The Airmen's Stories - P/O M A King

Martyn Aurel King was born on 15th October 1921 in West Mersea, Essex.

He was the son of Dr. George Edwin King, a medical missionary, and his second wife, formerly Ivy Ethel Wallis. Both GE King’s marriages had taken place in China and he would die there by drowning on 5th September 1927.

MA King attended the prep (from 1927) and boys (from 1931) schools at Chefoo School in northern China, founded by the China Inland Mission. He was Captain of Boats and a member of the Football Xl. After leaving school in 1938, he returned to the UK and took a business course.

He joined the RAF on a short service commission and began his initial training course on 14th August 1939.

He completed his training and arrived at 5 OTU Aston Down on 13th May 1940.

After converting to Hurricanes he was posted to 249 Squadron at Leconfield on 9th June. He was shot down by enemy fighters over Southampton on 16th August. He baled out but was critically injured when his parachute collapsed during his descent.

He was taken to the Isolation Hospital in Southampton but died shortly after admission.

His Hurricane, P3616, is believed to be that which crashed at Toothill, near Lee.

As a result of this engagement F/Lt. JB Nicolson was awarded the VC.

Although his CWGC headstone states that his age was 19 it is believed that he was in fact 18 and most likely the youngest airman engaged in the Battle..

He is buried in All Saints' churchyard, Fawley, Hampshire.