The Airmen's Stories - Sub/Lt. (FAA) I H Kestin

Ian Herbert Kestin, from Hatfield, Hertfordshire, was born on 24th July 1917, the son of Herbert James Kestin (1886-1933) and Isobel Agnes Wilson Kestin (nee Sturrock 1895-1957).

In WW1 his father served in the 5th Battalion Seaforth Highlanders.

He was posted to the 2nd Battalion before the Battle of the Somme opened on 1st July 1916 and took part in the attack on Beaumont Hamel, he was wounded some days later.

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Before the war IH Kestin was an instructor at the London Aero Club and was awarded Aero Certificate 15209 on 28th July 1937.

He joined the Navy on 15th September 1939 and after training at HMS Daedalus and HMS Raven he joined 758 Squadron. In early 1940 Kestin volunteered for a Fighter course and on 27th May was sent on one at HMS Raven.

On 6th May he had become engaged to Dorothy Hipwell of St. Albans.

Kestin was then attached to the RAF on 23rd June and posted to 7 OTU Hawarden. Having converted to Hurricanes he was posted to 145 Squadron on 1st July.

Kestin attacked a Hs126 ten miles south of Hastings on 1st August 1940. His Hurricane P3155 was hit by return fire and went down in the Channel.

The Hs126 was shot down by P/O ECJ Wakeham DFC.

Kestin, age 23, was reported Missing and is commemorated on the FAA Memorial, Lee-on-Solent.