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The Airmen's Stories - F/O P J C King

 

Peter James Christopher King of Farnborough, Warwickshire was born on 28th September 1920, the son of Colonel Harold James King, Royal Artillery, and Elise Mabel King.

He attended Kings College at Taunton and in July 1937 is recorded as passing the entrance examination for an aircraft apprenticeship.

King joined the RAF on a short service commission in September 1938. He was serving with 66 Squadron at Coltishall in early July 1940.

 

Above image courtesy of King's College, Taunton, Historical Collections.

 

 

He claimed a Me109 destroyed on 4th September and although his aircraft was badly damaged in a combat over Dover, he returned safely to Kenley.

King was shot down the next day, 5th September, by Me109s over the Medway. He baled out but was killed when his parachute failed to open. His Spitfire, N3060, crashed into the sea off Hoo Marina.

King was 19. He is buried in St Botolph's churchyard, Farnborough.

 

 

The School's Book of Remembrance records:

Peter James Christopher King was born on the 28th September, 1920. He entered King's as a member of King Alfred House in January, 1935, and left in July, 1937. After leaving school, he joined the R.A.F. and, at the time of the Battle of Britain in the late Summer of 1940, he had reached the rank of Pilot Officer. He was then in one of the famous Spitfire squadrons, and had been over Holland during the German invasion and, later, at Dunkirk. He lost his life in an air battle over London on the 5th September, 1940.

At school, King was a lively and companionable boy who participated with zest in a variety of activities. He played Rugger for the 2nd XV in 1936, and was a member of the Swimming Team in 1935 and in 1936. Later he made a skilful, courageous and daring airman. His Commanding Officer, whose Adjutant King had been for some time, wrote of him in very high terms.

 

    

 

 

    

 


 

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