Kenneth Frank Cornwell

A Pilot Officer with the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Kenneth died on 29th of January 1944 aged 20. 

Kenneth was born at Norwich in 1923, a son of Sydney Frank and Dorothy Olive Cornwell. Kenneth’s father was a teacher at Church Road Boys’ School before working at Roman Hill Senior Boys’ School. By 1939 his family were living at 36 Kirkley Park Road.  

Kenneth was a Navigator and flew his first sortie with served with 166 Squadron on 22 September 1943. Kenneth was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, London Gazette 21 January 1944, with the following citation:
Pilot Officer Kenneth Frank CORNWELL (168642), Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, No. 166 Squadron.  
Pilot Officer Joseph HORSLEY (161592), Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, No. 166 Squadron. 

These officers were navigator and pilot respectively of an aircraft detailed to attack Berlin one night in December 1943. Soon after crossing the enemy coast one of the aircraft's engines became useless. Pilot Officer Horsley continued his mission, however, being greatly assisted in reaching the target at the prescribed time by excellent navigation on the part of Pilot Officer Cornwell who, despite the fluctuations in height and speed displayed great accuracy. In spite of intense light anti-aircraft fire, Pilot Officer Horsley displayed great persistence and made three runs over the target before releasing his bombs. Considerable height had been lost and one of the starboard engines was hit and caught fire; the artificial horizon and the directional gyro were also rendered useless. Two engines were now unserviceable. Nevertheless, Pilot Officer Horsley flew the damaged aircraft to base. On the homeward flight, Pilot Officer Cornwell proved his skill in extremely difficult circumstances and his faultless navigation contributed materially to the safe return of the bomber. These officers, who have completed many sorties, have invariably displayed a high degree of skill, courage and devotion to duty. 

On 29 January 1944 Kenneth was a member of the crew of a Lancaster III bomber, number ND382 AS-Z, that took off from Kirmington on a night-raid on Berlin. The aircraft was shot down by a night-fighter and crashed at Fretzdorf near Bonn. All of the crew were killed. 

WITH THANKS TO: Malcolm Barrass