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.
Bruce Herbert Nickel was born 30th June, 1921, in Stratford, Ontario, Canada.
"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.
On the afternoon of Thursday 26 March 1942 485 Sqn (RNZAF) flew on Ramrod 17 from Kenley to Tangmere to escort a bombing raid to Le Havre. The Squadron’s Operations Record Book described the operation as a success but on the return leg they encountered enemy aircraft.
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.
Don Lewis was born to Keith Bannatyne Lewis and Doris Lewis on 1 February, 1922, in Hobart, Tasmania.
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.
Junius Lyman Edward Hokan was born in St. Catherines, Ontario, on 4th March, 1922. He invented a navigational device for bomber pilots and is believed to have been the RCAF's first Canadian-born black pilot.
Michael Joseph 'Joe' Sunstrum was born in Markinch, Saskatchewan on 11th September, 1922. He was the second child of Samuel Henry Sunstrum and Mary Frances Sunstrum (nee Cameron).
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.
William Wallace Anderson enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) two days after his first wedding anniversary.
On the afternoon of 25th April, 1942, Squadron Leader "Hawkeye" Wells led the Kenley Wing on Circus 137. Group Captain Corner was shot down and baled out too low over the Channel. Having no known grave, he is remembered on the Runnymede Memorial.
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.
Fred Chandler was the eldest son of Edward and Evelyn Chandler and grew up in Epsom, Auckland, New Zealand.
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."
