The Airmen's Stories - P/O J C Kirkpatrick

James Charles Kirkpatrick was, despite his name, Belgian and serving in the Belgian Air Force when the German attack came on 10th May 1940. He escaped to England in June 1940 and was commissioned in the RAF in July, then being posted to 235 Squadron with Blenheims.

He was posted 'Missing' on 9th October when his Blenheim N3530, operating from Thorney Island, was shot down by Me109's over the Channel.

The bodies of the other crew members, P/O RC Thomas and Sgt. GE Keel, were recovered.

Kirkpatrick is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial and, in accordance with Belgian practice, by a memorial grave at the Pelouse d'Honneur in Brussels.

Runnymede image courtesy of Dean Sumner