205986 Pilot Officer Kenneth William Hewitt DFM.RAFVR 406 Sqd. from:Cricklewood. London (d.23rd Dec 1944) Kenneth was my late sister's brother-in-law. I only started researching his career after finding his medals in my sister's affects. Kenneth was awarded the DFM whilst serving with 460 sqdr as a Flight Engineer in Lancasters. At that point he was a Sergeant, at some stage he was promoted to Pilot Officer and posted to 582 Sqdr at Little Staunton. On the 23-12-1944 he took off on a raid over Germany (so far target unknown). The aircraft was shot down by fighter and crash landed. Kenneth was the only fatality.
He was 24 years of age. Intend to continue research to find out why he got his DFM. Additional Information: | Having read a lot about the 582 raid on Cologne on de 23rd of December 1944 and having done quite some research, I have come across (in the process) of some footage that may show some of what has transpired. At this moment it is uncertain as to which Lancaster it concerns, but (as far as I am concerned) it can only be PB371 (Palmer's plane), PB120 or PB141 (the plane of your late sister's bother in law). In order to enable to futher detail what is what I need to try and piece together what had happened and how and when the Lancaster's were damaged. Any of the surviving crew of these planes might have referred to these events. Any information might well be helpfull to further resolve this case. Any infomation is apprecited.Hendrik Land
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