The extensive, evacuated campus of the King’s School, disposed around Green Court in the Cathedral Precincts, was extensively used for both military and civil-defence purposes during Second World War. (Several of these uses are described in greater detail in other entries, but some military uses can only be generally located to the school.) By the end of December 1940 (probably earlier) Canterbury’s Battalion (3 Battalion) of the Kent Home Guard had their headquarters in the Mint Yard at the King’s School – remaining there until at least November 1943. Between late July and the start of November 1941 (and possibly over a longer period) 44 Division Signals had their headquarters at the ‘Kings School.’ The stated Military Grid Reference (R 593763) suggests this may have been in one of the buildings on the north side of Green Court. Walpole House housed a succession of military headquarters during the Second World War – most importantly, perhaps, the Canterbury Sub-District headquarters were here for a period preceding the middle of August 1943. Following the Blitz of 1942, Canterbury was provided with a barrage of twenty-four balloons, the responsibility of 944 Mobile Balloon Squadron. One such balloon was sited in Green Court, and the squadron’s ‘A’ Flight, had its headquarters at ‘Meister Homors.’
Owner : Private
Publicly accessible : No
How accessed for survey :
Tourism Potential :
Condition : unknown
Date of visit :

43 Division General Staff, 01/01/41, War Diary 43 Division General Staff (Unpublished document). SKE15448.

43 Division General Staff, 01/01/41, War Diary 43 Division General Staff (Unpublished document). Ske15448.

44 Division General Staff, 01/01/41, War Diary 44 Division General Staff (Unpublished document). SKE15449.

44 Division General Staff, 01/01/41, War Diary 44 Division General Staff (Unpublished document). Ske15449.

Canterbury Sub-District Headquarters, 01/01/43, War Diary Canterbury Sub-District 1943 (Unpublished document). SKE15447.

Canterbury Sub-District Headquarters, 01/01/43, War Diary Canterbury Sub-District 1943 (Unpublished document). Ske15447.