The Airmen's Stories - P/O K M Millist

Kenneth Milton Millist joined the RAF on a short service commission in June 1939. He was with 98 Squadron until July 22nd 1940, when he was posted to 4 Ferry Pilot Pool. He went to 5 OTU on August 17th and joined 615 Squadron at Prestwick on September 3rd. He moved to 73 Squadron at Castle Camps on the 18th. On his first flight with the squadron, he smashed his propeller and damaged his port wing in a heavy landing. Millist went to the Middle East with 73 in November 1940. On February 4th 1941 he was shot down in combat with CR42’s over Barce and made a crash-landing ten miles north-east of Benina. He evaded capture and after three days met Australian troops. He then hitch-hiked to Derna and rejoined his squadron. On April 5th Millist shot down a Ju87. Two days later he was killed, circumstances unknown. He was 22 years old and is remembered on the Alamein Memorial. Millist was awarded the DFC, gazetted 4th November 1941 with effect from March 15th 1941.

Photographs courtesy of Colonel C R Romberg RA, British Embassy Cairo