Above postcard, date unknown.

Photo caption reads. Bomb Damage - The King's Arms, after the raid on the nearby RAF Station at Biggin Hill, on 18th August 1940. Landlord, Fred Horwood, said that he could see the rear gunner firing, as his Dornier flew low over the building. The bullet holes in the boot of the car give credence to that alarming observation.

It wasn't all one-way traffic however, as evidenced by the Dornier DO17 which was forced to crash-land near Leaves Green during the same raid in which the King's Arms was strafed.

Notes from Rory Kehow who kindly sent this photograph says:- Due to the great intensity of large-scale Luftwaffe attacks on RAF airfields in Kent and the large losses incurred by both sides, Sunday 18th August became known as "The Hardest Day." The RAF lost circa 30 fighters in action and as many aircraft were destroyed on the ground but in doing this, Luftwaffe losses totalled circa 60 aircraft, with over 150 aircrew killed, wounded, or captured. RAF aircrew losses were 10 pilots killed and circa 20 wounded. Despite its impressive numerical advantage, this comparative rate of attrition, in both men and machines, was ultimately unsustainable by the Luftwaffe.

Above photo 1940, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe."

Above photo from http://www.bigginhill-history.co.uk.

Above painting by Ena Gadds dated 1976.

Above photo circa 2015.

Above photo circa 2015.

Above sign, 2015, kindly sent by Roger Pester.

Maidstone Journal and Kentish Advertiser, Monday 06 September 1869.

Assault with a knife. Frederick Hays, a labourer, residing at Cudham, was charged with the following assault.

James darling, a labourer, residing at Leaves Green, said on the night of 26th August, about 11 o'clock, he was in the "Kings Arms" public house, at Cudham (sic). The prisoner was there at the same time, having an altercation with another man who was having his supper, and after a few words he struck him. Complainant interfered, and said he ought to know better, as the man was a perfect stranger. Prisoner then turned round and said he would strike him, and put himself in a fighting attitude. Complainant pushed him backwards, and he fell against the table. Afterwards he turned to leave the room, when the prisoner got up, and hearing a scuffle behind him he turned, and saw the prisoner with a knife in his hand.

A person named Allburn had hold of him. Prisoner held the knife towards complainant, and said he would do for him, if he couldn't then he would another time. He seized the knife and took it away.

The knife was produced, it was a common pocket knife.

Charles Allburn, living at Leaves Green, said he was in the "Kings Arms" on the night in question and hearing a disturbance in the tap room he looked in. It was dark, as the candle had been knocked on the floor. He (witness) then took a light and saw the prisoner with a knife in his hand, he was getting up from the floor, where he had been knocked down. Prisoner was swearing at Durling, and threatening him with his knife. Witness instantly seized hold of him, and Durling turned around and took the knife out of his hand. Prisoner, who had been knocked about the head and face, said he had been hard at work all day, and called in the "Kings Arms" and asked for a pint of beer. The man who was in the tap room took his beer up and drank it. He then told the man to stand another pot, and asked him for the money to pay for it. Durling then came into the room and interfered, and after a few words knocked him down. He got up, and Durling knocked him down again. He then took his knife out in self-defence, and told Durling if he hit him again he would strike him with it. The last witness came in and seized him by the throat, when Durling took the knife away. He was bleeding very much from the blows he had received, when the policeman came in and handcuffed him, and had it not been for the kindness of Inspector Coleman, he must have bled to death.

In reply to the Bench, prisoner said Durling struck him three times. P.C. Spicer, 166, K.C.C., said he was called into the "Kings Arms" by Durling, who says prisoner had taken a knife out and tried to stab him. He went into the tap room, and saw the prisoner there. He asked if he had tried to stab Durling, and he said he would do it. Prisoner then had not a mark on his face. He took hold of the prisoner when he said he would stab him too.

On getting outside the house he had a tussle with the prisoner, and threw him over, at the same time falling on the top of him, and that was how his head and face got bruised. Prisoner was drunk at the time.

Mrs. Eliza Eagleton, landlady of the "Kings Arms," said she saw the prisoner strike Durling. She also saw Durling strike the prisoner, and saw the policeman throw the prisoner down. She had been very much put out that evening, and did not see the commencement of the disturbance.

Durling, on being recalled, said he did not strike the prisoner, he only pushed him in the chest, when he fell.

The magistrates retired to consider the case, and on returning committed the prisoner for two months hard labour.

Maidstone Journal and Kentish Advertiser, 03 September 1870.

Annual licensing day.

On Mrs. Eagleton, of the "Kings Head," Leaves Green, Cudham, making an application, two convictions were put in against her. The Bench said they would take time to consider whether they should renew the licence or not. Adjourned for 3 weeks.