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Royal Air Force (RAF) Officers
1939-1945

 

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Only RAF officers of ranks below Air Commodore will be shown here in detail.

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E.J. Kain  to  G.E. Kosh
Kain,
Edgar James
"Cobber"
E.J. Kain E.J. Kain
E.J. Kain
E.J. Kain
Son of Reginald G. Kain, and of Nellie Kain, of Wadestown, Wellington, New Zealand.
27.06.1918
Hastings, New Zealand
-
07.06.1940
[age 21]
Choloy War Cemetery, France, 1A.C.8]
(A) P/O (prob)
08.03.1937 [39534]
F/O
21.07.1939
Distinguished Flying Cross DFC
29.03.1940
*
Mentioned in Despatches MID
02.1940
?
* In March, 1940, while on patrol with another aircraft, Flying Officer Kain sighted seven enemy bombers about 5,000 feet above him, and while giving chase well into Germany, he was attacked from behind by an enemy fighter. Showing the finest fighting spirit this officer out-manoeuvred the enemy and although his own aircraft was badly damaged he succeeded in bringing the hostile aircraft down. Thick smoke and oil fumes had filled his cockpit and although unable to see his compass, he skilfully piloted his aircraft inside allied lines in spite of being choked and blinded by the smoke.
08.03.1937


commissioned, RAF (General Duties Branch) [short service commission]
11.1937
-
07.06.1940
73 Squadron RAF
Kean,
Raymond Thomas
R.T. Kean
Son of Michael and Margaret Kean, of Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand.

05.04.1918
Green Island, NZ
-
05.08.1940
(KIA) [age 22]
[New Hunstanton Cemetery, O.52]
(A) P/O (prob)
29.10.1938 [41295]
P/O
29.08.1939
Distinguished Flying Cross DFC
09.07.1940
*
* The award followed an early morning shipping strike off the Elbe Estuary, where the Hudson was attacked by three ME109’s. E.A. Deverill (at that time a Sergeant) was the navigator in the three-man crew. The gunner, Townend, was killed after shooting down one fighter and Deverill and the pilot (P/O R T Kean) were injured. Deverill helped the pilot fly the plane back to Bircham Newton. Deverill was awarded the DFM, Kean the DFC.
08.1938


joined RAF
29.10.1938
 
 
commissioned, RAF (General Duties Branch) [short service commission]



training at Prestwick (Scotland), in Shropshire and at Kings Lynn
?
-
05.08.1940
pilot, 206 Squadron RAF
[the Hudson P5133 from Bircham Newton stalled and crashed at Syderstone, Norfolk, at 18.05 hrs after a search patrol]
Keary,
John D'Arcy
J.D'A. Keary
(09?).1905
Lymington, Hampshire
-
Sq.Ldr. 01.04.1937
       
Kellaway,
Winston Herbert
W.H. Kellaway
Son of ... Kellaway, and ... Endacott.
16.11.1915
Honiton district, Devon
-
04.1994
Torbay district, Devon
P/O (prob)
22.07.1942 [49688]
(WS) F/O (prob)
22.01.1943
(A) F/Lt.
?
(WS) F/Lt.
22.07.1944
F/Lt.
01.07.1946
Sq.Ldr.
01.01.1951 (retd 01.10.1957)
DSO
30.03.1943
*
DSO
09.05.1944
**
Air Force Cross AFC
10.06.1954
?
* Flight Lieutenant Kellaway has completed a large.number of operational 'sorties. In March, 1943, he was captain of an aircraft detailed to attack Hamburg. Shortly after the target had been bombed, the aircraft was caught in a cone of searchlights and subjected to heavy and concentrated anti-aircraft fire. The aircraft was hit - many times, sustaining very severe damage. A considerable quantity of fuel was lost from holed tanks in both mainplanes. The starboard outer engine failed shortly afterwards and the propeller was feathered. As the English coast was crossed the port outer engine also stopped. Though all petrol gauges were now reading zero, this engine was restarted and Flight Lieutenant Kellaway then effected a 'masterly landing at the nearest airfield. This officer has achieved a fine record of sustained. gallantry and has been a source of inspiration to all with whom he has come into contact.
** This officer has completed a third tour of operations and has continued .to display, the highest standard of skill and bravery. Notable amongst his achievements on his last tour are five attacks on Berlin, missions which he completed with great skill and determination. His example has been outstanding and' has done much to foster a high standard of morale throughout the squadron. His record is worthy of the greatest praise.
22.07.1942
 
 
commissioned, RAF (General Duties Branch) [emergency commission]



12 Squadron RAF (flying Fairey Battles in France 1940 and then Wellingtons from Binbrook)



149 Squadron RAF (flying Stirlings from Lakenheath)



617 Squadron RAF (flying Lancasters from Scampton from 1.7.1943 until a flying accident on 5.8.1943)



630 Squadron RAF (flying Lancasters from East Kirby)



post-war he was involved with the introduction of the English Electric Canberra into 231 Conversion
Unit at RAF Bassingbourn in the '50's
Kellett,
Richard
R. Kellett
see: RAFweb.org
12.10.1905
East Stonehouse, Devon
-
03.01.1990
Hastings and Rother, East Sussex
P/O
30.07.1925 [16177]
F/O
30.01.1927
F/Lt.
05.11.1930
Sq.Ldr.
01.04.1937
(A) Wg.Cdr.
?
(T) W/Cdr.
01.03.1940
W/Cdr.
01.10.1946, seniority 01.10.1941
(A) Gp.Capt.
?
Gp.Capt.
?
(A) A/Cdre.
?
(T) A/Cdre.
01.01.1946 (retd 10.04.1947)
Commander of the Order of the British Empire CBE
01.01.1943
prisoner of war
Distinguished Flying Cross DFC
16.01.1940
*
Air Force Cross AFC
28.04.1939
?
Mentioned in Despatches MID
07.01.1947
?
* This officer displayed courage, coolness and determination in leading his squadron and a combined formation of aircraft in operations over an enemy naval base in December, 1939, which resulted in the infliction of heavy casualties on enemy aircraft. In spite of the formidable opposition by aircraft and ground defences, he so controlled the formation for which he was personally responsible that casualties were slight and by his personal example and cool leadership he won the confidence of all pilots under him.
30.07.1925


first commission RAF



qualified at specialist engineering course
1939
-
1940?
Commanding Officer, 149 Squadron RAF (Mildenhall)



Senior Air Staff Officer, 205 Group RAF
13/09.1942
-
20.09.1942
joined a crew of 70 Squadron RAF as second pilot for a raid against Tobruk (13/14 Sept.); on the return journey the aircraft was force landed and the crew evaded capture until 20 Sept.
20.09.1942
-
1945?
prisoner of war
Kennedy,
William Maxwell Cassilis
W.M.C. Kennedy
?
-
Sq.Ldr. 01.04.1937
      qualified by examination as interpreter
King-Lewis,
Arthur
A. King-Lewis
22.06.1900
-
Sq.Ldr. 01.02.1937
W/Cdr. 01.03.1940
(A) Gp.Capt. ? (retd 04.02.1948)
16.08.1922     first commission
       
Knocker,
Kenneth Duke
K.D. Knocker

Son of Leslie Duke Knocker, and of The Baroness Elizabeth de T'Serclaes, M.M., of Ashtead, Surrey; husband of Susan Knocker.

(03?)1907
Marlborough, Wiltshire
-
03.07.1942
(KIA) [age 35]
[Westernieland General Cemetery, De Marne, The Netherlands, N.474]
Fl.Lt. RAFO 01.04.1936 [28043]
(T) Sq.Ldr. 01.09.1940
W/Cdr. ?
 

 

      Reserve of Air Force Officers
04.1942 - 03.07.1942 CO 214 Squadron RAF
Kosh,
George Edward
"Ted"
G.E. Kosh

Son of Charles and Kate Mary Kosh, of Folkestone.

1923 ?
-
01.07.1944
(KIA) [age 21]
[Hawkinge Cemetery, JJ.B.917]
Ldg.Acm.
? [575060]
P/O (prob)
19.03.1943 [55058]
(WS) F/O (prob)
20.09.1943

 

19.03.1.943


commissioned into the RAF [emergency commission]
?
-
01.07.1944
3 Squadron RAF [crashed at 05.45 with his Hawker Tempest JN765 at House Field, Winchelsea Marsh, Icklesham, Sussex, on a mission to shoot down a V1 flying bomb]


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