The Airmen's Stories - P/O P Kennett

Peter Kennett, of Bexhill-on-Sea, joined the RAFVR about June 1939 as an Airman u/t Pilot. He was called up on 1st September, completed his training, was commissioned and joined 605 Squadron on 30th September 1940. He went on to 3 Squadron on 17th October 1940 and later served with 46 and 17 squadrons.

In late March 1941 Kennett sailed in HMS Ark Royal  for Malta. He flew off the carrier on 3rd April and joined 261 Squadron. Eight days later he and Sgt. PH Waghorn intercepted a Ju88 and may have shot it down. They were then jumped by Me109's and both shot down into the sea. Kennett escaped from his Hurricane, Z3036, and was seen swimming but by the time the rescue launch reached him he was dead.

Kennett was 21 years old and is buried in Capuccini Naval Cemetery, Malta.

(Malta photographs courtesy of Mike Eastman at www.whirlwindfighterproject.org)