Bob Ogley gave a talk on The founding of the R.A.F. and the early days of Biggin Hill. Bob is very well qualified for this talk, having written two books on Biggin Hill.
Biggin Hill started life as a wireless testing station in 1917 and became famous between the Wars for developing night flying.
Researching Biggin Hill’s history, Bob had met many of those who served there during the World War II, including a number of the pilots. From their oral histories he gleaned much about Biggin Hill in its glory days as a WWII fighter station. As well as danger, there were more light hearted moments, like the young pilot who was ‘carpeted’ for flying in his W.A.A.F. girlfriend for a party in his single seat fighter! Later, in 1943, there was the party of all parties, when the station reached its 1,000th ‘kill!
Michael Lucas Thanet Branch Chairman