Operation: Not known

Date: 31st May 1940 (Friday)

Unit: No. 605 Squadron. 13 Group (motto: Nunquam Dormio - I Never Sleep')

Type: Hurricane I

Serial: L2117

Code: UP-R

Base: RAF Diem, East Lothian, Scotland

Location: North of Folkestone, England

Pilot: P/O. Antonio Simmons Dini 40609 RAF Age 22. Killed

REASON FOR LOSS:

Taking off from RAF Hawkinge but immediately suffered engine failure - the pilot attempted to force land his Hurricane but at low altitude the aircraft trolled over and dived into a road some 6 miles north of Folkestone.

It is thought possible that the young New Zealand pilot may have been overcome by glycol fumes. Unknown why he was still at Hawkinge as the Squadron had moved to Scotland 3 days earlier.

An experienced fighter pilot with 5 claimed as destroyed plus a further 2 shared. 2 others damaged. (various publications differ on this).

Burial details:

P/O. Antonio Simmons Dini. Hawkinge Cemetery. Plot O. Row 1. Grave 3. Born on the 17th January 1918 at Christchurch, the son of Pietro Antonio Dini and of Minnie Florence Dini (nee Moorhouse), of Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand. Mechanic prior to enlisting.

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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