The Airmen's Stories - F/O K Holden

Kenneth Holden was born on 27th September 1909 and joined 616 Squadron Auxiliary Air Force in early 1939. He flew his first solo on 26th March.

Called up on 4th September 1939, he completed his training and arrived at 11 Group Pool Sutton Bridge on 26th November.

After converting to Spitfires he was posted to 2 Ferry Pilot Pool in December 1939. He rejoined 616 Squadron on 3rd January 1940.

Over Dunkirk on 28th May 1940 Holden destroyed a Me109 and probably a second and on 1st June he did the same again.

He went to the School of Air Navigation St. Athan on 29th July for No. 1 Fighter Pilots Short Navigation Course, which ended on 23rd August. He rejoined 616 on the 26th.

On 1st September Holden damaged two Me109s and on the 27th he destroyed another. He was appointed 'A’ Flight Commander on 5th November 1940 as an Acting Flight Lieutenant.

In mid-May 1941 he was given command of 610 Squadron, then at Westhampnett.

Holden destroyed a Me109 on 22nd June, damaged two more on 25th and 26th June, destroyed a Me109 and shared another on 6th July and got a probable Me109 on the 10th.

He was awarded the DFC (gazetted 15th July 1941).

Tour-expired, Holden was posted away in November 1941 to the staff at HQ 12 Group. He did not return to operations and was released from the RAF in 1945 as a Wing Commander.

Holden rejoined the Royal Auxiliary Air Force in 1946 and took command of 616 Squadron when it was reformed at Finningley in July 1946. He held the command until 1950.

Holden died in 1991.

He was the elder brother of E Holden.