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Kay, Desmond Hayward Sidley

Date of birth:
February 14th, 1919 (London, Great Britain)
Date of death:
October 9th, 1944
Buried on:
Commonwealth War Cemetery Adinkerke
Plot: E. Grave: 22.
Service number:
42006
Nationality:
British

Biography

Promotions:
?: Acting Pilot Officer;
December 6th, 1939: Pilot Officer on probation;
March 6th, 1940: Pilot Officer;
?: Flying Officer;
November 6th, 1940: Flight Lieutenant on probation;
November 5th, 1941: Flight Lieutenant (war subs.);
?: Acting Squadron Leader.

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Pilot Officer
Awarded on:
June 14th, 1940
Citation:
"This officer has shown bravery and skill in the face of extreme difficulties and dangers. On one occasion, after an engagement, he force landed at Zoute with holes in one petrol tank, then re-fuelled and returned to his base. Later in May, 1940, his aircraft was so badly damaged in an engagement that his air gunner landed by parachute but Pilot Officer Kay succeeded in bringing his aircraft home. He has shared, with other pilots of his squadron, in the destruction of four enemy aircraft and on one occasion attacked twelve Junkers 87's single-handed and probably shot down two."
Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Acting Squadron Leader
Unit:
No. 109 Squadron, Royal Air Force
Awarded on:
October 13th, 1944
Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)

Second DFC received in the form of a bar to be worn on the ribbon of the first DFC.

Sources

  • - The London Gazette of 5th December 1939, Issue 34747
    - The London Gazette of 26th March 1940, Issue 34817
    - The London Gazette of 14th June 1940, Issue 34873
    - The London Gazette of 3rd December 1940, Issue 35005
    - The London Gazette of 23rd December 1941, Issue 35391
    - Fourth Supplement to The London Gazette of 10th October 1944, Issue 36745, dated 13th October 1944
    - Commonwealth Wargraves Commission

Photo