Memorial details

Memorial type
Board / Plaque / Tablet
District
Gravesham
Town
Gravesend
County
Kent
Country
England
Commemoration
Second World War (1939-1945)
Maker
Mr. Gordon Newton (Mason)
Ceremony
  • Dedicated
    Date: 2nd March 2003
    Attended by: Rev. Group Captain Richard Lee/Ron Neudegg local historian/ATC cadets/local Clergy/Dignitaries
Lost
Not lost
WM Reference
49525

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Current location

Roadside at the entrance to the Cascades Leisure Centre former RAF StationVESEND
Thong Lane
Gravesend
Gravesham
Kent
DA12 4LG
England

OS Grid Ref: TQ 66897 71776
Denomination: Undefined

View location on Google Maps
Description
Rectangular black tablet set in a rough stone and brick wall with incised badge of squadrons in upper right and left corners. In lower left corner is image of plane with SD N on it , and lower right corner shows image of plane with LZ on it. Lettering in white.
Inscription
RAF GRAVESEND/ 1939-1944 / THIS MEMORIAL COMMEMORATES THE SITE OF THE FORMER ROYAL AIR FORCE STATION/ WHICH SERVED A CRUCIAL ROLE IN THE DEFENCE OF THE UNITED KINGDOM DURING WORLD WAR II./ The original airport called GRAVESEND LONDON EAST covered all of the Riverview Park Estate. The airfield was extended on the East of Thong Lane in 1942/43./it originally served as a civilian airport and flying school. At the out break of the war the RAF requisitioned the airfield to strengthen fighter command requirements./In the summer of 1940 the skies above Kent witnessed the greatest ariel battle ever fought and seen by the British public. the "BATTLE OF BRITAIN"/took place between the 10th July and the 31st October 1940 and RAF Gravesend played a major role as one of the most active fightr stations/with 501 Squadron (Hurricanes) and 66 (F) Squadron (spitfires) flying almost non stop to repel and eventually defeat the Luftwaffe.
Inscription legible?
yes
Commemorations
  • Second World War (1939-1945)
    Total names on memorial: 0
    Served and returned: 0
    Died: 0
    Exact count: no
    Information shown: Undefined
    Order of information: Undefined
Components
  • Tablet
    Measurements: Undefined
    Materials: Granite
  • Wall
    Measurements: Undefined
    Materials: Stone/brick
Listing information
Condition
Trust fund/Scholarship
No
Purpose: Unknown or N/A

This record comprises all information held by IWM’s War Memorials Register for this memorial. Where we hold a names list for the memorial, this information will be displayed on the memorial record. Please check back as we are adding more names to the database.

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© WMR-49525

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