On 16th February 1943, an afternoon fighter sweep turned into a disaster for Kenley's Canadian wing.
On 27th February 1943, Flight Lieutenant Patrick Terrance O'Leary, of 403 squadron, Kenley, was shot down by FW190's during a fierce dogfight, on an operation to escort bombers attacking an armed ship in the Dunkirk area.
Stanley Wilbur Matthews was born on 29th November 1918 in Winnipeg, Canada. He was the son of William Herbert Matthews, a supervisor at T. Eaton’s department store, and Ethel Rose Johnson.
Flight Sergeant John Desmond O'Connor was born 21st September 1919, in Rotherham, Yorkshire.
On 5th February 1941, Flying Officer Lewis's Hawker Hurricane (P3920) was hit and the engine caught fire. He radioed his position and baled out of his burning aircraft, but sadly, lost his life in the icy waters of the English Channel.
On 16th February 1943, an  afternoon fighter sweep (Rodeo 170) turned into a disaster for Kenley's Canadian wing.
