W/C George Kennedy RIP

Kyt · Nov 3, 2008

Death of WW2 flying ace, George Kennedy, 96 (From York Press)

A SECOND World War veteran and holder of the Distinguished Flying Medal has died at the age of 96.

Wing Commander George Kennedy was born on April 11, 1912, to Jesse and John, who was killed only three years later at Gallipoli in the First World War.

Educated at Nunthorpe Grammar School, Wg Cdr Kennedy was the train bearer to the then Archbishop of York, Dr Cosmo Lang, who was later appointed Archbishop of Canterbury.

He joined the RAF aged only16 in 1928, receiving his wings in Iraq in 1935.

He then served in Egypt and saw action in the Western Desert and Palestine, where his bravery saw him mentioned in dispatches twice.

In 1936 he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal for gallantry in the face of the enemy and from 1942 to 1945 served in South Africa, training pilots for the war effort.

For this he was later presented with the Air Force Cross and then the King’s Commendation for Valuable Services in the Air.

In 1952, Wg Cdr Kennedy was Senior Personal Staff Officer to Air Vice Marshal Sir Dermot Boyle, who would later become Marshal of the RAF, before spending three years at Bomber Command, at RAF High Wycombe, and then retiring in 1959. He joined English Electric, which is now BAE, retiring in 1977 when he was appointed Deputy Lieutenant of Lancashire.

Throughout his career, his love of sport shone through and he represented the RAF at national and international events at running.

He won the Middle East three-mile cross country championship in 1934, 1935 and 1937, and in 1939 captained the RAF Athletics Team against the Combined Universities.

He was also a qualified football referee and Lawn Tennis Association Coach.

He moved from Lytham St Anne’s in Lancashire to Buckinghamshire last year and he died there on October 15.

His wife, Angela, died in 1988 and he is survived by his sister, Dora, daughter Julie and son David, along with seven grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
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Kyt · Nov 3, 2008

6th May, 1938 (1936 in the article seems to be a typo)

The KING has been graciously pleased to approve of the undermentioned awards for
gallant and distinguished services rendered in Palestine:—

Distinguished Flying Medal.
562564 Sergeant George KENNEDY.

Antipodean Andy · Nov 4, 2008

Can't be too many pre-war medal winners still alive. RIP.

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W/C George Kennedy RIP

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