On 8th March 1943, eight of Kenley's Spitfires from 403 squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force, set off in the afternoon from Friston looking for 'targets of opportunity' across the Channel..
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.
On 16th February 1943, an afternoon fighter sweep (Rodeo 170) turned into a disaster for Kenley's Canadian wing.
On 13th March 1943, Kenley's 403 squadron had a bad day escorting sixty Flying Fortresses on a bombing raid to the marshalling yards at Amiens..
On 18th March 1944, 403 squadron RCAF, lost Flying Officer Richard Wright Denison, an experienced pilot on his second tour of operations..
On 4th April 1943, 403 squadron were in action escorting Flying Fortresses returning from bombing the Renault factory at Billancourt, Paris.
The 13th March 1943, turned out to be unlucky for Kenley's 403 squadron, RCAF. They were detailed to escort sixty Flying Fortresses on a bombing raid to the marshalling yards at Amiens..
On 25th February 1943, Flying Officer Jack Dudley Edwards, of 403 squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force, was killed in a flying accident over the Canterbury area.
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 15th May 1943, 403 squadron R.C.A.F. lost two more young pilots while escorting a bombing mission to Poix. Pilot Officer William Thompson Lane, flying Spitfire BR986, was shot down in a dogfight at around 5 p.m.
Flight Lieutenant Lyn Bertram Madden had only joined 403 squadron on the 4th May, and was on his first sortie flying Spitfire Mk.IX, (BS246), when he was shot down on 15th May 1943.
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.
Frank Cooper McWiliams was born on the 23rd April 1922 in Nokomis, Saskatchewan. He was the son of William McWilliams, an Irishman, and Mary, his wife, who was English.
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.
On 25th March 1944, 403 squadron RCAF, lost their fourth pilot of the month when F/Lt. Clifford George Pennock blacked out in a climbing turn after pulling out of a dive during a practice bombing run over Kenley airfield.
Lewis Cameron Rowe was born on 22nd February, 1922, the son of William Edgar Rowe and his wife, Viola May Rowe. He had three sisters and the family lived in St.Thomas, Ontario, and attended the Disciples of Christ Church there.
On Sunday 24th October, 1943, the 403 squadron, RCAF, Operations Record Book records the loss of F/L Herbert John Southwood, who went missing in the vicinity of Doullens, France.
George was born 16th January, 1922, in Yorkshire. His Father, Gibson Uttley, a Yorkshireman, was working as a Special Investigator for the Department of Pensions and National Health, in Toronto, when George enlisted in May 1941. His Mother, Ethel Smith, was from Leicestershire.
On 28th January 1944, P/O Claude Weaver DFM, an American flying with 403 squadron, RCAF, was reported as missing after a fighter sortie, bringing to a close a short, but eventful flying career.
On 15th February 1943, Flying Officer Harold Andrew Westhaver and Pilot Officer William Lane, of 403 Squadron RCAF, took off from Kenley to look for targets of opportunity on the ground in France.