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Re: mysterious kent crash
Hi All,
It seems fairly certain,that the crash of a Spitfire at Biddenden,was the one that killed Sgt Kean NZ after combat at around 17.45 on Sat 17th May 1941
Sat 17 May 1941
Fighter Command
Patrol
54 Squadron, RAF (Southend, Essex - 11 Group)
Spitfire IIA P7833(?) - took off at 1725 as one of a flight to patrol over Maidstone, Kent at 20,000 feet. Shortly afterwards the flight was ordered south to intercept enemy aircraft. As two pairs of the latter came into view below, the Spitfire leader ordered the formation to break and dive upon them. In the ensuing engagement P7833 was shot down, crashing at Biddenden, 11 miles SE of Maidstone. The pilot is buried at Hornchurch, Essex.
Pilot: NZ401390 Sgt Erl Joseph KEAN, RNZAF - Age 28. 24th op.
KEAN, Sgt Erl Joseph. NZ401390 (prev. A401390);
b Livingstone 8 Mar 13;
St Bede's Coll, Chch (Senior Athletic Champ);
company manager - MacDuffs Ltd, Wgtn.
NZ Army/TF 1yr;
RNZAF Levin/GTS as Airman Pilot u/t 4 Jun 40,
1EFTS 1 Jul 40,
1FTS 24 Aug 40,
Pilot Badge [wef 18.10.40] & Sgt 21 Dec 40,
emb for UK & att RAF 6 Jan 41,
3PRC 2 Mar 41,
53OTU (Spitfire) 10 Mar 41,
54 Sqn (Spitfire - 24 ops) 21 Apr 41,
kao 17 May 41.
Hornchurch Cemetery - Sec.A. grave 1346, Essex, England.
Alf
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