The Airmen's Stories - F/Lt. J C Kennedy

John Connelly Kennedy was born in Sydney, Australia on 29th May 1917, the son of John and Frances Martha Kennedy.

He was educated at St Charles College, Waverley. He joined the RAAF in 1936 and carried out his flying training at Point Cook. He left Australia in July 1937 and transferred to the RAF on a short service commission in August.

Kennedy was posted to No.1 FTS Leuchars for a short flying course after which he joined 65 Squadron at Hornchurch on 19th December 1937. Promoted to Acting Flight Lieutenant, Kennedy was posted to 238 Squadron at Middle Wallop as a Flight Commander on 31st May 1940.

Above: with 65 Squadron

L to R: Unknown, may be 65 Squadron intelligence officer, F/Lt. Gordon Olive, Unknown possibly ground crew, P/O George Proudman, F/Lt. Gerald Saunders, F/O JC Kennedy, F/O John Welford, F/O Herbert Giddings.

After attacking a Do17 over Chesil Beach on 13th July Kennedy's aircraft was attacked by German fighters and he dived towards the coast. As he approached to make a forced-landing on the shore, he stalled and crashed at Southdown, Littlemore trying to avoid high tension cables.

Kennedy, who may have been wounded, was killed in the crash. He was 23 and is buried in Holy Trinity Churchyard, Warmwell.