Pilot Officer Peter Frank Kennard-Davis

Peter Frank Kennard-Davis  was the son of Captain Frank Edward and Frances Amelia Kennard-Davis, of East Beach, Selsey, Sussex although he was born in Kensington on 24 February 1920 ; nephew of Mr. F. G. Howe, of Esher, Surrey. He was educated at Thames Nautical Training College, Greenhithe, Kent, intending to join the Royal Navy, however a problem with his eyesight prevented this, subsequently he worked for P&O prior to joining the RAF. In February, 1940, magistrates dismissed a summons of careless driving against him after he collided with two of a party of five cyclists who emerged from a side road in front of his car. 

His father, Frank Edward Kennard-Davis, had been born in Argentina and served in the Royal Field Artillery during the First World War, until a wound forced him to leave active service, he then joined the staff of the British Embassy in Madrid. After the war he became a professional photographer and exhibited across Europe and the Americas. Following the outbreak of World War Two, he rejoined the military with the Inland Water Transport Group, Royal Engineers. Post-war he was Military Attache to a number of South American countries.

Subsequently Peter took up a short-service commission with the Royal Air Force and was gazetted as an Acting Pilot Officer on 22 July 1939, with a promotion to Probationary Pilot Officer on 13 January 1940. His initial flight training was carried out with 13 Flying Training School at RAF Drem. His first posting was to 110 (Anti-Aircraft Co-operation) Wing at Ringway, which had been established on 1 March 1940 and was in the process of creating a number of Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Units. On 1 May 1940, Peter joined No.7 AACU, the unit being at Castle Bromwich, and formed part of B Flight on its creation on 14 May.
On 18 May Probationary Pilot Officer Kennard-Davis:

“proceeded to R.A.F. Stations Ringway, Andover and B.E.F. by air on ferrying duties.”

He returned to Castle Bromwich from the BEF, by air, with a Flying Officer Weston on 20 May. Kennard-Davis’ other commitments had been interrupted by this assignment as he had been due to be President of Board of Officers for a documentation review on 19 May. Beginning on 21 May 1940 Peter Kennard-Davis frequently appears as Orderly Officer in the Routine Daily Orders posted by the Commanding Officer. Shortly after, on 30 May, he is gazetted as a Pilot Officer. On 20 July 1940 Pilot officer P F Kennard-Davis is posted to 5 Operational Training Unit (OTU), at Aston Down, for flying duties. He is reported as one of two Pilot Officers reporting for instruction on that day. At this time 5 OTU is engaged in training aircrew for Blenheims and Spitfires plus Defiant air-gunners. Kennard-Davis’ spell at 5 OTU was brief, lasting only 2 weeks.
Posted to 64 Squadron at Kenley on 3 August, his career was tragically short. Following a mid-morning scramble in 8 August, “Pilot Officer Kennard-Davis abandoned his aircraft which was on fire”. He was admitted to the Royal Victoria Hospital seriously wounded, where he succumbed to his wounds on 10 August. His aircraft had crashed and burnt out near West Langdon.
Peter Frank Kennard-Davis was 19 years old when he died. He was laid to rest in a civil plot at Brookwood Cemetery, Surrey.

Rest in peace Sir and thank you for your service.