The Airmen's Stories - P/O P J Kearsey

Philip James Kearsey of Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, was born on 23rd July 1920, the son of Frederick James Kearsey (1891-1967) and Emma Gertrude Kearsey (nee Dalton 1891-1979).

He was educated at the Practising School, he won a scholarship in 1930 to Pates Grammar School where he studied until 1936. He represented the school in swimming and rugby.

Moving to St. Pauls Teacher Training College, he also became involved with the Scout movement, qualifying as a Kings Scout.

His elder brother Albert had earlier joined the RAF and Philip, by now known as 'Pip', joined the RAFVR about July 1939 as an Airman u/t Pilot. Called up on 1st September 1939, he completed his training at 11 FTS, was commissioned, converted to Hurricanes at 5 OTU and joined 607 Squadron at Turnhouse on 9th October 1940.

Kearsey moved to 213 Squadron at Tangmere on the 26th. He went to the Middle East in late 1940 and on 29th January 1941 flew a Hurricane to Malta and joined 261 Squadron there.

Kearsey was shot down and killed in Hurricane V7121 on 26th February, defending Luqa airfield against a bombing attack. His body was not recovered.

Kearsey was 20 and is commemorated on the Malta Memorial.

Kearsey's portrait and additional research courtesy of 'Held in Honour: Cheltenham and the Second World War'

by Graham Sacker via Pat Kearsey.