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.
From Invercargill, he learned to fly privately with Southland Aero Club pre-war, joining the RNZAF in 1939, arriving in Britain with 11 other Kiwis the following year - seven would killed in action, and two more captured.
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.
"Mac" was 21 years old, the son of Robert Taylor McKim, a clergyman, and Mary Annetta Renfrew Gilchrist, of Westfield, New Brunswick.
Flight Sergeant John Desmond O'Connor was born 21st September 1919, in Rotherham, Yorkshire.
Christopher John Drake Andreae was a Londoner. He was educated at Shrewsbury School between 1930 and 1935. He then joined Caius College, Cambridge reading Natural Science.
JAMES EMMETT MCNAMARA of Northcliffe Avenue, Montreal, was the son of Michael John McNamara, a railway employee, and Lucy Mary McNamara (nee. Francoeur).
John Charles Elliott was born in Clinton, Ontario in January 1921. He was the son of Gabriel Milford Elliott and Mary Elliott (nee Glen) and had a sister Margaret.
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.
Hugh was the son of William and Hedwig Dorothea Corner and was married to Emily Vera Corner MD, FRCP, of Gerrard's Cross, Buckinghamshire.
Colin Dunstone Francis was born in July 1921, in Stoke d'Abernon, Surrey. He was the only child of Frank Warner Francis, who served in the Royal Field Artillery during the Great War, and his wife, Emmie Francis. Colin joined the RAF on a short service commission in April 1939.
Pilot Officer Milne was shot down by a BF109 in the Rouen area, while on a reconnaissance sortie. He was flying Spitfire Mk.I P9449.
George Rawson Brown was the son of Walter George Brown, a merchant, and Marjorie Brown (nee. Holland) of Bartonville, Ontario. Both of his parents were born in England but had taken Canadian citizenship. He had one sister, also called Marjorie.
"In all his actions he exemplified the highest ideals of the RCAF and the people of Pouce Coupe may well be proud of his record."
SERGEANT PILOT CHARLES JAMES SQUIBB of 602 squadron RAFVR, was the son of John William J. and Sarah Squibb; husband of Iris Maude Squibb, of Bedfont, Middlesex.
Leonard John Patterson was the son of John and Nina Patterson of Freeland, Oxfordshire. He was shot down by Me.109's east of Hastings on 28th November, 1940.
Lewis Reginald Isaac hailed from Llanelli in South Wales and joined the RAF Volunteer Reserve in the spring of 1939 as an Airman under training Pilot.
Sgt. Green was shot down by a FW190 during Circus 137, on the 25th April, 1942.
Thomas Emrys Westmoreland, son of Thomas Gladstone Westmoreland, a wine and spirit merchant, and Louisa Ann Westmoreland (nee Bray) was born in Huddersfield on 5th June 1913.
On 28th March, 1942, Warrant Officer Rudolf Ptacek of 602 Squadron, RAF Kenley, was reported missing after a "Rodeo" fighter sweep. It was assumed that he had been shot down in the Calais area during a huge dogfight with a large number of FW190's.
