Spitfire at Bentley Priory

Image: © Marathon Taken: 11 Apr 2022

The original Priory housed a cell of Augustinian Friars believed to be founded by Ranulf de Glanville in 1170. He was the first Englishman to be killed in the Crusades. The Priory was dissolved in the 1530s. After 1766, the house was built on higher ground to the north of the site of the original Priory. In the late 18th century, Sir John Soane was brought in to extend and refurbish the house. At the end of the 19th century it was converted into a hotel but this failed financially and from 1908 until 1924 the building was a girls' boarding school. From 1926 until 2008 it was owned by the Royal Air Force and during the Battle of Britain it was the headquarters of Fighter Command. The Air Chief Marshal, Sir Hugh Dowding, was based here as was the Operations Room. In 2013, Bentley Priory Museum was opened, focusing on Bentley Priory's pivotal role during the Battle of Britain and Sir Hugh Dowding, as well as many others. This Spitfire on the north side of the Museum belonged to Cyril (Bam) Bamberger who flew with 610 and 41 Squadron. His service record is shown on a nearby information board - see also https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7146902.

Images are licensed for reuse under creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0