Air Force Lookups - if you need help

[kyt]

Hi Tony

Unett was killed with 22 Squadron, not 235. 22 was a Coastal Command squadron flying Beauforts.

On this particular day he was part of a crew who took off in the afternoon, with two other Beauforts, for anti-shipping mission off the coast of Holland. The aircraft was (Beaufort N1118) was shotdown by heavy flak (from the ships) at 17.59 and crashed into the sea 25 miles west of Texal.

The crew were:

Squadron Leader D V W FRANCIS
Flying Officer E PENNINGTON
Sergeant R J FARTHING
Sergeant J W UNETT

All except Unett are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial, which implies that his body was washed up later, buried locally and then buried at Sage after the war.

This is the little information I have on him (from The Men of the battle of Britain by Wynn):

Unett, of Exeter, joined the RAF in March 1939 as an Aircrafthand. He later remustered as an airman under-training Wop/AG and with training completed, he joined 22 Squadron in May 1940. He was attached to 235 Squadron from August 4th but was back on operations with 22 by September 3rd

As a Coastal Command squadron, 22 would have been involved during the early part of the Battle of Britainin anti-shipping attacks, and attacks against the barges being collected for the invasion of Britain. By the time of his death the squadron was basically concentrating on attacking small shipping alongthe french and Dutch coasts.

The squadron has an association that would be worth contacting as they may have the squadron ORBs that would detail which missions he was on etc:

http://www.22squadronassociation.org.uk/

K

[dragonq]

Have just found a picture labelled B Flight, 2 Squadron, No 8 ITW, Newquay, October 7th 1942. My uncle, John Adolphe Prior (later 149 Squadron) is the blond man on the end of the back row.

Would be interested if anyone could let me know what the context of the picture is. By the way, if anyone would like a copy at a better resolution, I will be happy to supply it. Please send me a PM.

[percy porter]

Try googling 8 ITW Newquay if you haven't already done so there is a lot of info there.

The pic will be a class photo, the white on the hats indicates they are under training and the instructors are in the centre front row.

ITW = Initial Training Wing.

Alan NZ

[kyt]

ITW was Initial Training Wing. Number 8 ITW  was based at Trebarwith Hotel, Newquay.

ITWs were where initial entries into the RAF began their traing*, and included all the basics of military training like marching etc. But also included academic subjects like maths, navigation etc. If they passed they eithr then went to an Elementary Flying School, usually in Canada or Observer/Air Gunnery School.

Here is a good example of what an ITW was like:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/ww2peopleswar/stories/26/a3130426.shtml

*If thy had been selected for aircrew training. Otherwise they went to a Ground Training School

EDIT: Alan beat me to it

[exeter dweller]

Hello Kyt

I have just found your thread and wonder if you can find any information for the following person John Francis Xavier McKenna.

Family stories in my Wife's family say he is related to my Wife's family. I have not found definitive proof as yet.

Per his birth certificate John Francis Xavier McKenna was born on 20/12/1906 at 9 Ruvigny Mansions Putney. Father John Charles Xavier McKenna Mother Elizabeth Birbeck McKenna nee Terry.

Per the internet Francis X McKennna was the Commandant of the Empire Flying School based at Boscombe Down. I have contacted Qinetiq who now run the facility at Boscombe Down who confirm that he was killed whilst test flying a Mustang aircraft. I found the details on the internet but cannot put my hands on the print out I made at the time. Following his death The Mckenna Trophy was named in his honour. If I can confirm the family connection I have an open invitation to one of the annual dinners held at Boscombe Down when that year's winner is awarded the McKenna Trophy.

I know TSGT Francis X McKenna died on 22/04/1944 and is buried at the Cambridge American Cemetery Cambridge England. The details state he entered service from Pennsylvania.

I have also found details of his funeral at Times on line.

I wonder if you can confirm any details in your resources that might mention any RAF service during WW2. I am a bit concerned that John Francis Xavier McKenna (per birth certificate) is not the same person as Francis Xavier McKenna may explain why he is buried in the American Cemetery and why he entered the service from America.

I am unable to request his Service Records as I cannot confirm (at the moment) who is the next of kin.

Thanks in advance

Gary

[kyt]

Hi Gary

I'm afraid you are mixing up two different McKennas.

Technical Sergeant Francis X. McKenna belonged to 754th Bomber Squadron of the United States Air Force. He was killed when his aircraft (B-24 Serial Number: 42-52353) was shotdown over England by a German night fighter. He was from PHILADELPHIA and was born in 1922. He enlisted in the USAAF in 1942.

John Francis Xavier McKenna, as you stated was killed when his Mustang (Serial Number KH648) crashed due a failure on the wing. This McKenna had been the RAF since at least 1926 (that is the first London Gazette entry). He took over as Commandant of ETPS in 1944.

http://www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2709969

He was a pilot with 23 Squadron (RAF) in 1930. In 1932 he was transferred to the Experimental Section, Royal Aircraft Establishment  in Farnborough, which is understandable as he had spent the last two years representing the RAF in all sorts of flying displays and competitions.

He was awarded the Air Force Cross in 1939 (before the start of the war). Unfortunately, I do not have any more information of his movements between 1932 and 1944, but it sounds like he was on the experimental side for most of that time. I have a book on Boscombe somewhere - when I locate it I shall have a look through.

I don't know if any of this helps. I shall keep looking and get back to you if I find anything more.

K

[exeter dweller]

Hello Kyt

Thank you for your quick response.

Thank you for clearing up the two McKennas. I had not thought of searching on the CWGC site as I wrongly assumed as he did not die in combat then he would not be buried in a CWGC grave.

I look forward to hearing from you with any further information you can find.

Reards

Gary

[kyt]

All deaths for military personnel, whatever the cause of death, and all civilians killed by enemy action, are listed on the CWGC. So always worth a look 

K

[Tony55]

Hi again kyt,

sorry for the delay in replying but thanks very much for Your quick response and thanks very much for the information and putting me right on his squadron number and the link!   

i'll certainly get in touch with the association and see if they have any more information.

once again thanks very much.

Best wishes, Tony