Operation: Ferry Flight

Date: 26th August 1940 (Monday)

Unit: No. 4 Ferry Pilots Pool (41 Group)

Type: Hurricane I

Serial: V6563

Code: -

Base: RAF Kemble, Gloucestershire

Location: Airfield at Kemble

Pilot: P/O. Leonard William Bennett 41820 RAF Age 24 Killed

REASON FOR LOSS:

On a Ferry Flight from RAF Debden when, coming into land at RAF Kemble at 15:00 hrs turned tightly across wind at low altitude stalled, entering a left hand spin and struck the ground, catching fire - killing the young New Zealand pilot.

Burial details:

P/O. Leonard William Bennett. Kemble Church Cemetery. Sec. Z. Row E. Grave 20. Son of Samuel Francis Bennett, and of Ethel Maude Bennett, of New Plymouth, Taranaki, New Zealand. Grave inscription reads: "In God's Care Till We Meet Again" Note: RNZAF crews relatives were not permitted to have a grave inscription, P/O. Bennett however was serving in the RAF - read more about this here. A total of 235 flying hours logged.

Researched and dedicated to the relatives of this pilot with thanks to the research by Errol Martyn and his publications: “For Your Tomorrow Vols. 1-3”, Auckland War Memorial Museum, Weekly News of New Zealand, other sources as quoted below:

At the going down of the sun, and in the morning we will remember them. - Laurence Binyon
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