The Airmen's Stories - Sgt. A Kay

Archibald Kay joined the RAF in June 1939 as an Aircrafthand. He later remustered as a WOp/AG and after completing his training he joined 248 Squadron in mid-July 1940.

On 7th August he was a member of the crew of a Blenheim, which ditched in the sea off St. Abbs Head because of fuel shortage. The aircraft was towed into land by a trawler and salvaged. The crew were picked up from their dinghy and landed at South Shields.

On 13th September Kay was aboard Blenheim IVf L9451 WR-V which failed to return from a reconnaissance of the Feje Island/Stadlandet peninsula area of the Norwegian coast. It was claimed by Fw. Dyck of 4./JG77. The pilot, Sgt. WJ Garfield, was killed and is buried at Bergen. Kay and Sgt. BW Mesner were not found.

Kay was 24. He is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial, panel 16.

The CWGC has not recorded any next-of-kin details.

Norwegian Police Officer Magnus Ulland submitted this report:

Coast Pilot Gunnar Forre was on board the SS Union at 10:20hrs. Mr. Forre saw an English aircraft and two German fighters. This was between Holmengra and the lighthouse Utvaer. The English aircraft tried to climb but was attacked by the two German fighters who came in from both sides, the English aircraft being shot down. The aircraft sank at once and no one was saved. No wreckage appeared on the surface and in addition there was poor visibility.

Above image courtesy of Dean Sumner.