Things in Kent

Devils Own · 22-04-2006, 10:15 PM

Hi Everybody

I was down below the White Cliffs of Dover at Samphire Hoe today looking up at the gun emplacements and felt that I must start looking into the various installations. I have lived in Kent for about 6 years now and after having a great interest in the Great War have turned some attention to WWII as it is obviously a great place to be. I know there must be heaps of things to see in Kent but would appreciate any advice on the best and most interesting things to get started.

Cheers

Steve

Gage · 22-04-2006, 11:55 PM

Hi Steve. Try some of the old Battle of Britain airfields, like Biggin Hill and Hawkinge, haven't been myself but they are supposed to be well worth a look. Hope this helps.

adrian roberts · 23-04-2006, 02:39 AM

Steve

Not far from Dover, is Manston Airfield, now known as Kent International. It was a bit too close to the enemy to be suitable as a front line airfield - Luftwaffe crews were often sent to bomb for practice as their first mission - but various units were based there, including a Blenheim 1F night-fighter unit (600 sqdn RAuxAF I think) in the BofB.
Eugene Esmonde VC and his flight of Swordfish took off from Manston to attack the Scharnhorst and Gniesenau in March 42; the Station CO G/C Tom Gleave stood at the end of the runway and saluted them as he knew they wouldn't be back.

Nearby, The Spitfire Museum at Ramsgate is said to be good albeit small, but I haven't got there myself yet.

Alternatively, come to SE London/NW Kent, find any residential area of pre-war houses. I guarantee you won't need to drive more than a few streets to find a gap with some newer houses, then the old houses start again; sometimes an old house will have the chimney flues external to the side of the house as though an adjacent house is missing. These gaps will be the site of a V1 or V2 explosion.

Adrian
(Like you, I'm also a WW1 person, active on the GWF [1914-1918.net])

Devils Own · 23-04-2006, 10:30 AM

Thanks.

I might check out Hawkinge. I think my dad may have been there during WWII but I am still trying to find out for sure.

We have done Manston and the museum already. The Museum is actually really very good. Lots of stuff crammed into a small space.

I am really looking for pill boxes, tunnels etc. to have a good snoop around. Dover castle is great.

I am really a WWI enthusiast but WWII is also starting to grow on me. I fire SMLE's and even bought a No.4 last week. I am very impressed with it.

Steve

plant-pilot · 23-04-2006, 11:05 AM

There's also Chatham, and believe me, it's not often I advise someone to go to Chatham, all well within a single day out are the Historic Naval Dockyards, the Royal Engineer Museum and Fort Amhurst, all of which cover a lot more than just WW2, (Napoleonic to the present) but all do have plenty see and experience from WW2 as well.

One tip: The Weather isn't too important at the RE Museum, but a nice day would be a bonus at the other two.

Devils Own · 24-04-2006, 10:56 AM

Hi Plant-Pilot

I agree, the Dockyards are worth going to Chatham for. They are good value too. If you but a day ticket now you can use it as many times as you like throughout the year at no extra cost. I think you need more than a day to see everything.

We need to check out Amhurst next.

Cheers

Steve

Owen · 24-04-2006, 11:04 AM

We had a week camping in Kent last summer.
Went to RAF Hawkinge.http://www.kbobm.org/ Really liked that.

Also Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway.http://www.rhdr.org.uk/rhdr/rhdr.html
They had the world's smallest Armoured train in WW2.(see photo)

Dover Castle was fantastic, the tunnels are amazing.http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/s...onProperty.182

The Battle of Britain Memorial was thought provoking too.http://aeroflt.users.netlink.co.uk/m...b_memorial.htm

Just a few ideas.

22-04-2006, 10:15 PM	#1 (permalink)
Devils Own Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 8	Things in Kent Hi Everybody I was down below the White Cliffs of Dover at Samphire Hoe today looking up at the gun emplacements and felt that I must start looking into the various installations. I have lived in Kent for about 6 years now and after having a great interest in the Great War have turned some attention to WWII as it is obviously a great place to be. I know there must be heaps of things to see in Kent but would appreciate any advice on the best and most interesting things to get started. Cheers Steve

22-04-2006, 11:55 PM	#2 (permalink)
Gage Battle of Barking Creek Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Somewhere in Time Posts: 1,359	Hi Steve. Try some of the old Battle of Britain airfields, like Biggin Hill and Hawkinge, haven't been myself but they are supposed to be well worth a look. Hope this helps. __________________ 'There I stood at the bar, wearing a Mae West, no jacket, and beginning to leak blood from my torn boot. None of the golfers took any notice of me - after all, I wasn't a member!' Kenneth Lee - after being shot down on the 18th August 1940. John McClane: "Come out to the coast, we'll get together, have a few laughs..." Avatar: SOE (F Section) agent Andree Borrel murdered at Natzweiler Camp 6th July 1944.

23-04-2006, 02:39 AM	#3 (permalink)
adrian roberts Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: NW Kent, England Posts: 758	Steve Not far from Dover, is Manston Airfield, now known as Kent International. It was a bit too close to the enemy to be suitable as a front line airfield - Luftwaffe crews were often sent to bomb for practice as their first mission - but various units were based there, including a Blenheim 1F night-fighter unit (600 sqdn RAuxAF I think) in the BofB. Eugene Esmonde VC and his flight of Swordfish took off from Manston to attack the Scharnhorst and Gniesenau in March 42; the Station CO G/C Tom Gleave stood at the end of the runway and saluted them as he knew they wouldn't be back. Nearby, The Spitfire Museum at Ramsgate is said to be good albeit small, but I haven't got there myself yet. Alternatively, come to SE London/NW Kent, find any residential area of pre-war houses. I guarantee you won't need to drive more than a few streets to find a gap with some newer houses, then the old houses start again; sometimes an old house will have the chimney flues external to the side of the house as though an adjacent house is missing. These gaps will be the site of a V1 or V2 explosion. Adrian (Like you, I'm also a WW1 person, active on the GWF [1914-1918.net]) __________________ for heathen heart that puts its trust in reeking tube and iron shard all valiant dust that builds on dust and guarding, calls not thee to guard thy mercy on thy people, Lord (Kipling)

23-04-2006, 11:05 AM	#5 (permalink)
plant-pilot Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 999	There's also Chatham, and believe me, it's not often I advise someone to go to Chatham, all well within a single day out are the Historic Naval Dockyards, the Royal Engineer Museum and Fort Amhurst, all of which cover a lot more than just WW2, (Napoleonic to the present) but all do have plenty see and experience from WW2 as well. One tip: The Weather isn't too important at the RE Museum, but a nice day would be a bonus at the other two. __________________ M3... the ship of the desert 2003

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

23-04-2006, 10:30 AM	#4 (permalink)
Devils Own Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 8	Thanks. I might check out Hawkinge. I think my dad may have been there during WWII but I am still trying to find out for sure. We have done Manston and the museum already. The Museum is actually really very good. Lots of stuff crammed into a small space. I am really looking for pill boxes, tunnels etc. to have a good snoop around. Dover castle is great. I am really a WWI enthusiast but WWII is also starting to grow on me. I fire SMLE's and even bought a No.4 last week. I am very impressed with it. Steve

24-04-2006, 10:56 AM	#6 (permalink)
Devils Own Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 8	Hi Plant-Pilot I agree, the Dockyards are worth going to Chatham for. They are good value too. If you but a day ticket now you can use it as many times as you like throughout the year at no extra cost. I think you need more than a day to see everything. We need to check out Amhurst next. Cheers Steve

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Graves photos required....	Steve Newman	War Cemeteries & War Memorial Research	29	23-01-2008 02:15 PM
Surviving BoB Pilots-Do you personally know any?	spidge	The Barracks	15	25-11-2007 07:32 PM
Royal West Kent photos	Drake	Other research	13	23-06-2006 12:46 AM
Battle of Britain (501 Sqd)	Gage	The War In The Air	12	07-05-2006 09:11 AM
Who had the Best Helmet? Time to liven Things up!	Herroberst	Weapons, Technology & Equipment	69	11-04-2006 06:28 AM