 
Dates: 1926 - RAF Bentley Priory was a non-flying Royal Air Force station near Stanmore in the London Borough of Harrow. It was famous as the headquarters of Fighter Command during the Battle of Britain and the Second World War. The RAF Bentley Priory site includes a Grade II* listed Officers’ Mess and Italian Gardens. These, together with the park are designated a Registered Garden Grade II. Originally built in 1766, Bentley Priory was significantly extended in 1788, by Sir John Soane, for the First Marquis of Abercorn. The priory was the final home of the Dowager Queen Adelaide, queen consort of William IV, before her death there in 1849. It subsequently served as a hotel and girls’ school before being acquired by the Royal Air Force in 1926. The latter Royal Air Force station role ceased on 30 May 2008 following the relocation of units to their new accommodation at RAF Northolt. The site has been handed over to Defence Estates, who in turn will pass it to the prime plus contractor for Project MoDEL, VSM Estates, a company formed by developers Vinci and St Modwen who are responsible for developing proposals and the subsequent the disposal of the site to developers who will realise the scheme. Under Supplementary planning guidance agreed in 2007 by London Borough of Harrow the site will include a museum open to the public in the main rooms of the house, recording and interpreting the history of the site and in particular the Battle of Britain and Cold War heritage. The museum is to be run by the Bentley Priory Battle of Britain Trust who are developing the scheme with the support of The Princes Regeneration Trust. The latest plans for the site include the building of luxury flats, built in the grade II* listed mansion above the proposed museum. The site of the Cold War bunker will also be available for public access, though only ground level due to the safety issues of allowing public access to the deep areas. English Heritage surveyed all Cold War bunkers in the UK and decided not to Schedule this particular bunker as an Ancient Monument (though others have been so designated).
Memories of RAF Bentley Priory
RAF Bentley Priory in 1950Written by Derek Alan Beadle Contact this person >>  "I am writing my memoirs and
would be very much like to hear from those whom I served with at RAF Bentley Priory 1950-1951
David Price, Dicky Bird, Phil (the organist) ACW Abdullah
J.? Bamber, Michael Waller, Alec Gardner, Kennith Winterfeldt etc.,
I am fond memories of those times.
I look forward to an early response. " RAF Bentley Priory, in 1970Written by Douglas Richards Contact this person >> "Arriving at RAF Stanmore, the accommodation station for RAF Bentley Priory. Working in SCAH and with The Supply wing especially the old ticker tape machines. That’s the boring bits out of the way. All the Saturdays and w/es out at the various Rugby Internationals. Visiting all the London football grounds. All the mad nights in the NAAFI and the Thursday night dances. Trying to remember all The crazy people we all met Allan Hudd, George Armstrong, Gary, Sue Williams, Chris Cameron. Judith Riley who I keep in my heart still now, how Iwould like to contact her again, all her room mates who’s names I have forgotten. The move to High Wycombe.
"
Forces Reunited Forum Posts involving RAF Bentley Priory
" With the recent changes to the Ministry of Defence record-keeping arrangements as well as the reorganisation of the Public Records Office into the National Archives, the details which appear elsewhere on our site - and the fees payable - are out of date. Pending their update, the following ..."
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" 85 Sqdn Association is celebrating the 90th anniversary of the formation of the squadron with a lunch at RAF Bentley Priory during the summer of 2007. Where is RAF Bentley Priory and what is the nearest place for reasonable accomodation. "
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" Quoting: Peter Randell 85 Sqdn Association is celebrating the 90th anniversary of the formation of the squadron with a lunch at RAF Bentley Priory during the summer of 2007. Where is RAF Bentley Priory and what is the nearest place for reasonable accomodation. Hi Peter, Yet another ..."
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" Jim, My suggestion is to regard him as a casualty, given the date of his death. RAF casualty enquiries are dealt with by: PMA(Casework) Casualty (RAF) Building 182 RAF Personnel Management Agency RAF Innsworth Gloucester GL3 1EZ and: Air Historical Branch (RAF) Building 266 RAF Bentley ..."
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" The Ministry of Defence published the Defence Estates Development Plan 2008 yesterday. It relates foreseen developments in the Forces’ roles and needs and has produced the following list of planned disposals for the next few years: Arnhem Barracks Aldershot RAF Bentley Priory ..."
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