1940 he had total control of a 400mph fighter and eight machine-guns, with no radar, no autopilot, and no electronics.
At the touch of a button, he could unleash 13 lbs of lead in 3 seconds. He had a total of 14 seconds of am******on. He needed to be less than 250 yards from the enemy to be effective.

He and his foe could manoeuvre in three dimensions at varying speeds and with an infinite number of angles relative to each other.

His job was to solve the sighting equation without becoming a target himself.

His aircraft carried 90 gallons of fuel between the engine and his chest.

He often flew above 35,000 feet with no cockpit heating or pressurisation.

He endured up to six times the force of gravity with no ‘G’-suit.

He had no crash helmet or protective clothing other than ineffective flying boots and gloves.

He had about 3 seconds to identify his foe and slightly longer to abandon his aircraft if hit.

He had no ejector seat.

Often, as in my case, he was nineteen years old. He was considered too young and irresponsible to vote, but not too young to die.

His pay in 1940 was the equivalent of just under 0.60 new pence per day.

Should he have had to pursue his foe over the enemy coast and be shot down and taken prisoner, a third of that sum was deducted at source by our grateful Government and never returned.

However, every hour of every day was an unforgettable and marvellous experience, shared with some of the finest characters who ever lived.

Wing Commander ‘Paddy’ Barthropp, D.F.C., A.F.C.

No 602 Squadron

'Paddy' was a great friend and supporter of the Kent Battle of Britain Museum Trust at Hawkinge, and we have several items donated by him on show in the collection.

On one of his visits to the Museum in the early 1990's some of the Volunteers (Mike Llewellyn MBE and Dave Brocklehurst MBE) joined 'Paddy' for a lunch in our local Pub, 'The Cat & Custard Pot.'

As 'Paddy' walked in the front door of 'The Cat' he looked around and in a very loud voice said, 'F--k me, they still have the same curtains.'

For further information on the Kent Battle of Britain Museum Trust at Hawkinge, please visit our excellent website: www.kbobm.org

Please 'like', ‘share’, and ‘comment’, if you so wish.

Many Thanks....

10/10/2026

Today, Saturday 10th October 2026, marks the eighty-sixth Anniversary of one of Maidstone’s most tragic wartime incidents, when a Hurricane crashed into houses in Albion Place. The pilot, Sergeant Harold Henry Allgood, together with two adults and six children, all from the same family, were tragically killed. It meant in a single blow that Arthur Wooding’s had lost not only his wife and six children, but also his granddaughter. The Wooding’s did have two other adult children, who were luckily not in the house at the time of the crash.

The civilians, all killed at No. 61 Albion Place, were buried at Maidstone Municipal Borough Cemetery. The house belonged to Doris Woods, aged 29, (wife of Charles H. Woods) who was there with her seventh month old baby, Patricia Audrey Woods. Her mother, Elizabeth Annie Wooding, aged 49, of 4 Astley Street, (wife of Arthur E. Wooding) was also staying at the house with Mrs Woods’ five youngest siblings; Vera Margaret, aged 18, Brenda Naomi, aged 14, Mavis Patricia, aged 12, Sylvia, aged 10, and Brian, aged 6, having been forced out of their own home in Astley Street after it was severely damaged during an air raid on 2nd September.

The pilot of the Hurricane was Sergeant Harold Henry Allgood. Harold was born in Cambridge in 1915 and educated at the Central School there. He left in July 1931 and at the age of sixteen joined the RAF at Halton as an apprentice metal rigger in September. Here he took full opportunity of the sports facilities on offer and especially in the sphere of swimming, winning the Barrington / Kennett trophy in 1932, and senior events in 1934.

Allgood later volunteered for pilot training and was accepted on 13th September 1938 but did not begin his training until 1939.

He was at No.11 Fighter Training School, Shawbury, Shropshire from 25th September until 6th April 1940. After converting to Hurricane’s, he was posted to No. 85 Squadron at Lille-Seclin in France on 14th May. Two days later, on the 16th, he was detailed to fly Hurricane, Serial No. L1898 (which appears to have been unserviceable and due for repair) to Merville when he was shot down shortly after take-off (possibly by Oberleutnant Bolz, Staffelkapitän of 5th Staffel of Jagdgwaffe 52) crash-landing and overturning north-west of Lille. Allgood was wounded, or possibly injured his collar bone in the landing, and is believed to have been hospitalized. This would also explain why, when No.85 Squadron was withdrawn to Debden on the 21st, Allgood was not with them.

Allgood was officially reported back on June 22nd and re-joined No. 85 Squadron at Martlesham Heath in early July. On 11th August 1940 he claimed a Messerschmitt Bf 109E, but the same day returned to base with his mainplane damaged by a Messerschmitt Bf 110, engaged over a convoy off the east coast.

He escaped unhurt from Hurricane, Serial No. P2827, when he crashed making a dusk landing at Church Fenton on 9th September. The Hurricane was damaged but repairable. (It is also of interest to note that this Hurricane had been previously damaged in its starboard wing in combat over Portland at 10.40am on Sunday 11th August 1940. The pilot then was Sergeant Henry J. Marsh who returned the aircraft to base and was unhurt. Two days later, on 13th August, he was posted ‘missing in action’ in combat over Portland. He was twenty-seven years old). Allgood was posted to No. 253 Squadron at Kenley on 28th September.

At 15.20 hrs on Thursday 10th October 1940 nine Hurricanes of No. 253 Squadron took off from RAF Kenley. Sergeant Allgood taking up the position of tail-end Charlie. Thirty minutes into the patrol the squadron were at approximately 20,000 feet over the Eastern outskirts of Maidstone when one of the aircraft, Serial No. L1928, went into a steep dive and crashed into Nos. 59 and 61 Albion Place, Maidstone, the aircraft immediately bursting into flames. The pilot, two adults and six children were killed. Both husbands were at work at the time of the crash. The cause of the crash was never established but possibly oxygen failure. Witnesses said he appeared to attempt to level out just before hitting the ground, but it was too late.

Sgt. Harold Allgood’s body was carried out of the wreckage wrapped in his parachute and buried on 22nd October in St Mark's Burial Ground, Grantchester, Cambridge. He was twenty-five years old and the son of James and Florence Greef Allgood of No.3 Merton Street, Cambridge. Sadly, for his family, his brother Edwin was also lost on active service over the North Sea on 29th May 1942 whilst serving on a Liberator, Serial No. AM924, with No. 120 Squadron. He was one of three, out of a crew of seven, lost on a reconnaissance mission searching for the Tirpitz. The Liberator was attacked by three Messerschmitt Bf 109’s and Edwin, an air gunner, was killed before the aircraft ditched in the sea west of Moskenessøy, the southern most major island in the Lofoten Islands, Norway. An inscription was added to Harold’s gravestone: ‘To the memory of his elder brother who has no known grave, Flight. Sgt. Edwin A. Allgood, killed in action over the North Sea, 28th May 1942.’

The crash-site of Sergeant Harold H. Allgood’s Hurricane was excavated by members of the Kent Battle of Britain Museum in 1978 during the redevelopment of the site by Rush and Tomkin Ltd when they were building a new DVLA office on the site. In recent years the DVLA building has been replaced by Coronet House, an office block amid the terraced houses of Albion Place.

Mark Ward, Harold’s first cousin twice removed, organised a memorial service at the crash-site to coincide with the seventy-fifth anniversary of the tragedy. Susan Batchelor, a descendant of the Wooding’s was also in attendance. Mark Ward said: ‘It will be the first-time relatives of the two families have come together since the war.’

The same week Mark visited the Kent Battle of Britain Museum Trust at Hawkinge to see various displays commemorating his cousin, Sgt. Harold H. Allgood, including his medals, swimming trophy, pages from his Logbook and items recovered from crash-site of his Hurricane.

For further information on the Museum and the No. 25 Squadron Mess and Tea Rooms, please visit our excellent website: www.kbobm.org

Please 'like' and 'share' and help us commemorate another one of 'The Few.'

Thank you...

09/10/2026

Today, Friday 9th October 2026, the Volunteers at the Kent Battle of Britain Museum Trust at Hawkinge (www.kbobm.org) remember Sergeant Eric Thomas George ‘Tim’ Frith who was shot down in combat over Ashford eight-six years ago this afternoon, Wednesday 9th October 1940.

Here is his story: -

Eric Thomas George Frith, known as ‘Tim’ to his friends, was born at Cowley, Oxfordshire, on 26th September 1914, the youngest son of Arthur Richard Frith and Sarah Frith (nee Cox). His parents had married in 1909. He had two older brothers Kenneth Arthur and Reginald John and the family lived at No. 31 Hill View Road, St Thomas, Oxford. Their father worked as a Grocery Assistant for the firm Grimbly Hughes & Co. in Oxford.

‘Tim’ was educated at Bedford House School, Oxford, which was a private school that prepared boys for the Oxford Local Examinations. Following this he went to the Southfields Grammar School in Oxford. His father died on 2nd January 1932 at the Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford. The family moved to No. 152 Oxford Road, Oxford, and his mother is recorded in the 1939 Register as being a ‘Confectionary Shopkeeper’.

After leaving school, ‘Tim’ worked as a Record Clerk for Morris Motors Radiators Ltd. before joining the Royal Air Force Voluntary Reserve (RAFVR) around October 1938 as an ‘Airman under training Pilot.’

With war looming and days from Great Britain declaring war on N***s Germany, ‘Tim’ was called up on the 1st September 1939 and completed his training at No.5 Flight Training School Sealand on No.46 Course, which ran from the 1st February to the 26th June 1940. Next, he went to 7 OTU Hawarden on 1st July and after converting to Spitfires he was posted No. 611 Squadron at Tern Hill on 29th July 1940. He was posted to No. 92 Squadron at Biggin Hill on 21st September 1940.

During the morning of 9th October 1940 three waves of Messerschmitt Bf 109s were plotted crossing the English Channel between Dungeness and Folkestone starting at 11.07 hours. They flew over Kent towards London and then turned back over the Thames Estuary.

Nine Spitfires of No. 41 Squadron and twelve of No. 222 Squadron were ordered to 30,000 feet between Biggin Hill and Maidstone. They were only able to reach 22,000 feet when the 40 to 50 Messerschmitt Bf 109s were seen retiring back over the Estuary. No. 17, 92, 72, 253, 501 and 73 Squadrons were also scrambled to patrol the southeast of London. No. 501 Squadron found approximately 15 to 20 Messerschmitt Bf 109s over Gravesend flying 5,000 feet beneath them, but the enemy fighters dived away and could not be caught. The time pilots were expected to operate at great height was bringing a new problem. Pilots from No. 222, 41 and 17 Squadrons reported running out of oxygen after 50 – 70 minutes and 11 Group noted that it was of the utmost importance that oxygen bottles were fully charges and pilots economise there use during the climb.

Sgt. E. T. G. ‘Tim’ Frith (Service Number: 742091) flying Spitfire Mk. Ia Serial No. X4597 of No. 92 Squadron was shot down by Messerschmitt Bf 109Es in combat over Ashford. He managed to bale out severely wounded and badly burnt. His Spitfire crashed to earth at the Ridgeway, Smeeth, Kent at 12.50 hours. Sgt. Frith was taken to the Willesborough Hospital on the outskirts of Ashford, with burns to his hands and face as well as serious wounds. He succumbs to his wounds eight days later on 17th October 1940.

He was probably shot down by Oberleutnant Hans-Ekkehard Bob of 7th Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 54 who claimed a Spitfire as destroyed over Ashford at 13.00 hours.

Sgt. Frith was twenty-six years old and was buried in the Oxford Cemetery. Botley, Berkshire.

A team of Museum Volunteers, including an 11-year-old Dave Brocklehurst, located the crash-site of his Spitfire Mk. Ia, Serial No. X4597, just off the A20 on The Ridgeway, Smeeth, near Ashford, Kent, and excavated the site in 1981.

A display of the artefacts excavated by the Museum Volunteers from the crash-site of his Spitfire are displayed in the Operation Block, at the Kent Battle of Britain Museum Trust, commemorating another young life lost in the defence of Great Britain during the Battle of Britain. Today all three displays boards were marked with two poppies and the words ‘Shot Down on this Day in 1940.’

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

Please ‘like’, ‘share’, ‘comment’, but more importantly remember…

Many Thanks as always…

08/10/2026

Another of those shot down eight-six years ago today, Tuesday 8th October 1940, was Pilot Officer George Henry Corbett of No. 66 Squadron based at RAF Gravesend. The Kent Battle of Britain Museum Trust at Hawkinge (www.kbobm.org) displays the Rolls-Royce Merlin and De Havilland propeller blade assembly from his Spitfire Mk. IA, Serial No. R6779 commemorating his short life.

Andy Johnson, one of our amazing Volunteers, visited the grave of P/O Corbett yesterday afternoon and laid a floral tribute on behalf of all the Volunteers.

Here is P/O George H. Corbett’s story: -

Spitfire Mk. IA. Serial No. R6779
No. 66 Squadron based at Gravesend

This Rolls-Royce Merlin Mk. III engine and De Havilland Propeller blade assembly originate from the Spitfire Mk. IA, Serial No. R6779 of No. 66 Squadron which was shot down in combat with Messerschmitt Bf 109E’s at 9.30am on Tuesday 8th October 1940. The Spitfire crashed and burned out on the Bayford Salting (not Bayford Marshes as often stated), Upchurch, Kent. The pilot, Pilot Officer George H. Corbett was killed. The engine and propeller blade assembly were recovered from the crash-site in 1983 and involved an airlift with a USAAF Jolly Green Giant Helicopter.

Three Spitfires of No. 66 Squadron; Acting Flt/Lt. Oxspring, P/O Corbett, and P/O Cooke had flown down from their base at RAF Gravesend to their forward base of RAF Hawkinge at 07.00 – 07.15 hours. At 8.30am they were ordered to scramble for a ‘convoy and interception patrol from RAF Hawkinge.’ It was during this sortie that P/O George H. Corbett was shot down and killed.

Twenty-year-old Canadian pilot George Corbett was shot down by enemy planes over Charles Barling’s Bayford Dairy Farm at the end of P**t Lane narrowly missing Crown House before crashing onto Bayford Salting. He was found wearing a new watch sent by his parents as a 21st birthday gift.

According to Mrs Barling it was a fine, sunny, morning and they were all out at the diary. A formation of German planes appeared overhead, and Corbett flew down in his spitfire to break them up. Outnumbered, he was shot down into the mud flats. The Barling’s rushed to get a view, Charles Barling then contacted the local vicar, Reverend William Joseph Wright, and gave him a piggyback across the mud so that he could read the pilot the last rites. Corbett had been shot through the head and was dead when Mr. Barling and the vicar arrived. (Another version of the story states that the vicar gave him the last rites and he died shortly afterwards. He had an injury to his forehead). A local boy, Peter Withenden witnessed a party carrying Corbett’s body off the Salting’s to the village.

George Corbett was later buried with full military honours in the village churchyard by the RAF and a stained-glass window was later dedicated to him and fitted in the church of St. Mary’s in oak bay, Canada, his place of origin.

Mrs Barling wrote to the airman’s parents in Canada, sending her condolences and describing how brave their son had been. A short time before the incident that led to his death he had been shot down over Cowden and had parachuted to safety from his damaged plane. He had also shot down an enemy junker aircraft over Chelsfield near Sevenoaks.

The Corbett family kept in contact with Mrs Barling after the war and visited Upchurch several times to see their son’s grave in the village churchyard. a memorial service took place in September 1981 which was attended by George Corbett’s sister from Canada.

George Henry Corbett was born in Saskatchewan, Canada, on 4th November 1919, the son of Henry Claude Corbett and Mabel Corbett. His parents had emigrated there from Tunbridge Wells, Kent, in 1914. The family moving to British Columbia in 1929 and he graduated from High School in 1935. As an avid builder of model aircraft and possessing a keen interest in flying, he took advantage of a family holiday to England to apply to the de Havilland Aircraft Company’s Aeronautical Technical School at Hatfield, Hertfordshire where he learnt to fly. Around studying aircraft design and manufacture, Corbett found the time to join the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve in November 1937 as an airman under training Pilot. Two years later, with his studies completed, he was visiting family in British Columbia when Britain declared war on Germany on 3rd September 1939. He cut short his stay and returned to England, arriving on the Aquitania at Southampton on 30th September 1939.

He completed his training at 9 FTS and then was posted to 7 Operational Training Unit at Hawarden, Cheshire, on 7th July 1940. After converting to Spitfire’s, he joined of No. 66 Squadron at Coltishall on the 26th July. He was shot down by Messerschmitt Bf 109E’s over East Grinsted on 9th September, taking to his parachute at 12,000 feet, suffering a slight injury in the process. His Spitfire Mk. IA, Serial No. N3049, is believed to have crashed at Cowden. On 27th September he claimed a Junkers Ju 88 as destroyed but was hit by anti-aircraft fire forcing him to crash land near Orpington. He was unhurt.

He was shot down and killed on Tuesday 8th October 1940. According to Mike Gunnill, a freelance writer, on that day the Reverend William Joseph Wright (other reports state the vicar was Rev George Henry Gibson or Rev Harcourt Robert Henry Lightburne) was at his church, St. Margaret of Antioch, and witnessed the dogfight. When the Pilot Officer Corbett’s aircraft crashed, the clergyman ran to the site, hoping to provide assistance. But “…it was clear, due to the bullet damage around the cockpit, that George Corbett had been killed instantly before the crash. Wright offered prayers and a blessing and stayed until the body was recovered. The pilot’s own parachute was used as a shroud.”

Back home in Oak Bay, in a cruel twist of fate Corbett’s mother, Mabel, received a letter from her son days after being officially informed that he had been killed. Corbett had tried to comfort his family’s fears in a letter that made light of his two earlier brushes with death and explained the importance of what he was part of.

Corbett wrote, “Having got out OK, my confidence has tremendously increased, and I want you to be confident also. We’re seeing plenty of action here every day and I’ll be back in the fight tomorrow. The Jerries are a long way from getting supremacy in the air, and until they get it, there’ll be no invasion.”

Pilot Officer Corbett’s sacrifice touched people on both continents.

In Canada, his family commissioned a stained-glass window in St. Mary the Virgin Anglican church in Oak Bay, Victoria, British Colombia. The window depicts Pilot Officer Corbett in his RAF uniform. He wears a life preserver and clutches a flying helmet and earphones, and gazes upward at an image depicting the Ascension, when, the Bible teaches, Jesus rose to Heaven following his crucifixion. Amid several impressive stained-glass windows, this one stands out because it is the most modern and because it is the only window dedicated to a member of the local community. On the Sunday closest to Battle of Britain Day, 15th September, a single rose is placed beneath Pilot Officer Corbett’s window.

In St. Mary the Virgin churchyard at Upchurch, Kent, where Pilot Officer Corbett is buried, a community tends to the young Canadian’s gravesite, remembering a life freely given back in 1940.

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

Please ‘like’, ‘share’, ‘comment’, but more importantly remember…

Many Thanks as always…

08/10/2026

Today Thursday 8th October 2026, Tom Dolezal, on behalf of the Free Czechoslovak Air Force Associates and the Kent Battle of Britain Museum Trust (www.kbobm.org) was attending a commemoration at the crash-site of the Hurricane of Sergeant Josef Frantisek and where he was killed eighty-six years today on 8th October 1940 when his Hurricane crashed to earth at Cuddington Way, Ewell, Surrey. At the time of is death, he had claimed seventeen enemy aircraft as destroyed.

For further information of Sgt. Josef Frantisek please click on this link to the excellent Free Czechoslovak Air Force Associates Ltd Website: https://fcafa.com/2010/07/24/josef-frantisek/

At the Memorial at the crash-site of Sgt. Josef Frantisek’s Hurricane a Kent Battle of Britain Museum wreath was laid on behalf of the Museum Volunteers by Group Captain Jim Nickols.

The Kent Battle of Britain Museum Trust, Museum Shop and No. 25 Squadron Mess and Tea Rooms are open until Sunday 9th November 2024 (Remembrance Sunday) when the Museum closes for its winter period of maintenance, restoration and expansion. The Museum Shop and Tea Rooms continue to be open on Fridays and Saturdays during the winter months.

For everything you need to know about the Museum including opening hours etc please have a look at and browse through our excellent and information website: www.kbobm.org

Please ‘like’, ‘share’, and ‘comment’, if you so wish.

Many Thanks as always…

The Kent Battle of Britain Museum

14/10/2026

13/10/2026

12/10/2026

11/10/2026

10/10/2026

09/10/2026

08/10/2026

08/10/2026

Address

Telephone

Website

Alerts

Contact The Museum

Shortcuts

Share

Category

Listing takedown request