Over the years, compulsory purchases by the Government and subsequent land acquisitions and re-acquisitions have meant that the Common has changed its shape and position, and almost doubled in size. The common’s history as an airfield goes back to the First World War when planes were assembled and tested for squadrons in France. It proved an important link in the chain of supply and became established as a permanent Royal Air Force station. The Second World War saw concrete runways being laid and, as headquarters of ‘B’ Sector in the No 11 Group of fighter stations, it was soon playing a key role in the Battle of Britain. Kenley is now the last remaining Battle of Britain fighter station in the southeast to remain in its Second World War form. Evidence of its wartime role has survived and the old blast bays, air raid shelters, officer’s mess and the original runways can still be seen. English Heritage identified Kenley as the "most complete fighter airfield associated with the Battle of Britain to have survived". Demography In the 2011 census, Kenley was White or White British (76.6%), Asian or Asian British (9.7%), Black or Black British (6.8%), Mixed/multiple ethnic groups (4.8%), and Other ethnic group (1.2%). The largest single ethnicity is White British (70.3%). The largest religious groupings are Christians (59.8%), followed by those of no religion (23.4%), no response (7.7%), Hindus (3.8%), Muslims (3.4%), Buddhists (0.7%), other (0.4%), Jews (0.2%) and Sikhs (0.1%). Politics Kenley is located within the parliamentary constituency of Croydon South. The incumbent MP is Chris Philp of the Conservative Party, who was re-elected with 30,985 votes in the 2019 general election. At a local level, Kenley has two Conservative councillors on Croydon Borough Council. Boundary changes at the 2018 Local Elections saw the number of Councillors reduced from three to two. Climate Schools The Hayes Primary School The Harris Primary Academy Kenley Nearest places Purley Coulsdon Caterham Whyteleafe Warlingham Riddlesdown Sanderstead Nearest stations Kenley railway station Purley railway station Reedham (Surrey) railway station Upper Warlingham railway station Whyteleafe railway station Notable current or former residents David Baboulene Douglas Bader Peter Cushing Tommy Eytle Raza Jaffrey Cherry Kearton Des O'Connor Ray Mears Ellie Pearce Karl Popper Allan Stewart Harry Worth Sophie Webber Kit Connor References External links Kenley Residents' Association Welcomes & Uplands Roads Association History of the village of Kenley City Of London - Kenley Common