The Airmen's Stories - P/O P Kennett

Peter Kennett was born on 26th May 1919 in Slough, the son of Thomas Kennett and Nellie Vida Kennett (nee Baggs).

His father was born in Paddington, London, and attested for the 2nd County of London Yeomanry on 7th August 1914. He was discharged as ‘Medically Unfit’ on 21st August 1914 and went on to be appointed Assistant Town Clerk.

****************************

Peter was educated at Windsor House School, Slough and Cranbrook. At the latter he was a member of the Officer Training Corps.

He was employed as a Bank Clerk with the National Provincial Bank when he joined the RAFVR in June 1939 as an Airman u/t Pilot.

Kennett was called up on 1st September, completed his training, was commissioned and joined 3 Squadron at Turnhouse at the beginning of September. He went on to 605 Squadron on 30th September 1940 at Croydon before returning to 3 Squadron, now at Castletown, on 17th October 1940.

He flew in various scrambles with the squadron before being posted to 46 Squadron at North Weald in November 1940. Kennett moved with the squadron to Digby in December and flew in several patrols before being transferred to 17 Squadron at Martlesham Heath on 21st December 1940.

In late March 1941 Kennett sailed in HMS Ark Royal for Malta. He flew off the carrier on 3rd April and joined 261 Squadron at Ta Kali.

Eight days later a reconnaissance Ju88 approached the island escorted by twelve MC200s, CR42s and some Me109s. Kennet and Sgt. PH Waghorn, in new Hurricane IIc's Z3036 and Z2904, intercepted the Ju88 and were subsequently credited with destroying it. However they were immediately bounced by the fighters and shot down into the sea.

Kennett got out and was seen to be swimming vigorously. However there was a long delay in sending out a rescue launch as the raid was still on, and he was dead when eventually picked up. Waghorn was also killed.

The two men had attended Cranbrook School a year apart.

Kennett was 21 years old and is buried in Capuccini Naval Cemetery, Malta.