User:Pullin' Billies/sandbox/George Kenway

George David Kenway (1 October 1921 - 11 February 1998) was an aviator in the Royal Air Force during the Second World War. During the early years of the war, Kenway was shot down over France, and became a Prisoner of War for the remainder of the conflict until his release in 1945. A total of 4½ (2 shared) aerial victories was achieved by Kenway during combat.

Early Life
George Kenway was born to his Welsh father and British mother Haytham and Caroline Kenway. He is the youngest child of four brothers, all of whom fought in the Second World War, including his oldest brother, the prominent RAF pilot Edward Kenway. He grew up in Swansea, Wales and was educated at John Wood College.

Military Service
Kenway enlisted in the Royal Air Force in October 1939, the week after he had turned 18, largely due to his following of his oldest brothers footsteps. Kenway finished flying training in June 1940 and converted on to the Hawker Hurricane fighter, being assigned to No. 249 Squadron during the beginning of the German Luftwaffe's attack on the United Kingdom. He achieved his first aerial victory in July 1940, downing a German Heinkel He 111. As the Battle of Britain drew closer to its peak in August 1940, Kenway attained another aerial victories and two shared. However on the 13th of August 1940, he was shot down by a Messerschmitt Bf 109 E; Kenway, while attempting to crash land his damaged Hurricane on farmland around Folkestone, collided with a tree and suffered serious blunt trauma and internal organ damage. He was found unconscious by a local farmer whom has seen the aircraft come down on his property, and was rushed to the nearby civilian hospital.

Return to Service and Capture
Kenway required surgery for numerous internal wounds, and was eventually transferred from intensive care after several months. Six months later, in February 1941, he was considered fully recovered and fit for service, and dismissed honourable discharge to return to flying. In March 1941 he finished retraining and was assigned to No. 151 Squadron, where they operated the Hawker Hurricane MkIIb in a night fighter role. Kenway flew several combat sorties with the squadron and attained his final victories on 2 & 13 April 1941 downing a Messerschmitt Bf 110 night fighter on both sorties. Several days later however, Kenway was shot down during a night raid over occupied France, by an unidentified Luftwaffe aircraft (presumably a Bf 109). He bailed out over Calais, France and landed in around 1AM on 15 April. After landing on the ground, Kenway wasn't immediately captured as several German units had followed the burning Hurricane to the north, with Kenway pulling his chute to the south of town. He attempted to reach the coast of France and secure passage back to Britain, moving through the farmlands south of Calais and stealing clothes and food from farms, but when crossing train lines south of the city, he was spotted by a German police officer on patrol who notified local infantry units stationed nearby on guard. Kenway attempted to run but was captured by German forces south-east of Calais.

Prisoner of War
Upon capture, Kenway was sent to a temporary German P.O.W camp while he was processed. During his evasion, he attempted to conceal himself with local populace and removed all flying gear and obvious military uniforms, which caused some confusion among German officials. Kenway was initially identified as a non-commissioned officer, gathering intelligence as a spy in occupied France, and was to be sent to a labour camp, until German intelligence revealed him to be the missing pilot of the Hurricane shot down during the early hours of the night. He then was transferred to Oflag VII-B for 12 months before being moved to Stalag Luft III in April 1942, because of his aircrew status, where he remained imprisoned for the rest of the war.

During his imprisonment at Stalag Luft III, Kenway studied Journalism through the camps library and became an editor for the Kriegie Times, a newspaper published by POWs in Luft III.

Later Life
After release from captivity, Kenway returned to the United Kingdom and received an honourable discharge from the RAF shortly after. He attended Slough College of Further Education (now University of West London), and continued his education in journalism. Kenway worked for numerous newspapers in London and became an editor of the Brighton local newspaper, the Argus, for 10 years before retiring in Dorchester, Dorset. He passed away on 11 February 1998.