KEN'S CAREER
(Last updated: 18.10.09)
The Promotions
This piece covers the various promotions Ken achieved through his RAF service. I have been able to confirm these details after requesting and receiving a copy of his service record.
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19.11.1939 Enlisted to the RAF and service commenced at the rank of A.C.2
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05.08.1940 Promoted to the rank of L.A.C
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14.12.1940 Promoted to the rank of Sergeant
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01.09.1941 Promoted to the rank of Temporary Flight Sergeant
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01.08.1942 Promoted to the rank of Temporary Warrant Officer
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03.09.1942 Promoted to the rank of Pilot Officer
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03.03.1943 Promoted to the rank of Flying Officer
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03.09.1944 Promoted to the rank of Flight Lieutenant
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02.10.1946 Retained rank of F/Lt, relinquished commission on a/c of medical unfitness
Non Commissioned Ranks
Commissioned Ranks
The Badges
In October 2009 Margaret (Gran) found a number of Ken's badges, here's a selection:
Wings
Warrent Officer Badges Sergeant Badge
The Medals and Campaign Stars
This section covers the awards that Ken received for recognition of service in the war of 1939-45. I had been meaning to add this for many months when Paul Banks contacted me about his friend Joe Doyle F/O in 206 Squadron (See more details in the 'Memoirs' section). Joe had just applied and received his medals which reminded me to check on Ken's medals.
I had a small brown box from Margaret (Gran) that neatly contained the medals and 2 slips of paper. On them were the lists of awards with clear pencil markings against some of them, I knew Ken was not particularly happy with the medals he was awarded and believed he was entitled to more, below you can see '?' indicating his thoughts on the matter...
The back of the slip above 2nd slip
The photograph below is of Ken's medals and campaign stars...
206 Squadron plaque
1939-45 Star War Medal 1939-45 Atlantic Star
The War Medal 1939-45 was one that was awarded to all full-time armed forces personnel that had served at least 28 days service
The 1939-45 Star was awarded to all services in WWII, for RAF aircrew they had to have served a minimum of 2 months in an operational unit
The Atlantic Star was awarded to all services to commemorate the Battle of the Atlantic, for RAF aircrew they had to have served a minimum of 2 months in a specific active operational area on top the service performed to obtain the 1939-45 Star
War Medal 1939-45 1939-45 Star Atlantic Star
Margaret and I contacted the Ministry of Defense Medal Office in March 2008 to understand why Ken hadn't received the Defence Medal and the Air Crew Europe Star. Their response was within the letter below which confirmed Ken should have recieved the Defence Medal and explained why he wasn't entitled to the Air Crew Europe Star.
Response to Medal query
Ken's Ribbon Bar
Ken's Defence Medal and slip
